Roof Paint in South Africa: The Complete Guide

The best roof paint depends on the roof and the goal: use Premium Roof & Wall for a durable, ultraviolet (UV)-stable decorative coat, Fiber Coat to waterproof flat and low-pitch roofs, and prime metal roofs before a topcoat. Concrete tiles take Roof Tile Primer then Premium Roof & Wall; asbestos and fibre-cement roofs are sterilised and encapsulated; and hot roofs take Heat Reflect. This guide matches the right system to every roof and links the full how-to for each.

What is the best paint for a roof?

There is no single best roof paint — the best one is matched to your roof material and whether you need waterproofing or a decorative recoat. Use this table as the starting point:

Roof paint by roof material

• Concrete and fibre-cement tiles. Frail or porous tiles need Roof Tile Primer to bind the surface, then a UV-stable decorative coat of Premium Roof & Wall.
• Metal, IBR and corrugated iron. Remove rust with Rust Remover and degrease industrial fallout, then prime with ZP4 (water-based, sprayable) or a zinc phosphate primer, and topcoat. See the metal & IBR roof guide.
• Flat and low-pitch concrete. These hold water, so they need waterproofing — Fiber Coat, or rubberised SealFlex overcoated for UV. See rubber roof paint.
• Asbestos and fibre-cement. Sterilise with Biocide and encapsulate with Asbestos Fiber Lock — never scrub or pressure-blast asbestos.

How much does roof paint cost?

Roof paint is sold in 5 litre (L) and 20 L, and the 20 L is the economical size for a full roof. The cost of a roof depends on the roof size, the system (a primer plus topcoat costs more than a single coat), and the condition of the roof. Prices move with the range and size, so the live 5 L and 20 L figures for each product sit on the product pages and the full price list. Compare on covered area over two coats, not price per pail.

Roof paint colours

The popular roof colours in South Africa are grey-white, signal grey, basalt grey, anthracite grey and black, plus terracotta on tiled roofs. Colour affects heat: a light roof reflects more sun and runs cooler than black or charcoal. For a dark roof that still stays cooler, use a Heat Reflect grade.

Waterproofing vs a decorative roof coat

Decide first whether the roof needs waterproofing or only a recoat. Premium Roof & Wall is a UV-stable, long-lasting decorative roof and wall coat, but it is not a waterproofing product. Where water sits or leaks — flat roofs, gutters, parapets — use a waterproofing membrane like Fiber Coat or SealFlex. On a sound tiled or metal roof that only needs colour and protection, a decorative coat is enough.

How to paint a roof

Clean the roof, treat moss and lichen, repair cracks and rust, prime the surface for its material, then apply two coats at the correct spread rate. Do not paint in rain or when rain is due before the film dries. The full method is in the how to paint a roof guide.

How long roof paint lasts

A quality roof coating lasts 7 to 10 years in South African conditions, and longer on a well-prepared, primed roof. Inspect annually, wash off dirt and moss, and touch up early. See how often to repaint a roof.

Related guides

• Best roof paint for South African weather
• Rubber roof paint (liquid rubber)
• Best paint for metal & IBR roofs
• Painting an asbestos roof
• Heat reflective roof paint
• How much it costs to paint a roof

Where to buy

Shop the roof range — Premium Roof & Wall, Fiber Coat, Heat Reflect — with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For trade pricing on 20 L bulk orders, call +27 84 985 6141.