An insulated patio roof is made from sandwich panels: a Colorbond steel top skin, a foam core (usually fire-retardant expanded polystyrene) and a painted steel underside that doubles as a finished ceiling. Compared with a single sheet of roofing steel, the panel blocks far more of the sun's heat from radiating down onto you, and it dramatically cuts the drumming of a Queensland storm.
Why an insulated patio roof suits Moreton Bay
A single-skin steel roof in full sun gets hot, and that heat radiates straight down onto the people underneath. In a long South-East Queensland summer, that's the difference between a patio you use all afternoon and one you avoid until sunset. Insulated panels also give a clean ceiling with no exposed purlins, so downlights and fans can be recessed neatly.
The trade-off is cost: published Brisbane guides put insulated-panel roofs at roughly $350–$750 per m² installed versus about $250–$600 per m² for plain Colorbond. See the insulated patio cost guide for the detail.
Insulated patio roof panels: 50, 75, 100 mm and up
Major panel systems come in a range of core thicknesses — Stratco Cooldek from 50 to 150 mm and Bondor SolarSpan from 50 to 200 mm, according to the manufacturers' own technical documents. Thicker panels:
- Insulate better. For example, Bondor declares R1.80 for 75 mm and R2.40 for 100 mm SolarSpan (at 23 °C); Stratco lists R1.82 (75 mm) and R2.46 (100 mm) for Cooldek Classic (at 14 °C mean temperature).
- Span further between beams, which can mean fewer posts and a cleaner look.
- Cost more per m².
75 mm and 100 mm are common choices for patios. Allowable spans depend on your site's wind classification and how many sides of the patio are open, so the builder or engineer sizes the panel for your site.
Brands you'll see in quotes
Insulated patio roof panels in Moreton Bay quotes usually come from one of these systems: Stratco Outback with Cooldek, SolarSpan by Bondor, Lysaght Living (insulated option via Bondor InsulRoof), plus other systems such as Apollo and Fielders. Each has its own profiles, colours and span tables. Compare them in SolarSpan vs Cooldek. We are not a dealer for any brand.
Already have a patio with a plain steel roof? Panels can sometimes replace the existing sheets if the frame is up to it. See insulating an existing patio roof. If you're adding on, see the patio extensions guide.
Roof styles
- Flat / skillion — simplest and usually cheapest; attaches to the fascia or wall.
- Flyover — raised above the house gutter for height and airflow; very popular on low-set Queensland homes.
- Gable / pavilion — pitched roof with a triangular gable end; adds height and presence.
Downlights, fans and skylights
Lighting and fans are easiest to add during the build. Use only downlights approved by the panel manufacturer for insulated roofing — Bondor, for example, notes that off-the-shelf downlights may not conform to Australian Standards for use in insulated panels. Some systems also offer clear or translucent "light" panels to keep the area under the roof bright. All electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician.
How it works with us
- Tell us about the job: suburb, insulated patios, rough size and timing.
- We pass it to one independent, QBCC-licensed builder who services your area.
- The builder measures and quotes, and handles engineering and the certifier.
- You decide. The quote is free and any contract is directly with the builder.
Get a free quote More on how it works →
Where we can help
Requests for insulated patios are passed to licensed builders across Moreton Bay. Each area page has local approval, overlay and materials notes.
Near the water? These pages cover salt exposure and which roofing steel BlueScope recommends at different distances from the bay or surf: Redcliffe · Scarborough · Bribie Island · Deception Bay · Margate · Beachmere.
Most requested: North Lakes · Narangba · Caboolture · Morayfield · Murrumba Downs · Kallangur · Strathpine · Albany Creek · All areas →
Frequently asked questions
Are insulated patio covers worth it?
If you'll use the patio through summer afternoons, usually yes: insulated panels cut radiant heat and rain noise and give a finished ceiling. If the patio is mainly for shade on a south-facing wall or will rarely be used, plain Colorbond can be enough. See our insulated vs Colorbond comparison.
What thickness insulated panel should I choose?
75 mm and 100 mm are common for patios. Thicker panels insulate better and span further but cost more. The right thickness also depends on span and your wind classification, so your builder or engineer will confirm.
Do insulated patios need council approval?
In Queensland most patios exceed the small-structure exemption (10 m², 2.4 m high), so they need a building development permit from a private certifier. See our Moreton Bay patio approval guide.