Roofing near the ocean—did you know salt air eats metal?

Yeah, I’m starting to get why people say “pick your poison” with this stuff. I went with treated wood for a deck, thinking it’d be less hassle, but the upkeep’s never-ending. Stainless is pricey, but at least you’re not chasing rust every season. Sometimes I wonder if there’s any material that actually wins against salt air long-term...

Man, salt air is relentless. I used to joke that my house was just a slow experiment in “how fast can things corrode?”—until I realized it wasn’t much of a joke. Treated wood, stainless, even those fancy “marine grade” fasteners, they all have their quirks. I went with composite for a small porch once, thinking I’d finally outsmarted the ocean. Nope. The boards warped after two summers, and the screws still rusted.

Honestly, I’ve seen folks try everything short of shrink-wrapping their whole deck. Stainless is solid, but like you said, the price tag stings. Wood’s a never-ending project. Even aluminum, which is supposed to be immune, gets those weird pockmarks if you’re too close to the beach. I guess it’s less about finding the perfect material and more about picking the one you’re willing to babysit the least.

If it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone in the “nothing lasts forever by the ocean” club. At least you get killer sunsets while you’re out there sanding or scrubbing...

That’s the truth—salt air just finds a way in, no matter what you use. I’ve been debating whether it’s even worth paying extra for “coastal” rated roofing, or if it’s just marketing. Has anyone here actually seen a big difference between regular galvanized and the pricier coated stuff? I’m tempted to just stick with asphalt shingles, but I keep hearing mixed things about how they hold up near the water.

I’ve been wrestling with the same questions since moving closer to the coast last year. The salt air is no joke—my neighbor’s metal shed started rusting after just a couple seasons, and he swears it was “coastal rated” too. I’m not sure if it’s just marketing hype or if there’s a real difference in those pricier coatings. Some folks around here say the extra layer helps, but I’ve also seen plenty of rusty roofs that were supposed to be protected.

Asphalt shingles are tempting because they’re cheaper and easier to replace, but I keep hearing mixed reviews about how they hold up with all the wind and salt. One contractor told me the granules can wear off faster, especially if you’re right on the water. But then again, metal roofs are expensive, and if they still end up rusting, what’s the point?

Has anyone actually tracked how long their “coastal” metal roof lasted compared to regular galvanized? I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth the upfront cost or if I should just budget for more frequent shingle replacements.

- Totally get it—

“if they still end up rusting, what’s the point?”