Concrete tiles in Australia

In Australia, "concrete tiles" usually means concrete roof tiles. This page explains what they are, how they compare with terracotta tiles and metal roofing, how they are looked after, and how concrete pavers fit in, with links to manufacturers and state and territory building regulators.

This is a free, non-commercial reference page. It is not affiliated with any business, manufacturer or government body listed, and listing is not an endorsement or recommendation. It sells nothing. Check current details with the official websites linked below before making decisions.

The guide

What concrete tiles are, how they compare with other roofing, where they are used, how they are maintained, and what to know before hiring a roof tiler.

What concrete roof tiles are

Concrete roof tiles are moulded from cement, sand and water, with pigments added for colour. Monier describes its concrete tiles as made from selected concrete, sand and pigments, and Brickworks describes Bristile Roofing's concrete tiles as crafted from sand, cement and water. Both Monier and Bristile Roofing state that they manufacture concrete and terracotta roof tiles in Australia.

Concrete compared with terracotta

Terracotta tiles are a kiln-fired clay product. Monier explains that the colour coating on a concrete tile is decorative only and plays no part in protection or waterproofing, and that concrete tiles fade and take on a matt look over time. On terracotta, by contrast, the colour is fired in and does not fade. Monier does not recommend painting terracotta tiles. In manufacturers' ranges, concrete tiles are generally positioned as the more economical tile option, with terracotta as the premium option.

Tiles compared with metal roofing

Monier notes that concrete and terracotta tiles are heavier than metal sheeting, that a damaged tile can be replaced on its own while damaged metal is replaced as a whole sheet, and that metal roofs near the coast may need hosing down to remove salt. Because a roof's pitch and framing are designed for the original material, Monier advises speaking with a roofing professional, and possibly getting engineering advice, before switching from one roofing material to another.

Profiles, colours and finishes

Concrete roof tiles are sold in several profiles, usually grouped as flat, semi-flat and raised (or curved). For example, Monier groups its concrete tiles as flat (Madison, Cambridge, Horizon), semi-flat (Atura) and raised (Tudor, Elabana), and sorts colours into families from whites and light neutrals through greys and blacks to reds, browns and blues. Bristile Roofing groups its tiles as flat and curved. Choice of profile and colour is mostly about the look of the house, but lighter colours are often chosen to reflect more heat.

Where they are used

Concrete roof tiles are widely used on pitched roofs of detached houses and townhouses, both on new homes and when re-roofing. Concrete pavers are a separate product family used for driveways, paths, patios, pool surrounds and commercial paving; Australian masonry makers also offer permeable and grass pavers. Concrete is also used for blocks, retaining walls and garden edging, which are usually sold by the same masonry companies.

Roof maintenance basics

Monier lists cleaning gutters, downpipes and valleys as the main maintenance task, and suggests checking and cleaning the roof at least once a year, more often under trees. Ridge and hip capping is held in place with mortar bedding and pointing; cracked bedding is a common cause of leaks, and capping can be re-bedded or re-pointed, often with flexible pointing compounds. Moss and lichen can be removed by professional cleaning. Monier notes that respraying a roof is cosmetic and does not repair it. Restoration, an alternative to full replacement, usually combines cleaning, replacing broken tiles, re-bedding or re-pointing and recoating; because a concrete tile's colour coating is decorative, a new coat mainly restores appearance. Roof work is dangerous, and Monier advises choosing experienced and licensed professionals.

Concrete pavers: cleaning and sealing

Concrete pavers absorb liquids and can stain. Brickworks' paving advice is to sweep regularly, clean with a detergent made for concrete, and consider sealing to make cleaning easier and help prevent stains. It advises waiting for efflorescence (a white haze from natural salts) to clear before sealing, sealing only when pavers are clean and fully dry, and keeping traffic off freshly sealed pavers. Follow the instructions of the paver and sealer manufacturers for your product.

Hiring a roof tiler

Licensing of roof tiling work is set by each state and territory and differs between them. In Queensland the QBCC issues a specific roof tiling licence, and in New South Wales roof tiling is a licensed trade managed by Building Commission NSW, with applications through Service NSW. Other jurisdictions license builders and building work through their own regulators. Before hiring anyone, check the licence or registration on the relevant regulator's public register, listed below.

Directory

Australian manufacturers of concrete roof tiles and concrete pavers, and state and territory building regulators. Each entry was checked against its own official website.

What is listed. Only businesses and bodies whose official website could be fetched and checked are included. Ownership is stated only where the official site shows it. The list is not complete and is in no particular order.

Not an endorsement. Listing is not a recommendation. This page does not list installers or roofers, and it is not affiliated with any business or regulator below.

Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement. Links are to official websites as published at the time of checking.

Questions to ask before roof or paving work

Plain questions worth asking a roof tiler, restorer or paving contractor before you agree to work.

What licence or registration do you hold, and what is the number?

Rules differ by state and territory. Check the number on the regulator's public register before signing.

Is the problem with the tiles, the bedding and pointing, or the gutters and valleys?

Many leaks come from cracked capping mortar or blocked valleys rather than the tiles themselves, and the fix is different.

Will broken tiles be replaced with matching tiles, and from which manufacturer?

Tiles can be replaced individually, but profile and colour need to match the existing roof.

Is the coating cosmetic, or does the quote include repairs?

A colour coat on concrete tiles is decorative. Make sure repairs such as re-bedding and replacing broken tiles are itemised.

What products will be used, and will you follow the manufacturer's instructions?

Manufacturers publish installation and product guidance. Ask for product names in writing.

How will roof safety be managed?

Roof work is dangerous. Ask how the contractor will work safely at height on your roof.

For pavers: will they be sealed, with what, and when?

Sealing usually waits until pavers are clean, dry and free of efflorescence, so ask about timing and resealing.

About this page

concretetiles.com.au is a free, non-commercial reference page published by Radiant Life Distributors Pty Ltd, Adelaide. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any manufacturer, business or regulator listed, and listing is not an endorsement. Information was checked against official websites in October 2026; products, ownership and licensing rules change, so confirm current details with the organisations linked above.