# Roofing in Perth's eastern suburbs URL: https://perthroofquotes.com/service-area/eastern-suburbs/ Updated: 2026-10-17 > Roofs in Perth's eastern suburbs range from Federation and inter-war homes in the heritage areas of Bassendean and Guildford, through post-war brick-and-tile homes in Bayswater and Belmont, to newer estates around Ellenbrook and the foothills below the Darling Scarp. Heritage approvals, hot summer easterlies, rooftop equipment and bushfire mapping near the scarp are the main local questions. The eastern suburbs follow the Swan River upstream from Belmont and Bayswater to Bassendean, Guildford and Midland, then spread north to Ellenbrook and south-east to the foothills of the Darling Scarp in the City of Kalamunda. Historic Guildford, a State Heritage Listed Place, sits a short distance from estates that are only a few decades old. Being well away from breaking surf, these suburbs see little of the salt exposure that dominates coastal roofing advice. The local questions are more about heritage rules on older streets, summer heat, equipment mounted on the roof and, closer to the scarp, bushfire mapping. ## What roofs are common here? - **Corrugated steel and terracotta on Federation and inter-war homes.** These are found in older parts of Bassendean, Guildford and Midland. The Town of Bassendean's heritage policy lists corrugated steel roof sheeting and terracotta roof tiles in the material palette of its Kenny Street and Devon Road heritage areas. - **Concrete tile on post-war and later brick homes.** This is common in suburbs such as Belmont, Rivervale, Morley, Embleton, Eden Hill and Forrestfield. - **Pre-painted steel such as COLORBOND steel.** Seen on many newer homes in Ellenbrook, Aveley and The Vines, and on re-roofs of older houses. - **Asbestos cement.** Possible on homes, sleepouts, patios and sheds built before about 1990. Many homes also carry roof-mounted evaporative coolers and solar panels. Each one adds penetrations, mounting points and flashings that have to stay watertight. *Image: Solar panels on rails above a concrete-tile roof, with conduit running across the tiles. Panels, conduit and coolers all add fixings and penetrations to check.* ## Local conditions that affect roofs ### Summer heat and easterly winds Perth summers bring intense sun and UV, and hot easterly winds are common. Sun and heat fade coatings and break down sealants, flexible pointing and some plastics, so check the sealant around vents, skylights and cooler ducts, as well as plastic vent caps. Roof colour and insulation affect how much heat reaches the rooms below; see [roof colours and heat](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/roof-colours-and-heat/) and [sarking and insulation](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/roof-sarking-and-insulation/). ### Rooftop coolers and solar panels A roof-mounted evaporative cooler sits over a duct cut through the roof, and its flashing, the unit's drain line and any service traffic can all lead to leaks. If solar panels need to be removed for roof work, an electrician is usually involved; see [roof work and solar panels](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/roof-work-and-solar-panels/). ### Older roofs on heritage streets Federation and inter-war roofs may have been patched many times, often with materials that do not match. Matching an old corrugated profile or an early terracotta tile can take longer, and heritage rules may decide what is acceptable (see below). ### Foothills and bushland edges Suburbs at the base of the scarp, such as Forrestfield, Maida Vale, High Wycombe and Wattle Grove, sit closer to bushland than most of the eastern suburbs. Some properties there may fall within mapped bushfire prone areas. For homes higher up the scarp, see our page on [roofing in the Perth Hills](https://perthroofquotes.com/service-area/perth-hills/). ## Permits and local rules Permit and planning questions go to the City of Bayswater, Town of Bassendean, City of Belmont, City of Swan or City of Kalamunda, depending on the address. Heritage rules are the main local difference here: - **Guildford and Mandoon.** The City of Swan says development approval is required before any works can occur in Guildford/Mandoon, because it is a State Heritage Listed Place and Local Heritage Area. It also says development approval will most likely be needed for any alterations in the Woodbridge Heritage Area. - **Bassendean.** The Town of Bassendean's Local Planning Policy No. 4 designates heritage areas including Kenny Street, Devon Road and Old Perth Road. For heritage-protected places, the original roof line must not be altered, and a replacement roof must keep the roof line and use similar materials and colours. - **Everywhere else.** Ask the council whether the property is on its heritage list before changing the roof's material, colour or shape. A heritage approval is separate from a building permit. A change of roof material can need both; see [building permits for roof work](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/building-permits-for-roof-work-wa/). ## Common jobs and what to ask - **Re-roofing an older home.** Ask how the new roof will match the original profile and who will seek any heritage approval before work starts. See [roof replacement](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-replacement-perth/). - **Leaks around coolers, vents and skylights.** Ask whether the flashing will be replaced or only resealed. See [roof flashing repairs](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-flashing-repairs-perth/). - **Broken or slipped tiles.** Ask whether matching tiles are available. See [tile roof repairs](https://perthroofquotes.com/tile-roof-repairs-perth/). - **Faded or chalky steel.** Ask whether the sheets are sound enough to coat. See [roof painting](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-painting-perth/) and [metal roof repairs](https://perthroofquotes.com/metal-roof-repairs-perth/). - Is the property in a heritage area or on the heritage list, and what does that require for this job? - Which roof penetrations will be checked or reflashed as part of the work? - Will solar panels or a cooler need to be disconnected or lifted, and by whom? - What sealants and coatings are proposed, and how do they cope with summer sun? ## Getting a quote in the eastern suburbs Request a quote from anywhere in the eastern suburbs, from Belmont to Ellenbrook and the foothills. When you fill in the [quote form](https://perthroofquotes.com/quote/), mention: - whether the house is in Guildford, a Bassendean heritage area or another heritage area; - any roof-mounted cooler, solar panels or skylights; - the roof material and approximate age of the house; - whether the property is near bushland at the foot of the scarp. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need approval before replacing the roof on a house in Guildford? Yes. The City of Swan says development approval is required before any works can occur in Guildford/Mandoon, so contact its planning staff before you accept a quote. ### Are there heritage rules for roof work on older homes in Bassendean? Yes, for heritage-protected places. The Town of Bassendean's heritage policy says the original roof line must not be altered, and a replacement roof should keep the roof line and use similar materials and colours to the original. ### Does a roof-mounted evaporative cooler near bushland need an ember screen? DFES says a home within 500 metres of bushland with a roof-mounted evaporative cooler may be at increased risk of ember attack, and an ember protection screen can reduce that risk. Ask an air-conditioning technician about fitting one. ### Why does the sealant around my roof vents keep cracking? Many sealants and plastics break down under strong sun and repeated heating and cooling, and summers here are hot and bright. Ask the contractor whether a mechanical flashing would last better than sealant alone at that spot.