Deepdene's interwar bungalows and period homes have terracotta roofs worth keeping. We match tiles, repoint ridges and fix the valleys and flashings that let water in, and restore the whole roof only when that is the sensible choice.
No Fees. No Obligation. Open 7 Days a Week.
Deepdene is small, leafy and full of character. Many of its homes date from the interwar years, with Californian bungalows, attic-style houses and Tudor-influenced designs sitting under red and brown terracotta roofs. Those roofs often still have their original tiles, ridge cappings and decorative features, and with the right care they can keep going for a long time yet.
Whatever brought you to us, a drip, a crooked ridge or simply a roof that looks its age, the first step is a proper look. Our owner comes across town from Cairnlea, climbs up and documents the roof in photos before saying a word about price. Often the fix is a few matched tiles, a rebedded ridge and a new valley. Sometimes the roof needs a full restoration to stay sound. Either way, you get honest advice and a clear written quote.
No obligation · Same-day response · Open 7 days
Interwar terracotta was made to last, and most of the tiles we see on Deepdene roofs are still structurally fine. The problems tend to come from everything around them. Ridge caps were bedded in mortar that has had 80 or 90 years to crumble. Valleys were formed in galvanised iron, which rusts. Chimneys, common on homes of this era, rely on flashings that crack and lift with time.
Deepdene’s beautiful tree canopy plays its part too. Leaves collect in gutters and valleys, especially in autumn, and shaded roof faces stay damp and grow moss. Along the green corridor of the Anniversary Outer Circle Trail and around Deepdene Park, many homes sit under big established trees, which also means occasional branch damage in storms. Many roofs have also had decades of other trades walking on them, and brittle old terracotta does not forgive heavy feet.
An interwar roof is easier to keep than to replace, so we hold on to as much original material as we can. The usual work list:
A dark stain over the bay window tells us roughly where to start, but we still check everything. Tile by tile across each face, along every ridge and hip, into the valleys, around the chimney and down to the gutters. When there is a manhole, we climb into the roof cavity as well to see where the timber is damp.
After that we show you the pictures, tell you plainly which items matter and which can wait, and email a written price. Coming out is free, and you owe us nothing for it.
Sometimes the honest advice is bigger than a repair. If almost every ridge has open pointing, cracked tiles are scattered across several faces and the valleys are rusting through, we would rather tell you now than sell you three rounds of patches.
Restoring an interwar terracotta roof is a gentle process. The tiles are washed to lift moss and grime without scarring the surface. Cracked ones are replaced with matched tiles. Ridge and hip caps are relaid where loose and repointed along their length, and valleys and flashings are renewed. At that stage plenty of Deepdene owners leave the terracotta in its natural, weathered colour; a few opt for a sealer and topcoat for a uniform, fresh look. Our roof restoration services page explains the options in more depth. Whichever way you go, it costs a good deal less than new tiles and keeps the house looking the way it was built.
Interwar houses deserve someone who notices details: the colour of a pointing mix, the lap of a reclaimed tile, the old lead around a chimney. Our owner has been noticing those things on Melbourne roofs for over 25 years and is present on each job we take on.
Ultra Finish carries a full licence and insurance, and all work is held to our quality-assured standard. Before we start, drop sheets go over the garden beds and the front path; at the end of each day the site is swept and tidy. Your written quote is laid out line by line, so nothing is hidden and nothing unnecessary sneaks in.
Curious what shape your Deepdene roof is in? The number is 0421 990 207.
First, we will begin with a professional roof inspection. This will help us assess your needs for roof restoration and / and repair in Albion. And also we will confirm all the conditions of all the processes and the services accordingly.
Based in Cairnlea, we provide our services to all suburbs across Melbourne. Distance is never a problem. We are open 7 days a week.
All Suburbs in Melbourne
We service properties in different suburbs throughout Melbourne.
Ensure your home’s safety by telling us when we can inspect your roof. No obligation. No fees. Here 7 days a week when you need us.
Whether you have a roofing emergency, want a free inspection, or just need honest advice, we are available 7 days a week.
Let us know how we can help you.