I really like to specify Colorbond Windspray but it is often a maligned colour in the Colorbond range. The thing about Colorbond Windspray is that it has a base that sometimes appears blue and sometimes green, depending on the time of day, and it is this chameleon quality that can put people off. What I like about Windspray, in comparison to Colorbond Shale Grey, is that it has a little more depth and is a good option for people who want a grey roof that isn't too dark, but also won't get too dirty.
I have some more thoughts on how to use Colorbond Windspray below:
The underlying tone of Colorbond Windspray
So, as said, Windspray does have a slight green/blue undertone which makes it more of a battleship grey. The house below has a Colorbond Windspray roof, gutter and garage door with Surfmist fascia, posts and windows and Shale Grey weatherboards. This is a classic combination which is very much on trend. If you wanted a lighter look, you could have the garage in Surfmist instead of Windspray.
Clearly the undertone in Windspray is more evident on a hip roof or gable roof. This is also more noticeable in the sun when the grey washes out. However, the same house below from the rear has a skillion style roof and you therefore only see the gutter. With this style of roof, the colour barely makes an impact on the overall look of the house.
You can team Windspray with Dover White for a fresh coastal scheme or with other cool greys like Colorbond Shale Grey and Basalt. Silvery green greys and cool off whites also work really well with Windspray.
Colorbond Windspray for traditional homes
My choice for a heritage roof colour is often Colorbond Windspray as this is the closest to the old galvanised corrugated iron roofs. A Zincalume roof is also a good choice, but often people can be reticent about using this. The house below is a very traditional heritage style home and I believe the Windspray roof here is a perfect choice to create the right look. By keeping the colour just to the roof and gutter and introducing a white fascia, you don't notice the underlying colour in the grey.
Introducing a different coloured trim
The biggest appeal, apart from aesthetics, of a light coloured roof is that it reflects the heat. Not so much a problem in some parts of the country, but this is a really important design feature in the hotter areas if you want to build a house that is sustainable.
The main point to remember when choosing a light roof is that you don't need to have the gutters and fascia in the same colour. The house below has a Colorbond Windspray roof, but it is disguised with a smart dark gutter and crisp white fascia that ties in with the rest of the house. The Windspray roof gives the house a very classic feel, but the grey and certainly any undertone you may see, is not evident at all.
I really like this design tip. Often clients are very wary of doing this, and of course the effect is different depending on the pitch of the roof, but it is certainly something you should bear in mind when you are choosing Colorbond colours.
You should also consider whether your house is on the high or low side of the street and think about how much of the roof you will actually see at street level. The house above has a Colorbond Windspray roof, gutter and garage with Surfmist fascia, trim and windows. Being on the high side of the street with double storey houses either side, means that you don't see much of the roof at all.
Colorbond Windspray is an Ultra Steel colour
Lastly, a really good reason to select Windspray for your roof is that it blends in beautifully with the water. Therefore, when you have neighbours behind you who look out to the ocean or another body of water over your roofline, your roof will just blend into the horizon. It doesn't have the glare of Surfmist or Shale Grey or the strong colour or depth of many of the other options, which makes it the perfect choice in these locations. Colorbond Windspray is an Ultra Steel colour, which means it can be used close to the sea and will withstand the harsher conditions. There are six Ultra colours: Monument, Woodland Grey, Surfmist, Dune, Wallaby and Windspray.
The house above was designed by Lucy Glade Wright from Hunting for George. The classic Windspray roof and gutter suits both the coastal location of this home and the heritage value of this property. Windspray has been used on other elements of the exterior too which helps it to nestle into its coastal bush setting. I have the whole house tour here.
Unfortunately, Colorbond Windspray is not in the new Matt range of colours.
I have two related posts that you may find interesting: How to select roofs, gutters and fascias and Using Surfmist as a trim colour.
I hope that this has given you some inspiration and confidence to choose Windspray (or not)! If you are building or renovating your home, I have a FREE Resource Library with checklists and e-books for you to download. You can sign up for FREE here.
