I've inspected a few coastal properties with zinc roofs, and honestly, they've held up pretty well. Zinc naturally forms a protective patina over time, which helps resist corrosion from salt air. But you're right to wonder about galvanic reactions—saw one place where they mixed zinc with incompatible fasteners, and sure enough, corrosion popped up around those spots. Stick to compatible materials and proper installation though, and zinc can definitely be a solid choice near saltwater.
Good to hear zinc roofs can hold up near the ocean. I'm a first-time homeowner near the coast, and honestly, roofing choices had me stressed out at first. Everyone kept warning me about salt air eating through metal, so I almost ruled out metal roofs entirely. Glad I didn't jump the gun.
"Stick to compatible materials and proper installation though, and zinc can definitely be a solid choice near saltwater."
That's reassuring. Seems like most issues come down to installation details rather than the material itself. I guess it's similar to when I had my deck built—contractor used the wrong screws, and within months they were rusting out. Lesson learned: details matter. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience; makes me feel better about considering zinc after all.
- Zinc is decent, but I'd still be cautious. Even with proper install, salt spray can shorten lifespan compared to inland areas.
- Have you considered aluminum roofing? It's pricier upfront, but naturally more resistant to corrosion near the ocean.
- Had a client switch from zinc to aluminum after about 10 years—zinc held up okay, but maintenance was higher than expected. Just something to keep in mind...
Aluminum's solid, but I've seen coastal properties do surprisingly well with coated steel roofing too. Properly treated steel can hold up longer than you'd think, and it's often cheaper than aluminum. Might be worth considering depending on budget constraints...
Good points—coated steel can definitely surprise you. A few things I've noticed:
- Proper installation matters big-time; exposed edges or scratches rust fast.
- Regular rinsing helps a ton with salt buildup.
- Warranty terms vary widely, so double-check those details before deciding.
