BCA AND NSW BASIX CLASSIFICATION

COLORBOND® steel is a popular roofing choice for contemporary Australian homes. It offers a number of benefits, including thermal efficiency and a broad colour range. These tables set out the likely solar absorptance classification of COLORBOND® steel colours under the NSW Building and Sustainability Index ( BASIX) and the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

Light-coloured roofing material keeps cooler than darker coloured roofing material. The cooler temperature has many benefits including the ability to reduce energy costs for cooling a home. In recognition of the cooling benefits of lighter coloured roofing, various building regulations have incorporated colour as an energy efficiency design parameter.

The BCA has classified roof colour into light and dark on the basis of solar absorptance. The lighter complying colours in warm climates qualify for insulation concessions under the “deemed to satisfy” provisions.

BASIX has classified colour into light, medium and dark on the basis of solar absorptance. The lighter colours qualify for a “deemed to comply” insulation concession under BASIX. The light, medium and dark categories are also to be used in verification software, such as NatHERS, if the verification path is used to meet the BASIX thermal comfort requirement.

Colour classification in accordance with the BCA


Colour classification in accordance with BASIX


* Greater “deemed to satisfy” insulation concessions apply to these colours when used for Class 5 to 8, 9a and 9b buildings. Note: The classifi cation of colours is based on solar absorptance measured in accordance with ASTM E 903 – 96, standard test method for solar absorptance, refl ectance and transmittance of materials using integrating spheres. This information is subject to change without notice. COLORBOND®, ZINCALUME® and ® colour names are registered trademarks of BlueScope Steel Limited. ™ colour names are trademarks of BlueScope Steel Limited.

Source: Architects Handbook 2007/08