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Sarking & Resarking Canberra

Sarking is the reflective foil layer that sits between your roof covering and the structure — a second line of defence against water, a barrier to dust and embers, and a real insulation gain in Canberra's cold winters. We lay new sarking on every re-roof, and re-sark older roofs that never had it or whose sarking has torn or perished.

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What's Included

  • ✔️ Sarking on new roofsReflective foil sarking laid as standard on every re-roof and new roof we install.
  • ✔️ ResarkingOlder roofs that never had sarking, or whose foil has perished, re-sarked during a restoration or re-roof.
  • ✔️ Thermal upgradeThe chance to add or upgrade insulation while the roof is open — a genuine Canberra winter difference.
  • ✔️ Condensation controlSarking that manages condensation in cold roof spaces, protecting timbers and insulation.
  • ✔️ Second water barrierA backup layer that catches wind-driven rain or the odd leak before it reaches your ceiling.
  • ✔️ Ember & dust barrierExtra protection against wind-blown dust and embers — worth having on bush-edge streets.
Reflective foil sarking laid over roof battens during a Canberra re-roof
Reflective foil sarking laid over roof battens during a Canberra re-roof

What sarking actually does

Sarking is easy to overlook because you never see it once the roof's on — but it does a lot of quiet work. The reflective foil bounces summer heat away from the roof space and helps hold winter warmth in, which matters in a city with Canberra's temperature swing. It acts as a second water barrier, catching wind-driven rain that gets past the tiles or sheets before it can reach your ceiling. And it keeps dust and embers out of the roof cavity. On a re-roof it costs little to include and pays back every season.

Does your roof have sarking?

Plenty of older Canberra homes were built without sarking, or with an early foil that's since torn, sagged or perished. If your roof space gets baking hot in summer and freezing in winter, or you've had dust and the odd wind-driven drip in the cavity, there's a good chance the sarking is missing or failed. We can tell you during any inspection or re-roof, and re-sark as part of the work.

  • Roof space that's extreme in both summer and winter
  • Dust building up in the roof cavity
  • Wind-driven drips that never quite become a 'real' leak
  • An older home that predates sarking as standard

Sarking and Canberra winters

Canberra's winters are the case for sarking. The reflective layer, paired with proper ceiling insulation, slows the heat your home loses through the roof — the single biggest escape route for warmth. Adding or upgrading both while the roof is open during a re-roof is one of the most cost-effective comfort improvements you can make to an older Canberra home, and you feel it on the first cold night.

When we sark or re-sark

  1. 1

    During a re-roof

    New sarking is laid as standard over the battens before the new tile or metal goes on.

  2. 2

    During a restoration

    Where tiles are lifted for major work, we can re-sark sections that have failed.

  3. 3

    As an upgrade

    We advise on adding sarking and insulation together while the roof's open, for the biggest winter gain.

Sarking & Resarking — Common Questions

What is sarking?

It's the reflective foil layer laid under your roof covering, over the battens. It reflects heat, acts as a second water barrier against wind-driven rain, and keeps dust and embers out of the roof space.

Do I need sarking?

If you're re-roofing, yes — it's cheap to include while the roof is open and pays back every season in comfort and protection. Many older Canberra homes were built without it and benefit a lot from re-sarking.

Does sarking help with Canberra's cold winters?

Yes — paired with ceiling insulation it slows the heat your home loses through the roof, which is the biggest escape route for warmth. It's one of the most cost-effective winter comfort upgrades on an older home.

How do I know if my roof has sarking?

Often you can't from inside without a look — but a roof space that's extreme in summer and winter, or dust and the odd wind-driven drip in the cavity, are good clues it's missing or failed. We check during any inspection or re-roof.

Can you add sarking without replacing my whole roof?

It's most practical during a re-roof or where tiles are already being lifted for major restoration, because the covering has to come off to lay it. We'll advise the most cost-effective way to do it for your roof.

Is sarking a fire or ember barrier?

It adds a layer that helps keep wind-blown embers and dust out of the roof cavity — worth having on Canberra's bush-edge streets, as part of a broader ember-aware approach rather than a standalone fire rating.

Does sarking stop condensation?

The right sarking helps manage condensation in a cold roof space, which protects your timbers and insulation. It's part of why a properly sarked roof is a healthier roof in Canberra's climate.

Sarking & Resarking Across Canberra

Servicing all Canberra suburbs including:

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