The distance bands
BlueScope's Lysaght guidance sets out where each product suits:
| Product | From breaking surf | From calm marine water |
|---|---|---|
| Standard COLORBOND® steel | About 201–400 m and beyond | About 101–200 m and beyond |
| COLORBOND® Ultra steel | About 100–200 m | 0–100 m |
| Stainless / aluminium options | Severe marine or corrosive sites closer in | |
Source: Lysaght, “When to choose COLORBOND® Ultra steel”. Always confirm against the current BlueScope warranty for your site.
What this means in Newcastle
- Beachfront streets in Merewether, Bar Beach, The Hill, Newcastle East and Stockton can fall inside the Ultra-or-better zone.
- Harbour and river edges, including Carrington, Wickham, Stockton's harbour side and parts of Mayfield, count as calm marine water. Port and industrial activity adds to the load.
- Most suburbs further inland, like Lambton, Kotara, Wallsend and Elermore Vale, sit well outside these bands. Standard COLORBOND® suits them.
Fixings and flashings matter too
A corrosion-resistant sheet with the wrong screws or a mismatched flashing will still fail. Fasteners, flashings and gutters need to be compatible with the sheet and rated for the same environment. Lead flashings and copper pipes should never drain onto a COLORBOND® roof.
Looking after a coastal roof
Rain keeps open roof areas clean. Hose down sheltered areas that rain doesn't reach, like under eaves and verandah roofs, to stop salt building up.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my distance from breaking surf?
We measure it from your address during the quote and pick the steel to match. If you're borderline, we'll explain the options and the cost difference.
Sources
Figures and rules on this page come from the following. Prices are market ranges, not our quotes; your written quote is fixed.