Choosing between a 15-year and 20-year roof paint warranty comes down to your roof's condition, the coating system used, and whether the surface preparation meets the manufacturer's requirements. A longer warranty does not automatically mean a better result.
It means a more involved application process with a higher-grade product. In Queensland's climate, where UV exposure and heat are intense year-round, that process matters.
What does a roof paint warranty actually cover?
A roof paint warranty covers the coating's adhesion, film integrity, and resistance to cracking, peeling, or chalking under normal weather conditions — provided the surface was correctly prepared and the right products were used in the right sequence.
Most warranties do not cover damage from physical impact, poor preparation, incorrect application, or using a coating system the warranty was not designed for.
In Queensland, particularly around Ipswich and Toowoomba where summer storms and UV exposure are intense, understanding what voids a warranty is just as important as knowing what the warranty covers.
Key points:
- Warranty periods (15-year or 20-year) apply to the coating system, not individual products
- Application must follow the manufacturer's system: primer, sealer, and topcoat in the correct sequence
- Most warranties require proof of purchase and, in some cases, proof of professional application
- Some warranties are transferable if the property is sold within the warranty period
What is the difference between a 15-year and 20-year roof paint warranty?
The core difference is the coating system specifically the film thickness, the membrane grade of the topcoat, and whether an intermediate sealer or reinforcing layer is included.
| Feature | 15-Year System | 20-Year System |
| Topcoat grade | Standard elastomeric acrylic | Premium membrane-grade acrylic |
| Primer required | Yes | Yes |
| Sealer/intermediate coat | Sometimes | Usually required |
| Film build (dry mils) | Standard | Higher |
| Typical application coats | 2 | 3–4 |
| Best for | Sound roofs, light weathering | Older roofs, porous surfaces, heavy UV zones |
| Cost relative | Lower | Higher |
For homeowners in Hatton Vale or Lockyer Valley applying to a sound tiled roof with minimal cracking, a 15-year system often delivers strong results at a lower cost. For roofs in Toowoomba or Ipswich with heavier weathering, high porosity, or previous failed coatings, a 20-year system with the additional sealer step gives better long-term protection.
Does the preparation affect which warranty I can claim?
Yes, and this is the most misunderstood part of roof paint warranties.
If you apply a 20-year topcoat without the required primer and intermediate sealer, the warranty typically reduces to the base product warranty or becomes void. The warranty is tied to the full system, not just the topcoat.
Steps that are commonly required for a 20-year warranty system:
- Pressure wash and full surface clean
- Mould treatment and fungicide application
- Penetrating sealer or primer on porous surfaces
- Crack repair and bedding mortar work on tiled roofs
- Intermediate sealer coat (in some systems)
- Two topcoats of the specified membrane-grade coating
Skipping any step particularly the sealer on porous Ipswich or Toowoomba tile roofs, can reduce the coating's adhesion and compromise the warranty. This is a core principle of the Thinking Paint Roof Protection Method: preparation is not optional, it is what the warranty is actually measuring.
Which roof paint warranty is right for Queensland homes?
In Queensland's climate high UV, heavy rainfall, and wide temperature swings, a 20-year warranty system is worth considering for any roof that is more than 10 years old or showing visible weathering.
For newer roofs or roofs in good condition across the Lockyer Valley or Hatton Vale:
- A 15-year system with the correct primer and two topcoats delivers strong protection
- Recoating is more affordable than full restoration
- Colour choice matters: lighter colours with heat-reflective pigments reduce thermal stress and extend coating life
For older or more weathered roofs in Ipswich, Toowoomba, or surrounding areas:
- A 20-year membrane-grade system provides a thicker film build that better bridges minor surface movement
- The additional intermediate coat helps seal porous or previously painted surfaces
- The longer warranty reflects the higher-grade product performing under harsher conditions
If you are unsure which system applies to your roof, the Thinking Paint Roof Protection Method walks through six assessment points: surface type, condition, primer requirements, coating lifespan, colour and heat exposure, and application scale.
How does the Thinking Paint Roof Protection Method determine which warranty system to use?
The Thinking Paint Roof Protection Method is a practical six-step product selection process developed from 20 years of working with homeowners, tradies, roof restorers, and commercial property managers across Queensland.
The six assessment points are:
- Roof surface type — tile, metal, fibrous cement, or concrete
- Current roof condition — sound, weathered, porous, or previously coated
- Primer and sealing requirements — what the surface needs to achieve adhesion
- Coating lifespan required — 15-year or 20-year, based on condition and budget
- Colour, heat exposure, and local climate — including Queensland UV intensity and summer storm load
- Application method and project scale — DIY, tradie, or professional roof restorer
This method ensures the warranty you receive is achievable — not just printed on a label. Thinking Paint provides product advice using this method before you purchase, with 3-business-day delivery available to Ipswich and Toowoomba.
What roof types are covered by 15-year and 20-year warranties?
Both warranty tiers are available across common Queensland roof types, but the system requirements differ:
Concrete and terracotta tiles:
- 15-year: Penetrating primer + two acrylic topcoats
- 20-year: Penetrating primer + intermediate sealer + two membrane-grade topcoats
- Porous tiles (common in older Ipswich and Toowoomba homes) often need the 20-year sealer step regardless of desired warranty length
Colorbond and metal roofing:
- 15-year: Rust-inhibiting primer + two acrylic topcoats
- 20-year: Rust-inhibiting primer + intermediate elastomeric coat + two membrane-grade topcoats
- Metal roofs in Lockyer Valley and Hatton Vale with surface rust may need additional treatment before any warranty applies
Fibrous cement:
- Sealer is almost always required; 20-year systems are generally recommended due to high porosity
FAQ
Some manufacturers allow DIY application under a 20-year warranty, but you must follow the full system, including the correct primer, sealer, and topcoat in the specified sequence. If you skip a step, the warranty typically does not apply. Thinking Paint can advise on whether your roof and planned approach qualify before you start.
No. A 20-year warranty covers product performance, including adhesion, film integrity, resistance to cracking, and peeling under normal conditions. It does not cover storm damage, physical impact, or failure caused by surface movement. Inspecting and cleaning the roof every 3–5 years in Queensland is still recommended.
Older tiled roofs in Toowoomba and Ipswich are often highly porous due to weathering. Without a penetrating sealer, the topcoat cannot bond properly and the film breaks down faster. The sealer is what makes the warranty achievable, not just the topcoat.
Common causes include incorrect surface preparation, skipping required primer or sealer steps, applying the wrong coating for the surface type, applying outside the manufacturer’s stated conditions such as temperature and humidity, and using incompatible products in the system.
Yes. Thinking Paint offers 3-business-day delivery to Ipswich, Toowoomba, and surrounding Queensland areas including Hatton Vale and Lockyer Valley. Contact us to confirm stock and system requirements before ordering.
For roofs more than 10 years old or in areas with heavy UV and heat exposure, like much of regional Queensland, the 20-year system’s thicker film build and additional sealer step usually reduce the frequency of recoating. Over a 20-year period, the cost difference is often recovered in avoided maintenance.
Roof Refresh is Thinking Paint’s 15-year coating system suited to roofs in sound condition needing a quality protective topcoat. Roof Protect is the 20-year membrane-grade system designed for older or more weathered roofs requiring a higher film build and sealer step.
Choosing the right roof paint warranty system means matching the product to your roof's actual condition — not just the warranty period you want.
A 20-year system on a poorly prepared surface will fail before a 15-year system applied correctly. The Thinking Paint Roof Protection Method guides you through that decision based on surface type, condition, primer needs, and Queensland's specific climate demands.
Speak with us for practical product advice before selecting your roof coating, primer, or warranty system.