Skip to content

Traditional vs Insulated Roofing Panels: DIY considerations for outdoor patios

The Australian outdoor living lifestyle is the envy of the world, with our climate ranging from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. Whether you live in Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, or anywhere in between, outdoor living and entertaining is a part of the Australian way of life.

However, when it comes to entertaining family and friends, no one wants their days ruined by rain or hot summer heat.

Constructing a patio is one of the most popular home renovation or DIY projects a homeowner can undertake when creating an outdoor living space—to not only design the perfect outdoor living area that protects you from unpredictable weather, but also improve your home value.  

But before embarking on your patio journey, take the time to consider what materials you’ll use, for a home improvement that will last the test of time.

One way to tick all the boxes is to use insulated roofing panels over a traditional roof build, which can provide long-term benefits not only for comfort and sustainability, but also for overall aesthetics.  

Insulated roofing panels offer comfort

Unlike traditional roof sheets, insulated roofing panels offer an all-in-one solution comprising a steel roof exterior, an insulated core, with a pre-finished ceiling underside—all in the one panel.

That means insulated roofing panels offer superior thermal performance, keeping your outdoor area cooler in Australia’s hot summer months, as well as warmer in the chillier winter months.

Traditional steel roof sheets will require additional insulation to achieve the same result.  

Insulated roofing panels offer long spans 

The long spans available when you install insulated roofing panels significantly reduce structural framing requirements. This creates a more open living area, offering a wider uncluttered feeling of space for entertaining.

Long spans and reduced support structures also allow for high patio designs and lower pitches for skillion, free standing, and fly over patio designs.

Insulated roofing panels offer ease of installation

For DIY enthusiasts and patio installers alike, it’s the speed and ease of installation that insulated roof panels offer that can be one of the major deciding factors. These prefabricated panels are lightweight and offer speed of construction as the panels can be lifted and locked into place, eliminating the need for more traditional labour-intensive processes.

Traditional patio builds can typically take three times as long and will require a few different trades and individual processes including mesh, insulation, and roof sheet application.

Insulated roofing panels are low maintenance

Insulated roof panels also lock together to create a watertight seal above and aesthetic good looks from below. This not only provides an aesthetic finish but also improves durability to Australia’s harsh climate and reduces maintenance for the family.

As the panels are an all-in-one roof, insulation, and ceiling product there is no need for painting or plastering, minimising maintenance over the longer term.

Homeowners across Australia are impressed with the insulation properties, large span of panels, and overall look and aesthetics of insulated roof panels, plus the great value it will add to their homes.

Choosing the right insulated roofing panel

Manufactured in Australia to Australian conditions, Bondor’s SolarSpan® & InsulRoof® are Australia’s leading insulated roof panels ideal for insulated patios, insulated pergolas, verandas, decks, carports, garages, and homes.

Perfect for low pitch flat patio roofs at 2 degrees, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch, and high thermal efficiency to satisfy Section J requirements that are perfect for patios and outdoor living applications.

InsulRoof® has a popular corrugated profile with an industry leading 19mm high rib for better handling of rainfall and limited to roofing applications above a 5 degree roof slope.

Codemark approved and conforming to Australian Standards, SolarSpan® and InsulRoof® feature a COLORBOND® steel exterior roof, EPS-FR rigid insulation core with a pre-finished COLORBOND® ceiling underside in a variety of profiles and colours to maximise creative expression.

Both SolarSpan® and InsulRoof® are available in DIY Patio Kits that are perfect for the DIY enthusiast or patio installer.

To find a patio dealer or installer, to ask us a question or enquire about a quote please visit: https://solarspan.com.au/

Gallery