You're spot-on about aluminum near the ocean—salt air really does a number on most metals. If anyone's still considering steel, I'd suggest looking into specialized coastal coatings...they can buy you a bit more time, but aluminum's still usually the safer bet long-term.
I've seen aluminum perform exceptionally well near the coast, but even then, it's not entirely immune. A few years back, I worked on a project right by the ocean—beautiful spot, but the salt air was relentless. The homeowner initially went with steel roofing, treated with one of those specialized coastal coatings you mentioned. It held up decently for about five or six years, but eventually, we started noticing corrosion spots, especially around fasteners and edges.
We ended up replacing it with aluminum panels, and the difference was pretty noticeable. Aluminum isn't bulletproof either—over time, you'll still see some minor oxidation—but it's usually superficial and doesn't compromise the integrity of the roof. Regular inspections and maintenance help a lot too. Keeping an eye out for any early signs of corrosion or damage makes a huge difference in longevity.
So yeah, I'd agree aluminum's generally the safer long-term choice near saltwater, but even then, don't skip on regular check-ups. Coastal environments are tough on everything.
Had a similar experience after Hurricane Sandy—steel roof near the shore got eaten up pretty bad around screws and edges. Switched to aluminum, held up way better. Still, salt air's no joke...regular checks are key.
Went through something similar myself. Had galvanized steel roofing on a beach cottage, thinking it'd last forever. Nope—after just five years, I was up there patching rust spots around the screws and edges. Switched to aluminum panels after that, and it's been smooth sailing since. Still, I spray down with fresh water every now and then to keep salt buildup at bay... learned the hard way that salt air doesn't mess around.
Did you ever look into coated steel panels before switching to aluminum? I've managed a few properties near the ocean, and while aluminum definitely holds up well, I've had decent luck with coated steel too—especially if you catch any scratches or dings early. Of course, nothing's totally salt-proof, right?
Also curious, did you notice a big price difference when you swapped materials? Aluminum seems like it could get pricey. Spraying down with fresh water is really smart... I advise tenants to do the same thing. It's amazing how quickly salt can build up even when things look clean. Glad you've found a solution that's working out!
