Corrugated steel roofing has been the backbone of Australian building for over 150 years — and for good reason. It’s lightweight, tough, affordable and instantly recognisable. Whether you’re re-roofing a Queenslander, cladding a shed or specifying a new build, this guide covers everything you need to know before ordering corrugated roof sheets.
What Is Corrugated Steel Roofing?
Corrugated roofing is steel sheet roll-formed into a repeating wave (sinusoidal) profile. The classic Australian profile is 762mm cover width with 16mm-deep corrugations at 76mm spacing. That wave shape isn’t just aesthetic — it dramatically increases the sheet’s rigidity, letting thin, light steel span between battens without sagging.
Most corrugated sheets sold in Australia are made from Colorbond or Zincalume steel, both built on a corrosion-resistant aluminium-zinc coated base.
Colorbond vs Zincalume: Which Should You Choose?
Zincalume is the unpainted, silver-finish option. It’s the budget pick and performs brilliantly on sheds, rural buildings and anywhere appearance is secondary.
Colorbond adds a baked-on paint system in 20+ designer colours, from Surfmist to Monument. It costs more per metre but delivers better thermal performance (lighter colours reflect heat), longer warranties, and is often required by estate covenants. If you’re comparing costs, our breakdown of Colorbond roofing price per metre walks through current pricing in detail.
Choosing the Right Thickness (BMT)
Corrugated sheets typically come in two base metal thicknesses:
- 0.42mm BMT — the standard for residential roofing and walling. Handles normal foot traffic and standard batten spacings.
- 0.48mm BMT — heavier duty, longer spans, better dent resistance. Common on commercial jobs and in cyclonic regions. If you’re weighing this up, see our comparison of high tensile vs standard steel.
Where Corrugated Roofing Works Best
Corrugated steel suits pitched roofs of 5 degrees or more. Below that, water can pond in the shallow corrugations — a trapezoidal or concealed-fix profile like the ones covered in our steel roofing profile guide is the safer choice for low-pitch applications.
Typical uses include:
- House roofing and re-roofing
- Wall cladding and feature walls (see vertical wall cladding trends)
- Sheds, garages, carports and patios
- Fencing and screening
What You’ll Need Besides the Sheets
A complete corrugated roof is more than sheets. Budget for:
Flashings and cappings. Ridge capping, barge capping and apron flashings seal every junction on the roof. Our guide to barge capping and ridge capping costs explains what to allow, and custom sizes can be ordered as custom steel flashings online.
Fasteners. Class 4 roofing screws matched to your sheet colour, screwed through the crest of the corrugation — never the valley.
Guttering and fascia. Quad gutter remains the most popular partner for corrugated roofs; our quad guttering price guide has current rates.
Safety gear. Roof work at height requires edge protection or harness systems under Australian WHS rules.
How Much Does Corrugated Roofing Cost?
As a rough guide, Zincalume corrugated sheets start around $12–$16 per lineal metre supplied, with Colorbond typically $18–$25 per lineal metre depending on colour group and thickness. Cut-to-length ordering means you pay only for the millimetres you need — one of the reasons custom cut roofing sheets ordered online usually beat off-the-shelf lengths on total cost and waste.
Ordering Corrugated Sheets Online
Every roof is different, which is why ClickSteel cuts corrugated sheets to your exact lengths. Measure from ridge to gutter, add overhang (usually 50mm into the gutter), and enter your lengths at checkout. Delivery is available Australia-wide — our guide to steel roofing delivery in Australia covers lead times and what to expect on arrival.
Ready to price your roof? Browse corrugated roof sheets with instant online pricing, or call us for any further assistance.
