I guess my take is: yeah, salt air is rough on roofs, but sometimes asphalt can surprise you if you keep an eye on it and don’t expect miracles.
Couldn’t agree more. I’m about six blocks from the shore and went with asphalt too—mostly because my wallet started crying when I saw the price for synthetics. Five hurricanes later, it’s still hanging in there. You’re right about the granules though... feels like every storm leaves a little “roof confetti” in my gutters. As long as you’re up there checking after big blows, it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles (and your budget).
As long as you’re up there checking after big blows, it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles (and your budget).
That makes me feel a bit better, honestly. I’ve been stressing about every little shingle granule in the gutters, but maybe I’m overthinking it? Did you notice any leaks or soft spots after those hurricanes, or was it mostly just cosmetic stuff? I keep hearing horror stories about salt air eating everything, but it sounds like asphalt can hold up if you stay on top of maintenance. Still, I wonder if I’ll regret not going with metal down the line...
It’s easy to get worried about granules, but honestly, some loss is totally normal—especially after storms. I’ve seen plenty of roofs that looked rough in the gutters but didn’t leak or have any real damage underneath. As long as you’re not seeing soft spots or water stains inside, it’s usually just cosmetic wear. Salt air definitely eats at metal if it’s not coated right, but asphalt’s got its own quirks too—just keep up with regular checks and you’ll catch issues before they get serious. Metal’s great for longevity, but it’s not always worth the upfront cost unless you’re in it for the long haul.
Metal roofs are like that fancy car—looks great, but the maintenance is real near the coast. I’ve seen uncoated panels start rusting in just a couple years. If you’re sticking with shingles, just watch for bald spots and check after every big blow.
That’s the thing—metal roofs look slick, but unless you’re on top of the upkeep, that salty air will chew through ‘em faster than a seagull on a dropped french fry. I’ve seen some of those “coastal grade” panels hold up, but only if folks are religious about rinsing them off and keeping an eye out for nicks. Even then, once that coating gets scratched… it’s game over.
But shingles aren’t exactly carefree either. After that last nor’easter, my neighbor’s yard looked like a shingle graveyard—bits everywhere. I’m curious, has anyone tried those synthetic shingles or rubberized stuff? I keep hearing they’re supposed to outlast asphalt, but I haven’t actually seen them in action near the ocean. Do they really hold up to the wind and salt any better?
Also, what’s everyone doing about flashing? I swear half the leaks I get called out for are from rusty old flashing that nobody thought to check. Is copper worth the price hike, or does it just end up looking green and sad after a few seasons?
I’ll admit, I’m still haunted by the time I tried patching my own roof with one of those sticky tapes—looked fine until the next storm hit and water started running down my hallway wall. Anyone else had a patch job go sideways because of this salty air mess? Sometimes feels like you need a whole new roof every five years around here...
