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

Green roofs can be a mixed bag when it comes to birds:
- Vegetation might attract more critters initially (bugs, worms, etc.), giving gulls a reason to hang around.
- But taller grasses or shrubs can discourage landing spots - birds prefer clear sightlines for safety.
- Seen some folks put up discreet netting or wires to deter them without ruining aesthetics.

Wondering if anyone's tried ultrasonic deterrents near the coast...do they even work on seagulls?

Tried ultrasonic deterrents a couple years back when gulls decided my roof was their new hangout spot. Honestly, results were pretty meh...maybe it annoyed them at first, but after a week or two they just ignored it completely. Ended up going with thin wires stretched across the roofline - barely noticeable from the ground and way more effective. Guess gulls just adapt too quickly to noise-based solutions, especially near the coast where they're used to constant racket anyway.

Yeah, ultrasonic stuff always seemed a bit gimmicky to me. My uncle tried something similar for pigeons at his beach house - same story. Worked for a couple days, then the birds just shrugged it off. Those thin wires you mentioned are pretty solid though; we installed them on a client's roof last summer and haven't heard any complaints yet. Guess gulls and pigeons are smarter (or maybe just more stubborn) than we give 'em credit for...

"Guess gulls and pigeons are smarter (or maybe just more stubborn) than we give 'em credit for..."

Ha, definitely leaning toward stubbornness myself. Speaking of those thin wires, any issues with corrosion from salt air yet? I've seen stainless steel hold up pretty well, but aluminum... not so much.

I've noticed stainless steel tends to hold up better overall, but it can still show some surface rust spots after a few seasons near the ocean. Aluminum, though... yeah, that's another story entirely. Had some aluminum flashing installed a while back to save costs, and it didn't take long before salt air started eating into it. Curious if anyone's experimented with protective coatings or treatments that actually hold up? Seems like a cheaper fix than replacing everything every few years.

Had similar issues with aluminum flashing near the coast - salt air is brutal. Tried a marine-grade clear coat a few years back, and it definitely slowed things down but wasn't foolproof. Ended up switching to copper flashing eventually... pricier upfront, but zero regrets so far. If you're set on aluminum or stainless, maybe look into epoxy-based coatings? Heard decent things, though haven't personally tested yet.

"Ended up switching to copper flashing eventually... pricier upfront, but zero regrets so far."

Copper definitely has its perks, especially with salt air corrosion. But honestly, I think stainless steel deserves another look before you rule it out completely. A buddy of mine lives right on the coast, and he went with stainless flashing coated with a specialized epoxy-based marine paint. It's been about five years now, and surprisingly, it's still holding strong - no noticeable corrosion or peeling yet.

I get the appeal of copper (it looks great too), but the upfront cost can be pretty steep. Stainless steel with the right coating might strike a good balance between durability and budget. Of course, nothing's 100% foolproof near the ocean, but if done right, stainless might get you pretty close without breaking the bank. Just my two cents...

Copper's a solid choice for sure, especially if you're looking long-term. Stainless with marine paint sounds interesting though - might be worth keeping in mind if budget becomes an issue down the road. Either way, sounds like you're set for a while!

Copper definitely holds up well - seen it last decades even right by the coast. Stainless with marine-grade paint can work too, but prep and application gotta be spot-on. Either way, sounds like you've done your homework...good luck with the project!

Copper's definitely a solid choice, but I've seen aluminum roofing with a proper marine-grade coating hold up surprisingly well too. The key is really in the details - fasteners, flashing, and seams all need extra attention near saltwater.

"prep and application gotta be spot-on."

Exactly this. Even minor oversights can lead to corrosion creeping in sooner than you'd expect. I'd personally lean toward copper if budget allows, but either way, meticulous installation is your best defense against salt air damage.

Had an aluminum roof installed on a beach rental a few years back - figured I'd save some bucks over copper. Installer swore up and down his marine-grade coating was bulletproof. Two seasons later, I'm up there patching corrosion spots with sealant, cursing myself for cheaping out. Moral of the story: if you're near saltwater, either go copper or get reeeal friendly with your ladder...

"Moral of the story: if you're near saltwater, either go copper or get reeeal friendly with your ladder..."

Interesting point, but isn't stainless steel roofing an option too? I've heard some coastal homeowners swear by it - anyone tried that route, or does salt air chew through stainless eventually as well?

Stainless steel can definitely hold up better than regular steel, but it's not bulletproof against salt air. I've seen neighbors try it - looked great at first, but after a few years, they still had some corrosion spots popping up. Copper seems to age more gracefully, even if it's pricier upfront. Still, stainless might be worth considering if you're okay with occasional maintenance checks and spot treatments. Either way, your ladder's gonna stay busy...

"Copper seems to age more gracefully, even if it's pricier upfront."

True, copper does develop that nice patina over time, but let's not pretend it's maintenance-free either. I've inspected plenty of coastal homes where copper flashing and gutters ended up with pinhole leaks and corrosion spots after a few years. Honestly, aluminum might be underrated here - it's lighter on the wallet, and with a proper marine-grade coating, it can handle salt air surprisingly well. Might save you some ladder trips...

"Honestly, aluminum might be underrated here - it's lighter on the wallet, and with a proper marine-grade coating, it can handle salt air surprisingly well."

Yeah, aluminum's definitely a solid choice if you prep it right. But have you guys ever tried stainless steel flashing near the coast? I helped on a job last summer where the homeowner insisted on stainless steel gutters and flashing because he'd had enough of copper corroding. At first, I thought he was just being picky (and spending way too much), but honestly, after seeing how well it held up after a few storms, I kinda get it now. Sure, it's not as pretty as copper's patina, but if you're tired of patching pinholes and climbing ladders every other weekend, stainless might be worth considering. Anyone else seen stainless hold up long-term near saltwater? Curious if it stays as solid as it looked after that first year...

Stainless steel definitely holds up well long-term near saltwater, provided it's the right grade. I've inspected homes near the coast that had 316 stainless flashing and gutters installed 5-10 years ago, and they still looked solid. The key is using marine-grade stainless (316 rather than 304), since it has higher corrosion resistance. It's pricier upfront, but if you're tired of constant maintenance, it's probably worth the investment in the long run.

- Agree on 316 stainless - seen it hold up pretty well myself.
- Still, even marine-grade isn't bulletproof. I've noticed minor pitting after about a decade, especially in areas with heavy salt spray.
- Might wanna consider pairing stainless with non-metal solutions like green roofs or vegetation barriers. Plants can buffer salt air surprisingly well...
- Bit pricier upfront, sure, but cuts down maintenance headaches long-term.

We've been dealing with this exact issue at our place near the coast. Went with marine-grade stainless about 8 years ago, and it's held up pretty well overall, but yeah, definitely not perfect. I've noticed some tiny pits starting to form around the edges and seams where salt spray tends to collect.

Funny you mention vegetation barriers - our neighbor put in a green roof setup a few years back, and honestly, I was skeptical at first (seemed like an expensive hassle). But now, seeing how little maintenance they've had compared to us... I'm reconsidering. The plants seem to soak up or block a lot of that salty air somehow. Plus, it looks pretty nice too.

Still, the upfront cost is no joke. We're on a tight budget, so I'm thinking maybe just adding some strategic plantings around the perimeter might be a good compromise for now. A friend suggested hardy coastal shrubs or grasses as buffers - anyone tried something like that? Curious if it actually helps enough to justify the effort.

Anyway, appreciate all the insights here - definitely gives me some ideas to chew on before we tackle our next round of roof repairs.

We see this all the time in coastal inspections - marine-grade stainless is solid, but salt air is relentless. Honestly, strategic plantings can make a noticeable difference. I've seen properties with hardy shrubs like wax myrtle or beach plum around the perimeter, and it genuinely seems to cut down on corrosion. Won't completely solve the issue, but it's a cost-effective step that buys you some extra years...plus, your yard ends up looking pretty nice too.

"Honestly, strategic plantings can make a noticeable difference."

Interesting point about the shrubs - I hadn't thought of plants as corrosion protection before. I manage a couple coastal properties, and we've mainly relied on marine-grade materials and regular maintenance schedules. But now I'm curious...have you noticed if certain types of shrubs or plant arrangements work better than others? We have some wax myrtles around one property already, but maybe adding beach plum or other hardy natives could help even more. Worth looking into anyway, especially if it helps slow down the salt damage and makes the landscape more appealing at the same time. Thanks for bringing this up!