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

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cyclotourist47
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(@cyclotourist47)
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Marine-grade stuff isn't always overkill, tbh. My uncle went galvanized with coatings near the coast, and within two years he was already fighting rust. Sometimes investing a bit more upfront saves headaches down the line...depends how close you are to the water, I guess.


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(@gardening586)
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Is marine-grade always the best call though? I mean, galvanized can struggle near saltwater, sure, but I've seen aluminum roofing hold up pretty well without going full marine-spec. Maybe it's more about material choice than just grade...?


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sstone88
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Marine-grade definitely has its perks, but honestly, I've seen coated steel roofs hold up surprisingly well near the coast. Aluminum's good too, but sometimes it's more about proper installation and regular maintenance than just the material grade alone...


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emily_fox
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You're spot on about installation and maintenance playing a huge role. I've seen coated steel roofs perform impressively near saltwater—but it's usually because the installers paid close attention to sealing edges and fasteners properly. Salt air loves to sneak into tiny gaps or scratches and start corrosion from within, so meticulous detailing is key.

Aluminum definitely has an edge in coastal areas because it naturally forms a protective oxide layer, but even then, it's not bulletproof. I've come across aluminum roofs that had issues simply because the fasteners weren't stainless or marine-grade themselves. Mixing incompatible metals can create galvanic corrosion, speeding up deterioration.

Another thing I've noticed is that roof pitch matters too. Steeper roofs shed salt spray and moisture faster, reducing the time corrosive elements sit on the metal surface. So yeah, material matters, but smart design choices and attention to detail during installation can make just as big a difference in longevity.


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(@space8847256)
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Good points about pitch and fasteners—makes sense. Curious though, has anyone tried zinc roofing near saltwater? Heard it's corrosion-resistant too, but wondering if galvanic issues pop up with zinc as well...


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