Colour is the part of a re-roof that is entirely your call, and it will be on the house for decades. In Canterbury the choice comes with a local twist: summers when the nor'wester can push the city above 30 C, winters with around 80 ground frost days a year, and a lot of new subdivisions where covenants on the title can limit what you choose.
This guide covers how COLORSTEEL describes heat and light reflectance, what colour does and does not change in Christchurch conditions, and the checks to make before you order.
Which COLORSTEEL colours are most popular in NZ?
COLORSTEEL does not publish a sales ranking, so any list of the most popular colours is opinion rather than data. What the range does show is a strong lean towards greys and charcoals, alongside traditional greens and reds and a set of whites and pale neutrals.
The current range comes in three finishes: Classic, Low Gloss, which is designed to reduce reflectivity, and Matte, which gives minimal reflectivity. The manufacturer states that its MAXAM product, designed for most New Zealand environments, is available in all COLORSTEEL colours. Our COLORSTEEL colours page shows the full range with each colour's published reflectance values, so you can build a shortlist before looking at real samples.
Does a dark roof make the house hotter on a nor'west day?
Yes, a dark roof absorbs more of the sun's energy than a light one, so the roof surface and roof space get hotter. COLORSTEEL publishes a total solar reflectance figure, or TSR, for each colour, which is the share of the sun's energy the roof reflects rather than absorbs.
Te Ara notes that a nor'wester can push Christchurch above 30 C, and on those days a roof with a low TSR heats the roof space more. How much of that reaches the rooms below depends on ceiling insulation and roof space ventilation, which matter more to indoor comfort than colour. Colour makes the biggest difference on houses with skillion roofs or shallow roof spaces, where there is little buffer between the steel and the ceiling.
The figures below are COLORSTEEL's published values for a spread of the range. Always confirm the current figures with the manufacturer before ordering.
| Colour | Finish | TSR (solar reflectance) | LRV (light reflectance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud | Classic | 69% | 74% |
| Gull Grey | Classic | 57% | 51% |
| Sandstone Grey | Low Gloss | 41% | 27% |
| Thunder Grey | Classic | 29% | 12% |
| Grey Friars | Classic | 26% | 10% |
| Windsor Grey | Low Gloss | 20% | 7% |
| Ebony | Low Gloss | 5% | 5% |
Does roof colour affect frost and condensation?
Only a little. Frost and condensation under a steel roof come from the roof losing heat to a clear night sky, which happens after the sun has set, so the daytime reflectance that TSR measures plays a much smaller part than underlay and roof space ventilation.
Christchurch averages around 80 ground frost days a year, and the airport records about 50 nights a year below 0 C against about 23 in the city centre. On those nights a steel roof can get colder than the air around it, and warm, moist air from the house condenses on the underside. The fix is the right underlay and a ventilated roof space, not a lighter colour. If you see drips on frosty mornings, our roof ventilation service looks at the cause.
A darker roof does warm up and dry off a little sooner once the sun is on it, which can help frost clear from a shaded face. That is a small bonus, not a reason to choose a colour.
Choosing a roof colour?
Book a free measure and we will bring COLORSTEEL samples, check your site and give you a written quote.
Do subdivision covenants in new suburbs restrict roof colour?
They can. Many newer subdivisions have land covenants on the title that limit roof colours or materials, or require approval from the developer or a residents' society before work starts. Check your Record of Title and any covenant documents before you choose.
Canterbury has a lot of new housing. Selwyn was the fastest-growing district in New Zealand at the 2023 Census, Halswell has grown rapidly with developments such as Milns Park, Riverstone and The Fields, and Pegasus is a planned town built around Lake Pegasus. If your home is in a newer subdivision like these, assume there may be a covenant until you have checked. Our page for roofers in Selwyn and Waimakariri covers the other local checks for Rolleston, Lincoln, Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Pegasus.
Older houses have a different check. If the house is a scheduled heritage item or sits in a Residential Heritage Area under the Christchurch District Plan, check what applies with Christchurch City Council before changing roof material or colour.
Does colour affect how long a roof lasts?
The life of a COLORSTEEL roof is set mainly by the product and the environment it is in, not the colour. COLORSTEEL rates sites from mild to extremely severe, and sites close to the sea need checking against those categories so the right product and fixings are used.
Colour does change how ageing looks. All paint finishes weather over time, and the change is more visible on some colours than others. Ask for the warranty terms for your chosen product, colour and site in writing before you order, and keep them with your house records.
Maintenance matters more than shade. Areas the rain does not wash, such as under eaves and around walls, need washing by hand, more often near the coast. If an older roof is sound but faded, roof painting can restore it and is also a chance to change colour.
How do I choose between two colours?
Look at physical samples outside, in morning and afternoon light, held against your cladding and joinery, and view them from the street as well as up close. The manufacturer says on-screen colours will vary from real product colours.
If you are still torn, use TSR as the tie-breaker: the lighter colour will keep the roof space cooler on a nor'west day. Remember that spouting, downpipes, fascia and barge flashings can match the roof or the joinery, and that choice changes the look as much as the roof colour.
- Check covenants and heritage rules first
- Shortlist three colours on screen, then order samples
- View samples outdoors at different times of day
- Compare TSR values if comfort in summer matters
- Decide on spouting and trim colours at the same time
When should you talk to a roofer about roof colour?
Talk to a roofer once you have a shortlist, so samples can be checked against your actual house and the right product confirmed for your site. Cheeky's Roofers brings samples to a free measure and confirms the COLORSTEEL product for your exposure before you commit.
If you are replacing a heavy tile roof, colour choice comes with a bigger decision about weight; our guide to heavy tile roofs and earthquakes explains that side. For new builds and re-roofs in steel, our COLORSTEEL and longrun roofing page explains profiles and products.
Summary
Pick a COLORSTEEL colour that suits the house and passes any covenant or heritage check, and use TSR to judge summer heat. Colour barely changes frost and condensation, so get the underlay and ventilation right as well. Book a free measure and we will bring samples to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change colour when I re-roof?
Yes. A re-roof is the best time to change colour, as long as any covenant or heritage rule allows it. Spouting and flashings can change at the same time so everything matches.
Does a light roof show dirt more?
Light colours can show dirt, lichen and streaks more readily, while dark colours show dust and salt less. Regular washing of sheltered areas keeps either looking tidy and supports the warranty.
Are matte finishes harder to keep clean?
Matte finishes have a softer, less reflective surface. Follow the manufacturer's washing advice for the finish you choose, and avoid harsh cleaners or pressure that could damage the paint.
Does roof colour affect glare for neighbours?
It can. Low Gloss and Matte finishes are designed to reduce reflectivity, which helps where a roof is overlooked by neighbours or sits below a hillside street.
Can I see the colour on a real house before choosing?
Driving past houses with the colours on your shortlist is a good way to see them at full scale. Note the light and the time of day, because the same colour looks different in morning and evening sun.
Our Services
Metal RoofingLongrun COLORSTEEL roofing in corrugate and trapezoidal profiles, rolled to length for your roof.
Re-RoofingA full re-roof replaces your old roofing, underlay and flashings with a new COLORSTEEL roof built to today's Building Code.
Roof PaintingRoof painting that starts with proper preparation: wash, treat, repair and prime, then two coats of roof paint.Read Next
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