Moreton Bay Insulated Patios is an independent referral service; quotes come from an independent, QBCC-licensed builder who services your area (how it works).
| SolarSpan | Cooldek | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bondor | Stratco |
| Core | EPS-FR (fire-retardant EPS) | SL-grade EPS |
| Thicknesses | 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 mm | 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 mm |
| Cover width | 1,000 mm | 1,000 mm (760 mm in WA) |
| Top profile | High-rib trapezoidal | Classic (trapezoidal) or CGI (corrugated look) |
| Ceiling finish | Plain or VJ; Surfmist or Classic Cream | Smooth or V-groove |
| Minimum pitch | 2° | 1° (Classic), 3° (CGI) |
| R-value, 75 mm | 1.80 (declared at 23 °C) | 1.82 Classic / 2.16 CGI (14 °C mean) |
| R-value, 100 mm | 2.40 (23 °C) | 2.46 Classic / 2.77 CGI (14 °C mean) |
| Daylight option | Ask your installer | Cool Light translucent panels |
| Sold via | SolarSpan patio designers / installers | Stratco stores and dealers/builders |
What actually differs
- Look. Cooldek CGI gives a corrugated top for homes with a corrugated roof; SolarSpan and Cooldek Classic have a trapezoidal rib. SolarSpan's VJ ceiling suits Queenslander-style homes.
- Low pitch. Cooldek Classic is rated down to 1°, SolarSpan to 2°, Cooldek CGI to 3°. That matters when you're squeezing a skillion under a low gutter.
- Range. SolarSpan is listed up to 200 mm; Cooldek up to 150 mm. For patios, 75–100 mm is the usual zone.
- Spans. Both publish span tables by thickness and wind class. As an example from Stratco's guide, a 100 mm Cooldek Classic panel with two open sides spans 6,900 mm at N2 and 5,150 mm at N3. Ask your builder which table and wind class their design uses.
What matters more than the brand
- Correct wind classification and engineering for your site.
- Beam, post and footing sizing; flashing and gutter details.
- Using approved downlights for insulated roofs.
- A licensed builder with a clear, itemised quote.
Brand pages: SolarSpan · Stratco Outback / Cooldek · Lysaght
Frequently asked questions
Is SolarSpan or Cooldek better?
Neither is universally better. Both are Colorbond-skinned EPS-core insulated panels with similar thickness ranges. Differences are in profiles, ceiling finishes, minimum pitch and span tables. The builder's design, engineering and installation quality matter more than the brand.
Why are the R-values different?
They're published at different test temperatures — Bondor declares SolarSpan values at 23 °C, Stratco lists Cooldek at a 14 °C mean temperature — so the numbers aren't directly comparable.
Sources
Accessed 9–10 October 2026. Third-party prices are indicative market ranges, not quotes, and are not our prices.