Colorbond’s New Colours (Dover White, Southerly, Bluegum) on Trimdek vs. Custom Orb: Which Profile Shows Them Best? 

Since the new Colorbond colours landed, the question at our Truganina counter has changed. It is no longer just “which colour”, it is “which colour on which profile”. Dover White™, Southerly® and Bluegum® from BlueScope’s refreshed palette look noticeably different on the wide flat pans of Trimdeck than they do on the rolling curves of Custom Orb style corrugated, and choosing them together saves rework, returns and regret. 

Here is what we see when the sheets come off the truck, plus the numbers that should guide your supply order. 

Why the Same Colour Reads Differently on Each Profile 

Steel colour is only half the story. Rib geometry controls shadow, and shadow controls how a colour reads from the street: 

• Custom Orb’s continuous 16mm wave throws soft, curved shadow lines across every sheet, so the colour shifts subtly through the day and gains visual depth 
• Trimdek’s wide, flat pans show the truest, largest swatch of the colour, broken by sharp trapezoidal rib shadows, which reads clean and contemporary 
• Pale colours can look glary on big flat pans in full sun; corrugation softens them 
• Mid tones flatten out on corrugate from a distance, while flat pans keep them looking rich and deliberate 

Our habit at the yard: lay an offcut of each profile side by side in daylight before a customer commits. The swatch card never tells the whole story. 

The New Colorbond Colours by the Numbers: Solar Absorptance and Best Profile 

BlueScope publishes nominal solar absorptance (SA) for every colour, and lower SA means a cooler roof. Here is how the three newcomers compare, with the pairing we recommend most often: 

Colour	Solar Absorptance	Solar Reflectance Index	Shows best on
Dover White™	0.28	88	Trimdek pans for crisp modern builds; corrugated for coastal weatherboard looks
Southerly®	0.40	71	Either profile; its concrete-like grey suits Trimdek beside rendered walls
Bluegum®	0.57	48	Custom Orb, where curved shadows give the blue grey real depth

Dover White carries the lowest solar absorptance in the standard palette, which makes it a smart pick for west facing roofs and energy conscious builds. These figures come from BlueScope’s published thermal data for the COLORBOND® steel range. 

Both our Corrugated 0.42 and Trimdeck 0.48 sheets also include Thermatech® solar reflectance technology as standard. 

Matt Finish: Check Availability Before You Fall in Love 

This catches people out every month. The Matt range covers six colours only: Surfmist®, Shale Grey™, Dune®, Bluegum®, Basalt® and Monument®. 

• Of the three new colours, only Bluegum comes in a Matt finish 
• Dover White and Southerly are Classic finish only 
• Matt Bluegum on Trimdek is the pairing architects keep specifying: the velvety finish suits wide flat pans and hides glare beautifully 
• Matt sheets are rolled to order, so confirm colour and finish at the time of ordering rather than assuming stock 

If a client asks for “matt white”, the honest answer is Surfmist Matt, not Dover White. We have that conversation weekly. 

Trims, Gutters and Flashings in the New Palette 

All three new colours are produced for guttering and fascia as well as roofing, so a full colour match is possible. To keep the job looking sharp: 

• Order roof sheets, gutters and custom flashings together so everything comes from matching batches 
• We fold flashings up to 8 metres in Colorbond to suit either profile, including barge and apron profiles cut for Trimdek and corrugated 
• Use colour matched roofing screws; bright zinc heads ruin a Dover White roof from the footpath 
• A popular combination right now: Bluegum roof, Dover White gutters and fascia for contrast 

Swatches, Samples and Timing Your Order for Reroof Season 

Screens lie about colour, and BlueScope itself recommends checking a physical sample before purchase. Posted swatch packs are free from Colorbond but take time to arrive, so build that into your schedule: 

• Order swatches early, or skip the wait and view full sheets at our Truganina showroom the same day 
• Corrugated sheets are cut to length from 1.2m to 24m, and Trimdeck orders placed before 10am are typically ready for delivery in about two days across Melbourne 
• Installers book out fast once the weather turns, so lock colours and quantities before the rush, not during it 

For help matching profile to pitch and fixing method, see our companion guide, Trimdek vs. Custom Orb vs. Kliplok: The Fixing Method and Pitch Decision Every Melbourne Reroof Comes Down To. 

Our Verdict: Pairing the New Colours with the Right Profile 

• Dover White: Trimdek for sharp, modern skillions; corrugated when you want classic coastal charm 
• Southerly: the safest all-rounder on either profile, especially beside concrete and pale timber 
• Bluegum: Custom Orb for character homes; Bluegum Matt on Trimdek for ultra-modern builds 

Background reading: How Colorbond Roof Sheets Keep Homes Cooler in Rye, Dromana & Rosebud from this series pairs well with the solar absorptance data above, and Dulux Acratex Roof Membrane vs the Aussie Sun looks at how Melbourne’s UV treats roof finishes over time. More guides live on the Singh Roofing Supplies blog. 

Undecided between two colours? Bring your fascia or brick sample to the Truganina showroom, or call (03) 9394 1400 and we will hold both profiles aside for you to compare. 

Frequently Asked Question 

Which new Colorbond colour keeps a roof coolest? 

Dover White, with a nominal solar absorptance of 0.28, is the lowest in the standard palette. Southerly sits at 0.40, while Bluegum is a mid tone at 0.57. 

Are Dover White and Southerly available in a Matt finish? 

No. The Matt range covers Surfmist, Shale Grey, Dune, Bluegum, Basalt and Monument. Bluegum is the only new colour offered in Matt; the others are Classic finish only. 

Can I get gutters and flashings in the new colours? 

Yes. Dover White, Southerly and Bluegum are all produced for guttering and fascia, and we fold custom Colorbond flashings to match either Trimdek or corrugated profiles.