Patio Roofing Materials in Perth: Colorbond, Solarspan and Polycarbonate

Roof material is the decision most people get stuck on, and it is the one that changes how the finished space feels more than anything else. The design decides the shape. The material decides whether you use the patio in February. 

One Stop Patio Shop supplies and installs all three across the Perth metro area. This page sets out what each one actually does in Perth conditions, in plain language rather than product names. 

Colorbond is the standard we work in and the material on most of the patios we install. Flatdek, Trimdek and corrugated are all Colorbond profiles, and all the coil comes from BlueScope. 

It is specified because it holds its colour, handles the sun, wind and coastal exposure that Perth throws at it year after year, and comes pre-painted across the full colour range so the roof can be 

matched to the house or deliberately contrasted. 

The trade-off to understand is heat. Colorbond blocks the sun completely, but the sheeting warms through the afternoon and radiates that heat downward. On a shaded or south facing patio you will not notice. On a west facing patio in summer you will. 

These are profiles, not different materials. All four are Colorbond and all four perform the same way thermally. The difference is the look from below and the way the ribs read across the span. 

Flatdek gives the flattest, most contemporary line and is the profile we fit most often. Trimdek have a more pronounced rib. Corrugated is the traditional profile and suits a heritage or federation style home better than a flat rib does. Choosing between them is an aesthetic decision, which is why the showroom is worth a visit. 

Solarspan is the insulated option, built on a Bondor panel with a Colorbond top-skin. It does three things a single skin roof cannot. 

• It stops radiant heat. The insulated core sits between the hot top-skin and the space underneath, so you get genuine shade rather than warm shade. On a west facing patio that is the single biggest comfort decision available to you. 

• It dampens rain noise. The same core absorbs sound, so a heavy Perth downpour is a muted rumble rather than something you talk over. 

• It finishes as a ceiling. The underside is smooth Colorbond, so there is no exposed sheeting and no separate lining cost if you want a clean finish overhead. 

Polycarbonate lets light through. That is the entire case for it and it is a strong one in the right situation. 

The situation is a patio that would otherwise darken an indoor room behind it. If your kitchen or dining area currently gets good natural light and a solid roof would take that away, polycarbonate keeps it. The cost is heat control, because light coming through means warmth coming through. 

A common middle path is a solid Colorbond or Solarspan roof with a polycarbonate strip over the section closest to the house. You keep the indoor light without heating the whole patio. 

Orientation first. West or north west facing and used through summer points to Solarspan. South facing, shaded or used mainly outside the hottest months points to Colorbond. An adjoining room that relies on natural light points to polycarbonate or a polycarbonate infill. 

Budget second. Colorbond sits in the middle and is the sensible default. Polycarbonate is the lowest upfront cost of the three. Solarspan costs the most per square metre and earns it back in comfort across hundreds of summer afternoons over the life of the structure. 

We will tell you which we would put on your block and why, at the free on-site quote. There is a fuller comparison in our guide to Solarspan versus Colorbond versus polycarbonate patio roofing. 

Frequently Asked Questions