Concrete tiles vs clay tiles: which can be painted?
Tiled roofs are the most common roofs on homes and sectional title complexes in Cape Town, and many commercial buildings have them too. Tiles last well, but their surface doesn’t. Tiled roof painting restores the colour and protects the tiles, as long as the roof is prepared properly first. Concrete and clay tiles behave quite differently, so we treat them differently.
Concrete tiles
Concrete tiles benefit most from painting. They’re made from cement and sand, coloured on the surface, and as the colour weathers away the tile becomes rougher and more absorbent. A good primer and roof coating seal the surface, cut down water absorption and bring back an even colour.
Clay tiles
Clay tiles are fired, so their colour runs through the tile and fades far less. Many clay roofs look good for a very long time without paint, and we’ll tell you if yours doesn’t need it. Painting clay can make sense where the tiles have been painted before, are badly weathered, or a complex wants one uniform look. The coating then has to suit clay, because some products don’t bond well to its denser surface, and we’ll explain the trade-offs before you decide.
Why do roof tiles fade and grow moss?
Roof tiles fade because the strong Cape Town sun breaks down their surface colour and any previous coating, year after year. On concrete tiles, the weathered surface becomes porous and absorbs more water during the winter rains, roughly May to August. Damp, shaded tiles then grow moss and lichen, especially on south-facing slopes and under trees.
Moss isn’t just cosmetic. It holds water against the tile, roots into the surface and can block the gaps where water should drain, which speeds up weathering and can push water under the laps.
How we prepare a tiled roof
Preparation decides how long the coating holds. On tiled roofs that don’t contain asbestos, it usually involves:
- Cleaning to remove dirt, loose material and flaking old paint.
- Moss and lichen treatment, so growth dies off at the root rather than just being scraped off.
- Replacing cracked tiles. Broken, cracked and slipped tiles are replaced or reset, because paint won’t hold a cracked tile together.
- Ridge and hip work. Loose ridge and hip tiles, common leak points, are re-bedded and pointed where needed.
- Flashings and valleys. We check where the roof meets walls, chimneys and skylights, and fix failed flashings through our flashing, skylight and chimney waterproofing work.
If the roof needs more, for example widespread cracked tiles or failing battens, we’ll recommend roof repairs first and tell you whether painting is still worth doing.
Some roofs that look like tiles or slates are actually asbestos cement, which can’t be cleaned or prepared at all. If you’re not sure what your roof is made of, mention it at the inspection and don’t let anyone wash it until you know. The rules are explained on painting asbestos cement roofs. For other roof types, see all roof painting services.
Priming and coating
Once the roof is clean, dry and repaired, a primer suited to the tile binds the weathered surface and gives the topcoat something sound to grip. The roof coating then goes on in the colour you’ve chosen, with extra care along ridges, edges and around flashings.
We use Plascon roof coatings, choosing the primer and topcoat to suit the tile and how exposed the roof is. Near the coast, where wind carries salt and grit, and on roofs that take the full afternoon sun, the coating system matters as much as the colour.
Choosing a colour
A repaint is a good moment to change the look of the building. Lighter colours reflect more of the summer sun, while darker colours hide marks and weathering, and we can show you how options look on a roof. In a sectional title complex or a security estate, the colour usually needs approval: we provide the samples the trustees or estate need, and wait for their sign-off before ordering paint.
Commercial, body corporate and home roofs
- Commercial buildings: tiled office parks and retail buildings, painted in sections by working-at-heights compliant teams. See commercial and industrial roofing.
- Body corporates: block-by-block quotes trustees can table, with residents kept informed. See body corporate roofing.
- Homeowners: from older houses in the Southern Suburbs to newer homes in the Northern Suburbs, overseen by Andre or our foreman, Randall. See roofing for homes.
Metal roof too?
If part of your building has an IBR or corrugated roof, such as a garage, carport or warehouse section, we can coat it at the same time. See metal roof painting.
The guarantee
Tiled roof painting comes with a two-year workmanship guarantee from Roof Direct, and the paint carries the manufacturer’s guarantee of up to 10 years, depending on the product.
Get a free tiled roof painting quote
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