FAQS

Metal roofing, steel in particular, is ideal for South East Asian conditions as it is a durable material. Decra's pressed steel tiles are made up of a steel core with a protective zinc-aluminium alloy layer, and more layers of protective coatings making them one of the most durable roofing solutions available.

High quality metal roofs can last for decades, especially if manufactured to international standards such as AS 1397.  There are a variety of factors when looking at roof longevity, including environmental factors like coastal proximity or corrosive environments.  Decra's roof tiles enjoy a generous product warranty encompassing both perforation and surface coating.

There are many benefits to a metal roof over a concrete tile roof.  Decra’s pressed steel tile roofs weigh approximately a tenth of the weight of a concrete tile roof and require fewer materials to support the roof’s weight.  Additionally, the high strength-to-weight ratio, high impact resistance, and unique fixing system make a Decra roof safe and secure against almost anything nature serves up.

Metal roofing is often associated with long-run, corrugated iron, or tray roofing.  However, Decra’s tiles are also ‘metal roofing’ and are made of steel with two coating options: satin finish or textured finish.

Metal roofing in general enjoys great product longevity, durability, and impact resistance, and Decra’s steel tile range has additional benefits for homeowners including a shorter installation time, a great variety of styles and colour options.

Decra’s textured finish is achieved by baking natural stone chips into layers of coatings to provide a robust, durable layer that adds an aesthetic dimension to the roof.  It also gives the added advantages of extra impact protection, and sound dampening qualities.

When choosing a roofing material for coastal homes, a variety of factors must be considered to ensure longevity in harsh marine environments.  Corrosive salt exposure, UV exposure, and wind driven rain are all factors in choosing a roofing material.

Materials like slate have excellent resistance to harsh coastal weather conditions, however, can be extremely expensive and are a heavy roofing material.  Extra structural support may be required to support the weight of this material.  Concrete tile roofing is slightly more affordable, is also durable, yet is a heavyweight material and may require extra support.

Metal roofing, like Decra’s pressed steel tiles, are a lightweight, cost-effective, durable option that is relatively low maintenance.  Decra’s coatings provide UV stability and corrosion protection ensuring a long-lasting finish.

It is best to discuss your specific project with a professional to help select the right product.

There are many factors contributing to the cost of a metal roof in Asia. The cost of a new roof will vary depending on the specific roof design, area the project is based in, the roofing contractor, and the chosen roofing product.  When choosing a roofing material, it is important to ensure your choice is tested and proven to be high-quality and supplied by a reputable company to avoid poor-quality imitation products.

Decra’s roof tiles enjoy a generous product warranty with up to a 50-year warranty for perforation and up to a 20-year warranty for surface coating.

Repainting a steel roof as part of a maintenance programme is highly recommended to prolong the life of your roof.  Be sure to inspect the roof prior to painting to ensure there are no rust issues, and clean the roof before painting. 

For a Decra roof, please see the Decra Maintenance and Roof Care Guide for further recommendations.

While corrugated iron or long run roofs can be costly to replace, metal tile roofs are very easy to repair if a tile is damaged.  A roofer can remove a singular damaged tile and replace it with a new tile, minimising replacement costs.

A Decra metal tile roof is designed to be colour fade resistant using a layer system of proprietary coatings.  The UV-stable paint Decra uses is approximately twice as thick as the coatings on other leading metal roofing manufacturers, ensuring a long-lasting, durable finish.

Penetrating through a roofing material when installing solar panel brackets increases your likelihood for leaks and long-term damage and may void roof warranties.  Decra’s Standard Fastening metal roof tile range has an innovative interlocking solar bracket which allows for solar panel installation without penetrating the metal roof tiles.

In general, roofs should be cleaned annually as a matter of preventative maintenance, including a moss treatment.  However, as a roof ages more frequent cleanings may be necessary.

For Decra roofs, follow the Decra maintenance guidelines. 

Organic growth like lichen and moss is a natural phenomenon that occurs on most permanent outdoor structures including your roof. Its appearance and extent is dependent on local conditions and can even vary on different parts of the same roof. Temperature and humidity, the pitch and orientation of the roof and the location of nearby trees are all possible contributing factors.

Left unchecked, organic growth can cause damage to the surface coating of your roof and can create ‘moisture traps’ that cause corrosion.

It is not recommended to use bleach or other hypoclorite-based cleaners on a roof.  The coatings on roofing, their materials, flashings, and fasteners may react to these cleaners causing damage.  It’s recommended to check with the manufacturer of your roof for maintenance guidelines and compatible cleaning materials.

If rainwater is collected from the roof for drinking, the water connection system should be disconnected from the tank before any chemical cleaning of the roof.

The system should remain unconnected for at least three heavy rainfalls to ensure the removal of any residue.  Alternatively, the roof can be thoroughly hosed down with clean water before reconnection.

Early stone coated metal tiles, known as Decrabond tiles, were popular around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. These metal tiles were made using galvanised steel and stone chip embedded into a bituminous coating.  This design was often copied using inferior materials.  Thanks to innovations in the roofing industry, Decrabond tiles have been superseded by today's pressed steel tiles. Today’s Decra tiles are a superior product with a long product life, high impact and corrosion resistance, and UV stable colours.

When choosing a roofing product, it's important to evaluate the warranty supplied. You should consider the length of the warranty, what the warranty covers, and most importantly, the stability of the company offering the warranty.  As a roof is a long-term investment, the supplier should be able to demonstrate longevity in the market, or the risk is high that the supplier may not be in business if the roof fails.

Decra is a trusted manufacturer of steel roof tiles, with over 65 years making high-quality roofing.  With up to 50 years warranty, Decra's warranties give homeowners real peace-of-mind.