ColorBond paint is a type of pre-coated metal roofing and walling product made by BlueScope Steel. It comes pre-painted from the factory with a baked-on coating that protects the metal from the elements. ColorBond is popular for residential and commercial roofing and cladding due to its durability, wide range of colors, and long warranties against chipping, peeling and fading.
Choosing Your ColorBond Color
The first step in using ColorBond is selecting your color. There are over 100 ColorBond colors to choose from in a variety of shades. Popular choices include classic reds, blues, greens and neutrals like black, gray and white. Colorbond colors fall into five groups:
- Classic: traditional and neutral tones like Manor Red, Shale Grey and Surfmist
- Contemporary: bolder and brighter shades like Windspray, Marmalade and Dune
- Matt: low-sheen matte finishes that softly reflect light
- Metallic: pearlescent metallic finishes like Monument, Skybridge and Jasper
- Ultra: high chroma, deep shades with vivid color impact
When selecting your ColorBond color, consider how it will look with the other finishes on your home like brickwork, render and landscaping. Neutral lighter shades help the house blend in, while darker colors make a bolder statement.
Choosing the Right ColorBond Profile
In addition to color, you’ll need to choose your ColorBond steel profile. Common profiles include:
- Corrugated – Wavy, corrugated sheets ideal for patio roofs, sheds, barns and industrial buildings
- Trimdek – Low profile, flat pan sheets for walls, awnings and facades
- K-Panel – Trapezoid shaped panels for walls and pitched roofs
- Custom Orb – Decorative curved sheets with an orb pattern
- Longspan – Large pan sheets for high-span, commercial roofing
Consider factors like visual appeal, spanning capability, weather resistance and budget when selecting your profile. Your cladding installer can help recommend the right profile for your project.
Preparing the Surface
ColorBond steel needs to be installed onto a suitable framework for walls or roofing. The surface underneath should be as smooth and even as possible to allow the sheets to sit flat without flexing or distortion. Prepare the surface by:
- Filling any holes or cracks with exterior grade filler
- Sanding down high points or protrusions
- Cleaning away any dust, dirt or debris
- Painting on a metal primer if required
Having an even, smooth surface will make installing your ColorBond cladding much easier and achieve a flush, seamless finish.
Installing Flashings
Flashings are required at joints, corners, vents and other penetrations to help seal and weatherproof the cladding. Flashings for ColorBond are made from sheet metal and installed before fixing the main cladding sheets. This steps seals and armors potential weak spots so moisture can’t get behind the cladding.
Typical flashings required include:
- Corner flashings
- Window and door flashings
- Roof flashing and capping
- Penetration flashings around pipes and vents
- Junction flashings where roofs meet walls
Getting the flashings right is crucial to preventing leaks and damage. Use sealed rivets and neutral cure silicone at flashing joints for best results.
Fixing the Sheets
ColorBond cladding is fixed onto the framework using exposed or concealed fasteners. Screws are the easiest option for DIYers, while professional installers often use clip or rail systems for seamless finish.
Fixings should:
- Have a minimum penetration into the studs or battens of 30mm for screws and 15mm for nails
- Be placed at minimum spacings according to manufacturer instructions
- Feature neoprene washers to allow for thermal expansion
- Be installed perpendicular to the cladding for best holding power
Work systematically across the area, fixing sheets in a logical order. Start at the lowest point and work upwards for walls, and vice versa on roofs. Take care to keep sheets aligned and joints tight.
Sealing and Jointing
For great looking finish, properly seal joints between ColorBond sheets using:
- Closed joints – Butt sheets tightly without overlapping. Seal the joint with a foam infill strip and neutral cure silicone.
- Lapped joints – Overlap sheets 50mm minimum. Apply sealant between the overlap.
- Expansion joints – Allow for thermal expansion by leaving gaps between sheets. Insert an expansion joint trim and sealant.
Also seal fastener penetrations, flashings and corners thoroughly. This prevents moisture ingress which could cause corrosion and leaks.
Touch Up Painting
Minor scratches or nicks in the ColorBond coating should be touched up with ColorBond touch up paint to protect the metal underneath. Larger areas of damage will need to be repaired by replacing the sheet. Touch up paint is available in ColorBond colors.
To apply touch up paint properly:
- Clean and sand the damaged area to expose a clean metal surface
- Apply touch up paint in thin coats, allowing each coat to dry
- Build up layers gradually until the paint is slightly higher than the surrounding surface
- Feather out the edges of the touched up area
This will blend the touched up section into the existing finish. Keep the paint can to allow for future touch ups if required.
Maintenance
While ColorBond needs minimal maintenance, follow these tips to keep it looking its best:
- Clean annually with fresh water and a soft brush to remove debris and dirt
- Inspect sealants every few years and reapply if needed
- Clean out gutters to prevent overflow stains
- Trim back overhanging trees away from the cladding
- Reapply touch up paint to nicks and scratches
With the proper care, ColorBond cladding will retain its vibrant look for decades to come thanks to its fade and corrosion resistant finish.
Key Benefits of ColorBond
Some of the key benefits of using ColorBond metal cladding include:
- Extensive color range – With over 100 colors to choose from, you can achieve virtually any look
- Long warranties – Backed by warranties of up to 30 years against corrosion and fading
- Low maintenance – Requires very little upkeep compared to other materials
- Durable – Hardwearing finish resists dents, chips and UV damage
- Weather resistant – Sheds rain, hail and snow while resisting moisture damage
- Fire resistant – Meets Australian fire safety standards for external walls
- Versatile applications – Ideal for all roofing and external wall cladding
- Easy installation – Simple to work with using common tools and fasteners
Conclusion
ColorBond can transform the look of any home or building with its vast color options and durable finish. By selecting the right color and profile for your project, preparing the surface properly and taking care during installation, you can achieve great long-term results. Maintaining your new ColorBond cladding with annual cleaning and prompt touch ups will keep it looking like new.
