What the beach does to Scarborough roofs
Surf, not a sheltered bay
Scarborough lies along the Indian Ocean coast about 13 km north-west of the CBD. The beach hosted the national surf life saving titles in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2023. BlueScope's TB-35 bulletin uses Scarborough as one of its Perth surf examples, its harshest class.
BlueScope's distance bands
BlueScope says Zincalume and Colorbond Classic, Matt and Metallic need to be more than 200 m from breaking surf. Colorbond Ultra needs more than 100 m, and Superdura Stainless suits sites within 100 m. Distance is measured from the high water mark.
The afternoon wind
The Fremantle Doctor, Perth's south-westerly sea breeze, is strongest in December and January. On the coast at Swanbourne, the average 3 pm wind speed in January is 27.7 km/h.
Townhouses and towers
In 2021, 47.6% of occupied homes were townhouses or similar, 36.2% separate houses and 16.1% flats. The 24-level Observation City went up in 1986, and the City of Stirling now caps heights at eight storeys.
Roof jobs that come up near the beach
Salt doesn't only land on the sheets. It builds up where rain can't rinse it off: under the eaves, beneath gutters, around screw heads and behind flashings. On a metal roof close to the beach, ask for those spots to be checked and photographed, not just the open roof.
On tiled roofs, wind is often the bigger worry. Loose ridge caps and cracked mortar let wind-driven rain in, so a ridge check after a blowy winter, and rebedding and repointing where it's needed, are worth doing.
Townhouse rows often share a roof run or a box gutter, so a leak in your unit can start next door. In a strata complex, involve the strata company before you book.
Near the surf, the quote should name the exact product and grade. Colorbond roofing in Perth has more on choosing it.
Quotes to question in a beach suburb
- A metal roof or gutter quote with no product name or grade
- No mention of how far your home is from the surf
- Screws, flashings and gutters left off the quote, as if only the sheets matter
- A promise that any finish is fine anywhere near the ocean
What we'd ask in Scarborough
If you're within a couple of hundred metres of the beach, we'd ask every roofer the same question first: which product, and is it rated for my distance from the surf? We'd also want the fixings and flashings named, not just the sheets. A cheaper quote in the wrong grade doesn't stay cheaper for long.
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.