Laburnum Primary School

A successful project starts with a strong team and for this project, Dulux Acratex’s Project Manager and Senior Development Chemist worked closely with professional roofing applicators All Roof Repairs. Support and coordination from the President of Laburnum Primary School Council and staff ensured the project ran smoothly.

Products used to complete this roof restoration included:

- Dulux Acratex Metal Roof Renew was used as the main coating system for the restoration due to its suitability for ageing metal substrates, including Zincalume®, aluminium, galvanised steel and aged Colorbond® While the product is capable of delivering self-priming performance on suitably prepared aged Colorbond® and compatible substrates, a project-specific decision was made to incorporate a dedicated primer in response to the age and variable condition of the existing Colorbond® metal roof. This approach helped manage substrate inconsistencies and supported optimal adhesion across the roof, while still delivering excellent UV resistance, colour durability and long-term protection in harsh Australian conditions. The system is also approved as safe for the collection of drinking water.

- Dulux Acratex Roof Primer MX Plus is a quick-drying, grey water-based primer designed to promote strong adhesion on new or weathered galvanised Zincalume, Zincanneal, aluminium and aged Colorbond.

- Sierra Roof Cleaner - As roofs gradually build up dirt, mould and other surface contaminants, creating an environment for fungal growth, Sierra's Roof Cleaner was applied to remove the buildup and eliminate mould ahead of restoration.

Located in Blackburn, in Melbourne's east, Laburnum Primary School is a thriving local school with facilities including a stadium-sized hall, community centre, resource centre, performing arts centre and STEM centre.

Approximately 1,500 sqm of Colorbond® metal roof on the school's performing arts centre was in poor condition and required restoration to restore its appearance and extend its lifespan.

Dulux Acratex was pleased to deliver the roof restoration as a community project, with no cost to Laburnum Primary School.

Laburnum Primary School's Performing Arts Centre is a heritage building first constructed in the 1800s. Its roof was in poor condition due to extensive weathering and chalking. A fungal and algae infestation was also present, while the roof's original colour was looking extremely tired and unattractive. Despite these issues, the roof was still structurally sound and suitable for restoration, making it an ideal candidate for a coating-based solution rather than a full replacement.

The roof also presented significant application challenges due to age, steep pitch (over 30 degrees), size (approx. 1500 sqm) and variable substrate condition.

The Dulux Acratex Metal Roof Renew system uses a structured approach - Prepare, Treat, Restore - which ensured a successful roof restoration.

Step 1- (Prepare) The preparation phase covered inspection, safety measures, necessary repairs and comprehensive cleaning to establish a sound base for the coating system.

Step 2 - (Treat) The roof was treated with recommended sealers and primers, selected based on the substrate condition, to stabilise the surface and ensure long-lasting protection.

Step 3 - (Restore) To complete the restoration, the team used an airless spray system to apply two coats of Dulux Acratex Metal Roof Renew in Basalt, resulting in smooth, consistent colour and a fully renewed finish.

Professional roof applicators carried out the restoration using Dulux Acratex Metal Roof Renew. They utilised Dulux Acratex recommended spray-application techniques, with the product's extended wet-edge time helping to achieve smooth, consistent coverage and a high-quality finish.

The project was completed within three days, effectively addressing the roof's condition and providing a long-term, sustainable solution. The restored roof is expected to deliver an additional 10 - 15 years of service life, avoiding the significantly higher cost of replacing the roof and reducing the environmental impact associated with a full re-roof.

- The Dulux Acratex Metal Roof Renew system successfully resolved the key issues affecting the roof, including areas of mould and chalking, while extending the roof's service life by an estimated 10 - 15 years. The project delivered a seamless, even finish across the entire roof, with no visible overlap or join marks, even at application break points. The restored roof now provides strong UV protection, improved aesthetics and long-term durability suited to harsh Australian conditions.

- Applicators from All Roof Repairs reported excellent ease of use throughout the project, noting consistent performance across both spray and brush applications.

- The project also demonstrated strong environmental and safety credentials, including:

- Simple water-based clean-up

- No hazardous residues

- Suitable for water collection

Reflecting on the outcome, Dulux Acratex's Project Manager said, "This project shows how Dulux Acratex Metal Roof Renew can transform an ageing metal roof into a modern, refreshed surface with long-lasting durability. It's a highly effective and sustainable alternative to full roof replacement, delivering strong performance and an impressive visual upgrade.