Repair Systems — 04
Step and counter-flashing systems — Colorbond steel
Technical product reference for Colorbond steel step and counter-flashing systems used in pitched tiled roof leak remediation. Covers product selection, forming methods, AS 1562.1 requirements, colour matching, and brand comparisons for Australian residential and strata buildings.
What are Colorbond step and counter-flashings?
Colorbond step and counter-flashings are pre-painted BlueScope steel flashings used at the junction between a pitched tiled roof and a masonry wall or chimney. The step flashing weaves between the tiles and the wall — either as individual soakers under each tile course, or as a continuous step flashing bent to follow the tile profile. The counter-flashing laps over the top of the step flashing and is fixed into a raked mortar joint in the masonry wall. Together, they form a two-part weathertight system that accommodates minor differential movement between the roof and the wall.
Product Reference
2 products — 2 brands — Colorbond steel step and counter-flashing — scroll to view all
Lysaght/BlueScope Colorbond Step Flashing
Colorbond steel step and counter-flashing — site-formed or pre-formed
System Description
Lysaght/BlueScope Colorbond step flashing is the most common material for step and counter-flashing installations against masonry walls on pitched tiled roofs across Australia. Produced from BlueScope Colorbond pre-painted steel sheet, this material is specified for both soaker-type step flashings that weave between tiles and the wall, and for continuous step flashings at wall junctions. The pre-painted Colorbond finish — applied in the factory — provides excellent corrosion resistance, colour retention, and compatibility with roofing tile colours and wall finishes. Colorbond step flashings are either formed by the roofing contractor on site from Colorbond coil or sheet stock using a sheet metal folder, or can be supplied pre-formed to a specified profile by a roofing sheet metal fabricator. Counter-flashings — the upper flashing fixed into a raked mortar joint in the masonry wall — are similarly formed from Colorbond sheet. The installation must comply with tile manufacturer requirements for soaker overlap and step flashing fixing, and with AS 1562.1 for metal roofing and wall cladding. Colour matching against the roof tiles or wall cladding is an important aesthetic requirement — select the Colorbond colour that most closely matches the tile colour or the wall render/cladding. Confirm the current Colorbond colour range and availability with BlueScope or the roofing sheet metal supplier before ordering.
Technical Properties
- BlueScope Colorbond pre-painted steel — factory-applied paint system over zinc-aluminium alloy-coated base steel substrate
- Available in the full standard Colorbond colour range — confirm current colour availability with BlueScope or sheet metal supplier
- Site-formed from Colorbond coil or flat sheet using a manual or powered folder — or supplied pre-formed to specification by fabricator
Limitations
- Cannot be formed by hand like lead — requires a sheet metal folder or brake to achieve clean, consistent bends — site-forming requires appropriate trade tools
- Factory colour is fixed — cannot easily be repainted on site to exactly match a non-standard tile colour — colour mismatch is a common aesthetic issue
- Not suitable for complex curved or irregular profiles where the material cannot be bent with a standard folder — use lead sheet for complex heritage applications
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Stramit Colorbond Step Flashing
Colorbond steel step and counter-flashing — site-formed
System Description
Stramit Colorbond step flashing is Stramit's equivalent product to the Lysaght/BlueScope Colorbond step flashing listed above. Stramit produces Colorbond-coated steel products from its own manufacturing facilities and distributes through its own branch network across Australia. The product performs identically to the Lysaght equivalent — same Colorbond pre-painted steel substrate, same colour range, same forming method. The primary distinction between Stramit and Lysaght Colorbond products is the supply chain — some roofing contractors and sheet metal fabricators source their Colorbond coil and sheet stock through Stramit branches rather than BlueScope/Lysaght distributors, depending on local branch proximity and trade account arrangements. Both products use BlueScope Colorbond steel and the Colorbond colour range is the same. For the roofing contractor forming step flashings on site from coil stock, the choice between Lysaght and Stramit Colorbond is typically determined by trade account and local supplier availability. Confirm the current product range and colour availability with the local Stramit branch before ordering.
Technical Properties
- Stramit Colorbond pre-painted steel — same BlueScope Colorbond substrate as Lysaght products
- Available in the standard Colorbond colour range — confirm current availability with local Stramit branch
- Site-formed from Colorbond coil or flat sheet using folder or brake — same forming method as Lysaght
Limitations
- Cannot be formed by hand — requires a sheet metal folder or brake — same tooling requirement as Lysaght Colorbond
- Fixed factory colour — cannot easily be repainted on site — same colour-matching limitation as all Colorbond products
- Dissimilar metal contact — same precautions apply as for Lysaght — do not use copper fixings or allow copper contact
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of Colorbond steel step and counter-flashing products. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer data before specifying.
| Product | Brand | Colour options | Custom forming | Corrosion resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lysaght/BlueScope Colorbond Step Flashing | BlueScope / Lysaght | Full standard Colorbond range — confirm current colours | Site-formed by roofer or pre-formed by fabricator | Excellent — Colorbond factory paint system over Zincalume substrate |
| Stramit Colorbond Step Flashing | Stramit | Full standard Colorbond range — confirm current colours | Site-formed from Colorbond coil by roofer | Excellent — same Colorbond factory paint system |
Do not confuse Colorbond step flashing with:
- Lead step flashing (Austral Lead Code 3 or Code 4 sheet) — a different material entirely, heavier, malleable, and self-sealing at overlaps — used for heritage buildings and high-specification tiled roofs — listed on the Step — lead page
- Aluminium step flashing (Capral, Metalcorp, or custom fabricator) — lighter, mill-finish or pre-painted aluminium sheet — listed on the Step — aluminium page — precautions for dissimilar metal contact apply
- Valley flashings — a different roofing element at the valley junction between two roof planes — listed on separate Valley Flashings pages
- Penetration flashing collars — preformed collar systems for pipes and vents through roof — listed on the Penetrations pages
- Colorbond roofing sheet — bulk roofing material, not a flashing product
Disclaimer
Step flashing design must comply with tile manufacturer requirements and AS 1562.1. Final product selection must be confirmed against the current manufacturer technical data sheet, project specification, tile profile, wall construction, and mortar joint type. Installed by a licensed roofing contractor. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering or roofing consultant advice.