What does Surfmist look like on a house?
BlueScope describes a fresh, modern white inspired by the whitewash on surf beaches. Up on a roof it reads as white, but gentler than a stark brilliant white, which helps on a big roof facing the street.
It tends to sit well with limed or blonde timber, cool or warm greys and natural stone. BlueScope's palettes finish Ironstone and Gully with it, or team it with Wallaby on homes with limewashed or recycled brick.
Close to the beach? Check the distance first
BlueScope's homeowner guide recommends standard Colorbond for roofs more than 200 m from breaking surf, and Colorbond Ultra between 100 and 200 m. Surfmist is one of the 7 Ultra colours, and one of just 4 in Superdura Stainless, which BlueScope designs for homes within about 100 m of the surf.
Distances run from the high-water mark. Near salt spray, spots rain never washes, like cladding tucked under the eaves, need a hose-down every three months, says BlueScope's maintenance bulletin.
Classic or Matt Surfmist?
| Classic finish | Matt finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Low sheen | Softer, spreads reflected light |
| Solar absorptance | 0.33 | 0.35 |
| Made in Ultra | Yes | No, Ultra comes in Classic only |
| Matching gutters and flashings | Full range | A selected range |
How much heat does it keep out?
Going by its solar absorptance, Surfmist falls in the light band on every threshold BlueScope publishes, NSW BASIX included. BlueScope says light roofs can be up to 35 degrees C cooler on the surface than dark ones in hot sun, so less heat builds up in the roof space.
If glare into a neighbour's window worries you, look at the Matt sheet too, and check any white sample against your walls in morning and late-afternoon light.
If it were our roof
Within a couple of hundred metres of the surf, we'd choose Surfmist in Ultra and spend the decision time on the profile instead. Further back, we'd stand the Classic and Matt sheets side by side in the yard and keep whichever looks right against the walls. Colorbond is a BlueScope trademark and we have no link to BlueScope; we pass your job to one local roofer who can source the sheets.
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.