How many Colorsteel colours are there?

The current Colorsteel range has 29 colour and finish options: 20 colours in the Classic finish, 6 in Low Gloss and 3 in Matte. Some colours, like FlaxPod, Ironsand and Ebony, come in more than one finish.

What does LRV mean on a Colorsteel colour chart?

LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value. It is the share of visible light a colour reflects, from 0% for black to 100% for pure white. Councils and subdivision covenants use LRV to control how bright a roof looks from a distance.

What is the difference between LRV and TSR?

LRV measures visible light only, so it describes how light or dark a colour looks. TSR, or Total Solar Reflectance, measures the whole solar spectrum including infrared, so it is a better guide to how much heat the roof absorbs. Two colours can look equally dark but have different TSR.

Is a dark Colorsteel roof hotter?

A darker roof absorbs more of the sun's energy, so the sheet itself gets hotter. How much of that reaches the rooms below depends mostly on the underlay, insulation and ventilation. If heat is a concern, compare the TSR figures, not only how dark the colour looks.

Does the colour change the Colorsteel warranty?

The warranty depends mainly on the product, such as Colorsteel MAXAM or Altimate, and on how exposed the site is, for example how close it is to the sea. We confirm the right product and warranty for your address before you order.

Is the 3D colour chooser accurate?

It gives a realistic impression of each colour, finish and profile under neutral studio lighting, but no screen shows paint colour exactly. Always check a physical Colorsteel sample outside before making a final decision.

Can I get matching Colorsteel spouting, fascia and flashings?

Yes. Flashings are folded from the same Colorsteel as the roof, and spouting, downpipes and fascia can be matched to the roof or picked as a contrast. We confirm every colour in the quote.

Colorsteel colour chooser

Preview every Colorsteel roof colour in 3D, compare LRV and TSR, and check what your council allows.

Open the 3D chooser See the colour chart

Colorsteel is New Zealand-made pre-painted roofing steel. The current range has 29 colour and finish options: 20 Classic colours, 6 Low Gloss and 3 Matte. Winter & Son Roofing installs Colorsteel on homes across Christchurch and Selwyn, and colour is one of the first questions every customer asks us.

Use the chooser below to see each colour on a real roofing profile, then read the chart and guides to check reflectivity limits, heat and finish before you decide. When you are ready, our Colorsteel roofing service covers the full re-roof, from strip-off to flashings.

The Colorsteel range at a glance

colour and finish options: 29colour and finish options
finishes: Classic, Low Gloss, Matte: 3finishes: Classic, Low Gloss, Matte
options at or under 30% LRV: 22options at or under 30% LRV
profiles to preview: corrugate, five-rib, tray: 3profiles to preview: corrugate, five-rib, tray

Preview Colorsteel colours in 3D

Pick a profile, a finish and a colour. Drag the sheet to see how light moves across the ribs, and switch the background to compare against light or dark surroundings.

Loading the 3D sheet preview…

Ironsand · Classic · LRV 8% · TSR 25%

Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Background

Profile

Finish

Colour

LRV 8%: within a 30% roof reflectance limit. Screen colours are a guide. Check a physical sample in daylight before you choose.

Colorsteel colour chart with LRV and TSR

Every current Colorsteel roofing colour, grouped by finish. LRV is how much visible light the colour reflects. TSR is how much of the sun's total energy it reflects. Figures are manufacturer values with a small tolerance.

The “Meets 30% LRV limit” column shows whether each colour is within Christchurch City Council's maximum of 30% LRV for roofs, set in the District Plan for the Residential Hills, Residential Large Lot and Residential Small Settlement zones. 22 of the 29 options are at or under that limit. Subdivision covenants can set their own, stricter limit.

Colorsteel Classic colours

The traditional Colorsteel finish with a soft sheen. It has the widest range of colours, from bright whites through heritage reds and greens to deep charcoals.

Colorsteel Classic colours with LRV, TSR, and whether each meets Christchurch City Council's 30% LRV roof limit
Colour	LRV	TSR	Meets 30% LRV limit	Notes
TuiTuft®	68%	66%	No	Crisp bright white. Very cool in summer, but at 68% LRV it is well over the 30% roof limit in Port Hills zones.
Cloud	74%	69%	No	The most reflective colour in the range (TSR 69%, LRV 74%). Coolest roof option; check glare and covenant rules first.
Titania	68%	66%	No	Warm off-white that looks softer than TuiTuft in Canterbury light. Same TSR and LRV as TuiTuft.
SandScape®	66%	66%	No	Very pale stone grey. Reads almost white from the street and suits washed timber and white joinery.
Gull Grey	51%	57%	No	Light, airy grey. A lighter roof without the glare of a true white, though still above a 30% LRV limit.
Sandstone Grey	27%	41%	Yes	Mid grey with a cool cast, and one of the lightest colours that still sits under a 30% LRV limit (27%).
SandBar®	34%	48%	No	Warm sandy beige that pairs with brick, stone and brown timber. At 34% LRV it is just over a 30% limit.
Lichen	28%	42%	Yes	Khaki neutral with olive undertones. Settles into rural and lifestyle blocks and sits under 30% LRV (28%).
Mist Green	25%	39%	Yes	Soft grey-green. A muted, recessive choice for rural and hill sites at 25% LRV.
Permanent Green	10%	25%	Yes	Deep traditional green. A long-standing choice for villas, bungalows and farm buildings.
Pioneer Red	12%	35%	Yes	The classic New Zealand red roof. Warm and strong, and it suits character homes and woolsheds alike.
Scoria	10%	30%	Yes	Deep red-brown that brings warmth without the brightness of Pioneer Red.
Ironsand	8%	25%	Yes	Dark brown-charcoal. Colorsteel names it as one of its dark colours with infrared-reflective pigments to cut heat.
Karaka	8%	24%	Yes	Very dark brown-green with an earthy warmth. Reads close to black from the street and shows its brown-green tone in sunlight.
New Denim Blue	11%	24%	Yes	Deep blue-grey. Works on coastal and contemporary homes and pairs well with white weatherboards.
Grey Friars	10%	26%	Yes	Classic charcoal grey that contrasts with light cladding. Also available in Low Gloss.
Thunder Grey	12%	29%	Yes	Bold mid-to-dark neutral grey that sits between Grey Friars and the lighter greys.
Slate	9%	25%	Yes	Dark charcoal with a warm undertone. A softer dark roof than FlaxPod or Ebony.
FlaxPod®	7%	21%	Yes	Earthy dark charcoal, and the only colour offered in all three finishes: Classic, Low Gloss and Matte.
Ebony	5%	5%	Yes	The darkest colour in the range (LRV and TSR both 5%). Striking contrast, and the hottest roof surface.

Colorsteel Low Gloss colours

The same paint system with less sheen, so the roof reads flatter and more architectural. Offered in a focused set of popular greys and darks.

Colorsteel Low Gloss colours with LRV, TSR, and whether each meets Christchurch City Council's 30% LRV roof limit
Colour	LRV	TSR	Meets 30% LRV limit	Notes
Sandstone Grey Low Gloss	27%	42%	Yes	Sandstone Grey with a softer sheen. Low Gloss reads slightly lighter than the Classic finish.
Ironsand Low Gloss	8%	25%	Yes	Ironsand in a lower-sheen finish for a more contemporary, less reflective look.
Grey Friars Low Gloss	11%	27%	Yes	Grey Friars with reduced sheen. Pairs well with dark joinery and modern cladding.
Windsor Grey Low Gloss	7%	20%	Yes	Deep grey that gives strong contrast without going to black. Only made in Low Gloss.
FlaxPod® Low Gloss	7%	22%	Yes	FlaxPod with a subtler sheen, sitting between the Classic and Matte versions.
Ebony Low Gloss	5%	5%	Yes	The deepest colour in a lower-sheen finish for a softer black roof.

Colorsteel Matte colours

The flattest Colorsteel finish. It gives a soft, modern look with very little reflection, in a short list of colours made for it.

Colorsteel Matte colours with LRV, TSR, and whether each meets Christchurch City Council's 30% LRV roof limit
Colour	LRV	TSR	Meets 30% LRV limit	Notes
StonePeak® Matte	48%	53%	No	Light grey in Colorsteel's micro-wrinkle Matte finish. Above a 30% LRV limit at 48%.
TidalDrift® Matte	13%	29%	Yes	Smoky charcoal grey in Matte. Understated and non-reflective, suited to modern forms.
FlaxPod® Matte	6%	20%	Yes	FlaxPod in Matte: the least reflective way to get a dark charcoal roof.

What do LRV and TSR mean on a roof colour?

LRV (Light Reflectance Value) is the percentage of visible light a colour reflects. Black is close to 0% and pure white close to 100%. It describes how bright the roof looks, which is why councils and covenants use it to stop roofs standing out on hillsides and in rural views.

TSR (Total Solar Reflectance) covers the whole solar spectrum, including the infrared you cannot see. It is the better guide to how much heat the roof sheet absorbs.

The two do not always move together. Pioneer Red has an LRV of 12% but a TSR of 35%, so it reflects far more of the sun's heat than its colour suggests. Ebony sits at 5% for both. If you want a dark roof but are worried about heat, compare TSR between the dark colours you like.

Which roof colours are allowed in Christchurch and Selwyn?

The Christchurch District Plan limits roof finishes to a maximum of 30% LRV in the Residential Hills, Residential Large Lot and Residential Small Settlement zones. That covers much of the Port Hills and many semi-rural blocks on the city edge.

Selwyn District Council has its own district plan, and some newer subdivisions in areas like Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton and Halswell carry covenants that set roof colours or a maximum LRV. A covenant can be stricter than the council rules, so read the covenant on your title as well as the plan for your zone.

The colours currently over 30% LRV are TuiTuft, Cloud, Titania, SandScape, Gull Grey, SandBar and StonePeak Matte. Lichen (28%) and Sandstone Grey (27%) are the lightest colours that stay under the limit. If you are unsure which rules apply to your property, we can check with you before you order.

Classic, Low Gloss or Matte: which Colorsteel finish?

Classic is the standard Colorsteel finish with a gentle sheen. It has the most colours and suits villas, bungalows, farm buildings and most family homes.

Low Gloss reduces the sheen so the roof looks flatter and more even, especially on long, low-pitched runs. It is a good match for modern homes with dark joinery and cladding.

Matte is the flattest finish, with almost no shine. It gives a soft, contemporary look and reduces glare for neighbours looking down on the roof from a hillside.

Switch between finishes in the chooser above. Low Gloss and Matte versions of the same colour look slightly different because they catch less light.

Does a dark Colorsteel roof make the house hotter?

A dark roof absorbs more solar energy, so the steel runs hotter on a sunny day than a light roof would. How much of that heat reaches your rooms depends mostly on the roof underlay, ceiling insulation and roof space ventilation.

On most Canterbury homes a good underlay and properly insulated ceiling matter more than the colour. If heat is a real concern, for example with a skillion roof or low insulation, compare the TSR figures in the chart and ask us about the build-up under the iron.

Does colour affect the Colorsteel warranty?

The warranty depends mainly on the product and how harsh the site is, such as how close the house is to the sea. Colorsteel MAXAM is the everyday choice for most Christchurch homes and comes in 0.40 mm and 0.55 mm steel. For severe marine sites, Colorsteel Altimate uses 0.90 mm aluminium instead of steel.

We confirm the right product and warranty for your address in the quote.

Does the profile change how a colour looks?

Yes. The same colour can look lighter or darker depending on the sheet shape, because each profile catches light and casts shadow differently.

Corrugate has soft, rounded waves that spread highlights across the sheet. It suits villas, bungalows and traditional homes.
Five-rib has sharp, evenly spaced ribs with flat pans between them. It is a clean, all-round profile for modern and older homes.
Tray has wide flat pans and tall ribs. The large flat areas show the colour most honestly and give a contemporary, architectural look.

Matching spouting, fascia, flashings and cladding

Flashings are folded from the same Colorsteel as the roof, so they match exactly. Spouting, downpipes and fascia can match the roof for a seamless look, or contrast with it to frame the house. A common approach is a dark roof with spouting that matches either the roof or the joinery.

If you are also replacing spouting or adding metal wall cladding, choose all the colours together so everything is ordered in one go.

How to choose a Colorsteel roof colour

1
Check the rules for your address first
Look at your district plan zone and any subdivision covenant on your title before falling in love with a colour. Plenty of Canterbury addresses cap roof reflectivity, and the usual cap in Christchurch is 30% LRV.
2
Start from what is not changing
Brick, stone, weatherboards and joinery usually stay. Pick a roof colour that works with those, then choose spouting and fascia to tie them together.
3
Look at the roof from the street
Most people see a roof from the footpath at a low angle, which is how the chooser opens. Rotate it to see how the colour changes when the light hits the ribs.
4
Decide on the finish
Classic has the biggest palette. Low Gloss and Matte cut glare and suit modern homes, but come in fewer colours.
5
See a real sample outside
Screens are not colour accurate. Hold a real Colorsteel sample against the house in daylight, at different times of day, before you confirm.

From one of our jobs

A Fendalton home with its original 1960s roof was stripped and fully re-roofed in Karaka Colorsteel long-run in four days. Karaka is a very dark brown-green at 8% LRV, so it sits well under reflectivity limits and suits the established, tree-lined streets around Fendalton.

Related Colorsteel guides

Colorsteel roofing Christchurch — products, profiles and our process
Tile to Colorsteel conversions — replacing concrete tiles with steel
Roof replacement Christchurch — full re-roof service overview
Re-roof cost calculator — indicative price range for planning

Colorsteel colour questions

How many Colorsteel colours are there?: The current Colorsteel range has 29 colour and finish options: 20 colours in the Classic finish, 6 in Low Gloss and 3 in Matte. Some colours, like FlaxPod, Ironsand and Ebony, come in more than one finish.
What does LRV mean on a Colorsteel colour chart?: LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value. It is the share of visible light a colour reflects, from 0% for black to 100% for pure white. Councils and subdivision covenants use LRV to control how bright a roof looks from a distance.
What is the difference between LRV and TSR?: LRV measures visible light only, so it describes how light or dark a colour looks. TSR, or Total Solar Reflectance, measures the whole solar spectrum including infrared, so it is a better guide to how much heat the roof absorbs. Two colours can look equally dark but have different TSR.
Which Colorsteel colours meet a 30% LRV roof limit?: Every colour at or under 30% LRV meets that limit. In the current range, TuiTuft, Cloud, Titania, SandScape, Gull Grey, SandBar and StonePeak Matte are above 30%. Everything else, including Lichen at 28% and Sandstone Grey at 27%, is under it.
Does Christchurch City Council restrict roof colours?: Yes, in some zones. The Christchurch District Plan limits roof finishes to a 30% LRV in the Residential Hills, Residential Large Lot and Residential Small Settlement zones. Some subdivisions also have their own covenants, so check both before you choose.
Is a dark Colorsteel roof hotter?: A darker roof absorbs more of the sun's energy, so the sheet itself gets hotter. How much of that reaches the rooms below depends mostly on the underlay, insulation and ventilation. If heat is a concern, compare the TSR figures, not only how dark the colour looks.
Does the colour change the Colorsteel warranty?: The warranty depends mainly on the product, such as Colorsteel MAXAM or Altimate, and on how exposed the site is, for example how close it is to the sea. We confirm the right product and warranty for your address before you order.
Is the 3D colour chooser accurate?: It gives a realistic impression of each colour, finish and profile under neutral studio lighting, but no screen shows paint colour exactly. Always check a physical Colorsteel sample outside before making a final decision.
Can I get matching Colorsteel spouting, fascia and flashings?: Yes. Flashings are folded from the same Colorsteel as the roof, and spouting, downpipes and fascia can be matched to the roof or picked as a contrast. We confirm every colour in the quote.

Picked a colour? Get a measured quote

Tell us your address and the colours you like. We measure the roof, check any reflectivity rules that apply, and return a fixed, itemised price within two business days of the visit.

Active leak or storm damage?

Call us immediately, 24/7.

Water coming in, lifted sheets, or loose iron needs a phone call now.

Planning a re-roof or new build?

Get a measured, no-surprises quote.

Get an itemised, no-surprises quote that explains steel grade, flashings, and scope.