Metal roofs and salt air just don’t mix, no matter what the marketing says. I moved in thinking stainless would be a “forever” solution, but after two winters, the edges were already showing rust. Tried patching and repainting, but it felt like a losing battle. I haven’t gone the living roof route—worried about weight and leaks—but I did switch to clay tiles. Not cheap, but they’ve held up way better so far, and I don’t have to stress every time a storm rolls in.
Interesting, but I’ve seen some metal roofs hold up pretty well near the coast, especially if they’re aluminum or have a solid marine coating. Did you look into those before switching? Clay tiles are classic, but what about the extra weight on older framing? Just curious if you had to reinforce anything or if it was a straight swap.
Yeah, aluminum with a marine-grade coating definitely holds up better than plain steel, but even then, salt air finds a way over time. I get the appeal of clay tiles—timeless look and all that—but you’re right, weight’s a big deal. Most older homes need at least some reinforcement, otherwise you’re risking sagging or worse. I’ve seen people skip that step and regret it after a heavy rain. Honestly, if you’re going for longevity and minimal upkeep, have you ever thought about green or living roofs? Not for everyone, but they’re surprisingly resilient near the coast and way lighter than people assume.
Green roofs are cool in theory, but I’ve seen a few go sideways when folks skip the waterproofing or drainage details. They can definitely be lighter than tile, though. Curious—has anyone here actually had one for more than five years near the coast?
I’m about six years in with a green roof, about a mile from the coast—so yeah, salt’s definitely a factor. The waterproofing is the big thing, like you said. I went with a root barrier and double membrane setup after hearing horror stories from folks who cheaped out. Haven’t had leaks yet, but I do have to check drainage every winter because the coastal wind blows sand and debris into the gutters like crazy. Has anyone else noticed plant selection making a difference in longevity or maintenance? Sedums seem to handle the salty mist better than some grasses, at least in my experience.
