Maintenance Reality
Peace of mind
has a price tag.
Your home is one of the biggest investments of your life. Here's what you can realistically expect from each material — from day one to decade five.
Step 1 of 3
Where is
your project?
Your location determines your corrosion zone — the single most important factor in choosing the right metal. Saltwater air degrades some materials 10× faster than others.
or enter suburb / postcode
Step 2 of 3
How long should
it last?
This shapes everything — material choice, coating type, and long-term cost. The gap between cheap and premium often disappears completely over 30–40 years.
20–30 yr
Good performance — with maintenance
Standard painted steel. Visible colour fade and chalking typically begins after 10–15 years in QLD conditions, especially dark colours. Replacement rather than repainting is the realistic outcome at end of life — plan for a full re-roof or re-clad at around 20–25 years in coastal zones.
✓
40–60 yr
Long-term — minimal maintenance
Aluminium (Euramax PVDF / Lorin Anodised). No repainting, no replacement within the building's typical life. Superior coastal performance — the most popular choice for architects who want long-term certainty without the premium of a patina metal.
✓
80–100+ yr
Lifetime — zero maintenance metals
Zinc and Copper. These metals don't fail — they evolve. No coatings to degrade, no replacement ever required. The highest upfront cost, and often the lowest true lifetime cost when you factor in that a standard steel roof may need full replacement once or twice in the same timeframe.
✓
Step 3 of 3
What matters
most to you?
There's no wrong answer — this helps us recommend the right product for your priorities, not just the most expensive one.
How it looks
as it ages
as it ages
I love the idea of a facade that evolves — a living patina that tells a story and looks more beautiful with every decade.
✓
Consistent colour
that stays true
that stays true
I want control over the final look — a specific colour that stays consistent and doesn't change over time.
✓
Best value
over 50 years
over 50 years
I want to understand the real cost — upfront and over time. Peace of mind comes from knowing I made the smartest investment.
✓
Our Recommendation
Approx. Installed Cost
Expected Lifespan
Material Comparison
Not all metals
are equal.
Especially near the coast. Here's how every material we supply scores across the five things that matter most — so you can make an informed decision, not just a budget decision.
| Category | Standard Painted Steel | Unicote Lux PVDF | Aluminium (PVDF/Anodised) | Zinc (VMZINC) | Copper (Aurubis) |
|---|
● Filled dot = stronger performance in this category. Your recommended material is highlighted.
50-Year Cost Reality
The price you see
isn't the price you pay.
In practice, painted steel doesn't get repainted — it gets replaced. By the time you factor in scaffolding, access and labour, full replacement is more economical than recoating. Paint fade and chalking typically starts showing after 10–15 years in QLD; full replacement becomes necessary at around 20–25 years in coastal zones. Premium metals have no replacement event — ever. Adjust your roof or facade area below to see the real 50-year cost for your project.
Project size (m²):
Peace of mind
Ready to move
forward?
Our team works through every project personally — site conditions, corrosion zone assessment, material selection, panel layout and specifications. No obligation.