Best Roofing Materials for the Otago Climate

Otago's climate is a unique combination of challenges: heavy frosts, coastal salt air, strong southerly winds, occasional hail, and UV exposure in summer. Not every roofing material handles all of these well.

Long-run steel is the go-to for most residential roofing in the region, and for good reason. It's lightweight, durable, handles wind well, and comes in a range of profiles and colours. The key is choosing the right coating.

Colorsteel Endura is rated for severe coastal and industrial environments. It uses a magnesium-zinc alloy coating that outperforms standard galvanised steel in salt air conditions. For homes on the Otago Peninsula, harbour areas, or anywhere within a few kilometres of the coast, this is the minimum we recommend.

Colorsteel Maxx is the standard option for inland areas like Mosgiel and the Taieri Plains. It's a quality product that performs well where salt air isn't the primary concern.

Concrete and clay tiles are common on older Dunedin homes. They're heavy, which is good for wind resistance, but they're prone to cracking in freeze-thaw cycles. Replacing broken tiles gets expensive over time, and the weight puts extra load on ageing framing.

We rarely recommend tiles for new installations in Otago. The cost-to-performance ratio just doesn't stack up against modern steel options.

Whatever material you choose, correct installation is what makes the difference. Proper fixings, correct overlap, good flashing details, and adequate ventilation will get decades more life out of any roof.