Choosing the Right Roofing Profile for Your Outdoor Space

When it comes to creating your perfect outdoor space, every detail matters. Whether you're building a patio, carport, or verandah, the roofing profile you select can make or break the atmosphere and functionality of your outdoor living area. 

This guide for homeowners will equip you with all the knowledge and expert advice you need to be able to choose the best roofing for your home addition. Fielders have teamed up with Abel Patios to share tips from their 20+ years of experience installing thousands of outdoor living structures so you can be sure your next project is a success. 

Why Your Roofing Profile Matters

Your roofing profile influences how your outdoor living space looks, feels, and functions, and homeowners can struggle to envision how different profiles will look from the underside, where they’ll spend most of their time. 

The texture, light reflection, and visual flow from your outdoor area to your home all hinge on this decision, so we’ve outlined the characteristics, aesthetic implications, and expert recommendations of different roofing profiles below. 

With Fielders Centenary®, you’re guaranteed structural integrity and weather resistance in every profile, and all that’s left is for you to choose your perfect match. 

If you’re after a modern roof with a ceiling-like underside, C-Dek™ is for you. From underneath, this profile appears flat with a high-gloss finish, creating the look of an attractive visible ceiling.

“C-Dek™ will complement a contemporary-style house,” say the team at Abel Patios. “The flat appearance of this sheeting is great for patios and carports, and perfect for clean, uncluttered ceiling styles.”

A key feature of C-Dek™ is its availability in a range of double-sided colours, meaning you can customise the look for the underside while ensuring the exterior matches your existing roof. This is especially beneficial for homes with dark roofs, allowing a lighter colour underneath to create a spacious atmosphere.

C-Dek™ shines in flat, skillion and gable roof designs. It’s long spanning capabilities mean fewer beams and posts intruding on your space, offering a streamlined and minimalist aesthetic. 

TL-5™ combines functionality with a crisp, modern look. The deep ribs and refined fluting create a defined visual pattern that adds texture and character to your space. 

Suitable for both flat and gable roofs, TL-5™ is a wide spanning profile with large sheet coverage, making it economical and versatile as both roofing and wall cladding. This has become a popular choice for modern home designs looking to achieve a seamless exterior.

“TL-5™ is a great cost-effective profile,” say the team at Abel Patios. “Because of this, we especially recommend it for larger outdoor living spaces, as well as commercial carports and industrial applications.” 

While its deep grooves allow for excellent water run-off, TL-5™ is also compatible with POP-UP PENETRATION® for greater distribution of rainwater around roof penetrations such as skylights, chimneys and vents. TL-5™ is also compatible with VENT-A-ROOF®, a passive ridge ventilation system promoting the circulation of fresh air.  

S-Rib™ is a corrugated profile that perfectly blends heritage style with contemporary durability. Its deeper, rounded ribs provide a classic, corrugated aesthetic, making it the ideal choice for homeowners wanting to maintain the traditional charm of older homes or heritage-style designs.

“We recommend pairing S-Rib™ roofing with a Fielders Ovolo™ gutter to maintain a vintage look,” says the team at Abel Patios. “We often use it in combination with gable roof designs to seamlessly blend with traditional homes.”

For those looking to create an authentic Australian bullnose verandah, the S-Rib™ Corrugated Curving Quality variant delivers that iconic, curved profile, making it perfect for restorations or timeless outdoor spaces.

Lightweight yet robust, S-Rib™ is an economical solution that works well for both roofing and walling, covering large areas with efficiency and style. While it's a natural fit for heritage homes, its versatility allows it to be seamlessly incorporated into contemporary designs, adding texture and character to modern structures. 

If you're looking for insulated roofing solutions that delivers both clean aesthetics and thermal performance, Insulroof® and SolarSpan® are ideal choices. These panels combine COLORBOND® steel roofing, insulation, and a ceiling-like finish in one product, making your outdoor space look like an extension of your home’s interior.

“Insulroof® and SolarSpan® are favourites for clients wanting an all-in-one solution,” says the team at Abel Patios. “They not only look great from underneath with their finished ceiling appearance but also help keep the space cool in summer and warm in winter. They’re best for outdoor areas designed for year-round use.”

While both profiles provide exceptional thermal performance, each has unique characteristics that may influence your choice. InsulRoof® offers a classic corrugated exterior, embodying the timeless charm of traditional Australian roofing. SolarSpan® features wider ribs, giving it a sleek, modern aesthetic that suits contemporary designs. Additionally, SolarSpan® is engineered for cyclonic regions and performs well on low-pitched roofs, making it ideal for flat or skillion roof styles in more demanding environments.

Both profiles also offer long unsupported spans, reducing the need for additional posts and beams. This not only opens up your outdoor area but also ensures a more open and unobstructed view. Whether you're relaxing outside on a hot summer day or enjoying a cooler evening, the insulation ensures your space remains comfortable without the need for additional heating or cooling systems.

Final Considerations

When it comes to choosing a roofing profile, it’s all about visualising how each option will impact your space—not just in terms of function, but in how it will feel when you’re sitting under it, enjoying your outdoor area. Consider the style of your home, the amount of light you want, and how the profile will contribute to the overall ambiance of your outdoor space.

Building Together with Abel Patios

If you’re in Perth and looking to create your dream outdoor space, Abel Patios are the experts you can trust. As a Fielders partner, we value the strong relationships we build with trusted installers like Abel Patios, who share our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. We’re proud to feature them in this guide and to support you in making the best choice for your outdoor project.

Contact Abel Patios today to start planning your perfect outdoor space with the right roofing profile from the Fielders Centenary® range.