If your roof is covered in old, pressed metal tiles that are starting to look worse for wear, chances are you’ve got a decramastic roof. These roofs were popular across New Zealand from the 1970s through to the early 2000s, and they were installed on thousands of homes. At the time, they were a lightweight alternative to heavier concrete tiles. But as they age, they come with a long list of issues.
At Advance Roofing, we’ve helped many Auckland homeowners replace their ageing decramastic tile roofs with clean, strong, low-maintenance long run metal roofing. If you’re wondering if it’s time to do the same, this guide will walk you through what’s involved and why making the switch now could save you years of stress and cost.
What is Decramastic Roofing?
Decramastic roofing (also called pressed metal tiles) is made from galvanised steel or aluminium sheets shaped to mimic traditional tiles, usually with a coating of bitumen and coloured stone chip. At first glance, it looks like a tiled roof, but up close and over time, its weaknesses start to show.
Many of these roofs were installed over bitumen-based underlays with nail fixings. After a few decades, the coating breaks down, nails lift, rust sets in, and the tiles begin to dent, warp, or crack. We regularly see water leaking through weak points and flashing failures, especially in high wind or coastal areas.
Signs Your Decramastic Roof Needs Replacement
Some of the most common issues we see include:
- Dents and rust spots from hail or foot traffic
- Loose or lifted tiles from failing fasteners
- Leaks around flashing and penetrations
- Moss and lichen that are hard to remove without damage
- Water stains or sagging on the ceiling below
- Age over 25-30 years
Repairs can be done, but often they’re temporary fixes on a system that has reached the end of its practical lifespan. In many cases, a full roof replacement is the better long-term investment.
Explore re-roofing in Auckland.Why Switch to Long Run Metal Roofing?
Long run metal roofing is what we specialise in, and for good reason. It is durable, lightweight, and far more resilient in New Zealand’s weather conditions. Here’s what makes it the right choice for replacing a decramastic roof:
1. Lightweight, But Strong
Like decramastic tiles, long run metal is lightweight, which means it’s suitable for the same roof framing. There’s no need for structural reinforcement in most cases. But unlike decramastic tiles, it doesn’t dent easily or degrade over time.
2. Fewer Seams, Fewer Leaks
Decramastic roofs are made up of hundreds of individual pressed tiles. Each one is a potential point of failure. Long run metal sheets run the full length of your roof slope, reducing joins and potential leaks.
3. Modern Look and Lasting Finish
We install high-quality Colorsteel and similar products designed for New Zealand conditions. You can choose from a range of colours and profiles to suit your home’s look, whether traditional or modern. The finish won’t fade or flake like old chip coatings do.
4. Better in Coastal Areas
Decramastic roofs struggle in salty air. They rust, blister, and degrade. Coastal-grade long run metal, on the other hand, comes with protective coatings and can be installed with marine-grade fasteners for added durability.Learn about our long run roofing options.
What to Expect During a Decramastic Roof Replacement
Our process is straightforward, and we make sure it’s as stress-free as possible for you.
Step 1: Inspection and Quote
We inspect your current roof and provide a clear quote based on what we find. We look for soft spots, water ingress, underlay condition, and structural integrity.
Step 2: Removal of Old Tiles
We remove the old decramastic tiles and underlay. Often, we find rotting timber or rusted fasteners beneath that also need attention, all of which we’ll discuss with you.
Step 3: Timber Repairs (if needed)
If we find damaged timber battens or rafters, we replace them as part of the job to ensure your new roof has a solid base.
Step 4: Install New Long Run Roof
We install new building paper, flashings, and your selected long run profile using high-quality materials rated for your zone.
Learn about our new roof installation.
Final Thoughts from the Advance Roofing Team
If your decramastic roof is starting to show its age, it is worth considering a full replacement with long run metal. The results speak for themselves. You get a cleaner look, stronger protection, and far less maintenance over the years to come.
We’ve helped many Auckland homeowners upgrade their tired decramastic roofs, and we’re proud to offer a trusted, local service backed by warranties and decades of experience.
If you’d like a no-obligation inspection and quote, we’d be happy to take a look and give you honest advice.
Let’s get your roof sorted properly, with materials and workmanship that are built to last.
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