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.
