Rooftop Reckonings
During the past three decades, Queensland's population growth has surged ahead with southern immigrants.
That demographic shift also has seen a new market created by people desiring homes similar to what they owned down south. Some builders have obliged - others have adopted a more informed approach.
Homes built in the south are not necessarily suited to south-east Queensland's climate, particularly those that look like hats without a brim - a home without sun protection.
Well designed contemporary Queensland homes have better protection from the sun and summer humidity, the creation of outdoor living areas under the roofline, a floorplan that provides open living spaces, expanses where cooling breezes can flow, optimal solar orientation and far greater energy efficiency - a series of changes achieving far greater comfort levels.
The roof is an important part of smart housing design and Queensland has a long affinity with corrugated iron.
Today Steel roofing is produced by BlueScope Steel which then is formed into different profiles by different roofing firms and sold under a variety of brand names.
The colour of the steel roof will affect its thermal properties - a lighter colour will deflect more heat away from the home.
While some of the long term favourite colours are still here in different names, recent years have seen the choice expand from eight, to 12 and then around 20 roofing colours.
One of the most significant advances in steel roofing has been the application of super-polyester paints.
It is a much hardier painting system that gives far better durability and as a result, has helped push the warranty coverage against perforation out to a period of 30 years. These super-polyesters are almost plastics and are not based on water and pigments. As a result, the colour sticks much better.
The steel roofing now can be perfectly co-ordinated with rain water tanks in a variety of shapes and sizes including the slim-line style that sits under the eaves outside the utility rooms of a home.
