How hot does an Ebony roof run?
TSR (total solar reflectance) is the share of the sun's heat a roof sends back. Cloud, the lightest colour, reflects 69%. Ebony reflects 5%, so nearly all the sun that lands on it turns into heat in the sheet.
That matters most on a sunny site, or over a skillion or low roof with little space above the ceiling. A re-roof is the time to check ceiling insulation and underlay, and our guide to roof insulation and underlay covers both.
Before you sign off on Ebony
- See a sample sheet outside. NZ Steel says screens show colour differently
- Ask what's going under the sheets and above the ceiling
- Rural? Check the district plan. Queenstown Lakes District Council's guide says colours under 5% LRV, such as black, are often not appropriate, and Ebony sits right on 5%
- Confirm the product for the site: MAXAM for most places, ALTIMATE for extreme marine spots
- Get COLORSTEEL Ebony named in the quote, with a copy of the warranty
Living with a black roof
NZ Steel treats even fading and chalking as normal wear, and on a near-black sheet chalking tends to show. Rain washes the open roof, but sheltered spots such as under solar panels need washing by hand. If they're up high, leave that to a roofer, not a ladder.
Within 100 m of saltwater, NZ Steel asks you to contact COLORSTEEL to confirm the warranty, and near geothermal activity it wants to advise on the product before you choose.
Our honest view
Ebony looks sharp, and if the house suits it we'd happily see it on the roof. Just go in knowing it's the hottest option, and make insulation part of the plan. If you want nearly the same look with a little more reflectance, compare it with FlaxPod. A note on independence: we aren't affiliated with New Zealand Steel, which owns the COLORSTEEL name.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.