Roof painting costs

Is your roof looking a little tired? By painting the roof tiles, you can refresh the look of your roof for a fraction of the cost of installing a whole new one. This could save you a small fortune, and give you a roof that looks brand new. It’s far quicker too.

Roof tile paint is simply coloured paint that helps to seal the tiles. It’s usually used for its aesthetic qualities, as it can transform the appearance of the roof. You can choose your preferred colour, to match the rest of your home and the existing roof tiles.

In this guide, we’ll look at the average roof painting cost. This can vary between roof painting and coating companies, but we’ll cover the main prices you need to know about.

How much does roof painting cost?

The average roof tile painting cost depends primarily on the size of the roof. You’ll also need to factor in any roof repairs or cleaning needed before the coating can be applied and whether any specialist chemicals will be used.

Remember that a significant proportion of the overall cost will be the price of the roof paint itself.

If you’re not sure which products will be needed for your roof, a professional will be able to give you some expert advice.

When costing up your project, remember to factor in extra costs such as scaffolding. This may be required so that the roof coating crew can work safely at height. You may also need a roof survey before work can begin. This is where the roof is inspected (possibly using drone technology) to see what condition it’s in and what work is needed.

The total cost to paint roof tiles on your home may also depend on where you live. For example, it can often be more expensive in London.

Overall, the average roof coating cost is around £1,500 to £3,000 depending on the size of the house.

Labour costs

The labour costs of roof painting will depend on the size of the roof – the larger the roof the longer it takes, and the higher the labours costs will be. On average, you can expect the cost of an experienced painter and decorator to be around £190 per day.

Roof coating cost per square foot

One of the best ways to price your job accurately is to work it out per square foot.

So, how much does roof coating cost per square foot? You can expect to pay between £2.40 and £3.80 per square foot on average. Using the measurements for your roof, you should be able to calculate a rough price to complete the job.

How much does it cost to have your roof cleaned and treated?

If your roof is a little worn out and needs sprucing up before you paint it, you’ll want to get it professionally cleaned and treated. The average cost for pressure washing a roof is about £12 per m2. For a biocide treatment, the cost is around £9 per m2. To find out more, check out our roof cleaning cost guide.

FAQs

Does roof coating work for all roof types?

Roof coating is usually recommended for concrete tiles only. This is because they are durable enough to withstand the treatment, whereas clay and slate tiles may not be. However, an inspection by a specialist roofing contractor is the best way to find out if roof tile painting is suitable for your roof.

What chemicals are in roof coatings?

Roof tile paints and treatments typically contain the following:

• Titanium dioxide (for reflectivity and durability).
• Zinc oxide (to prevent algae and mildew growth).
• Acrylic polymer resins (for a flexible, water-resistant finish).
• Fire retardants (to suppress smoke generation).

What’s the benefit of roof painting?

Roof tile painting doesn’t just give your roof a ‘like new’ look. It also keeps it looking good overall, by cleaning the roof and helping to seal the tiles.

How long does roof tile painting take?

Roof coatings are usually quite quick to apply. On average, you can expect the job to be completed in just a couple of days.

Do painted roof tiles require much maintenance?

Just like painting exterior brickwork, your roof tiles will need to be repainted regularly once done. The good news is that most coatings should last between six to eight years before needing a touch-up.

How long does roof paint last?

Depending on the quality and thickness of the paint, you can expect roof paint to last about 10-15 years.

Can you paint your own roof?

If you’re an experienced DIY enthusiast with the right safety equipment, you might want to attempt painting your roof yourself. However, it can be a tricky job, involves working at a height and you’ll need to be able to spot any damage that needs repairing before you paint. We would always recommend hiring a professional roof painter to do the job.

How much does metal roof painting cost?

The cost of metal roof painting is essentially the same as painting any other roof type. The same cost factors apply to metal roof painting to what we’ve discussed above. You can expect it to be around £1,500 – £3,000 (this includes scaffolding).