I went with aluminum after a lot of back and forth, mainly because I just didn’t want to mess with constant upkeep. The upfront cost stung, but I figured it’d pay off not having to deal with rust patches every year. My neighbor did coated steel and he’s always out there touching up spots... looks like a hassle. If you’re planning to stay put, the peace of mind with aluminum is worth it, at least for me. Just my two cents.
Aluminum’s definitely less hassle, but I’ve seen some folks complain about noise during heavy rain—like, way louder than asphalt or tile. Has that been an issue for you? I manage a few places closer to the water and we’ve had mixed feedback. Also curious if you noticed any fading or chalking on the finish over time. The salt air just seems to find a way in no matter what you do...
Noise is definitely a thing with aluminum, especially in a real downpour. I’ve inspected a few places right on the coast where you can barely hear yourself think when it’s coming down hard. Some folks actually like that “white noise” effect, but others say it drives them nuts, especially in bedrooms or offices. I’ve seen some owners try to add extra insulation or even those sound-deadening mats underneath, but honestly, it only helps so much. Asphalt is a lot quieter, but then you’re trading off longevity and maintenance.
As for the finish—yeah, salt air is brutal. Even with the so-called “marine grade” coatings, I’ve seen fading and chalking within five years if the place is really exposed. One place I checked out last fall had this powdery residue all over the south-facing side, and the owner was convinced it was just pollen until I scraped it and showed him. It gets worse if there’s not much overhang or if the wind just whips straight in from the ocean. The lighter colors seem to show it more, too.
One thing I’ve noticed: gutters and fasteners are usually the first to go. I’ve seen galvanized screws rust out in under two years near the water, even when the panels themselves look okay. Stainless steel hardware holds up better, but it’s pricier and not every installer uses it unless you ask.
I get why people go for aluminum—lighter, less hassle with rot or bugs—but it’s not set-and-forget. You end up trading one set of problems for another. If you’re managing multiple properties, might be worth budgeting for more frequent touch-ups or even a rinse-down every so often to slow the salt buildup. Not a perfect fix, but it helps a bit.
Funny thing is, I’ve seen some of the older tile roofs still looking decent after decades, just because they don’t react to the salt. But then you’re dealing with weight and cracked tiles... never a perfect answer near the ocean.
Is the noise from aluminum really that bad? I get it’s louder than asphalt, but I’ve actually found it kind of soothing during storms—maybe depends on how thick your insulation is or if you’ve got an attic space. For the salt air, has anyone tried those zinc strips or something similar to slow down corrosion? I’ve heard mixed things. I’m curious if spending more for stainless fasteners is worth it in the long run, or if it’s just another thing installers upsell. The tile roofs look great but with hurricanes and all, I’d be nervous about flying debris cracking them. Just seems like every option has its own headaches.
Noise from aluminum can be a mixed bag, honestly. Some folks love that “rain on a tin roof” vibe—kind of like white noise, right? But if you’ve got a low-pitch roof or not much insulation, it can get pretty loud during a heavy storm. I’ve seen people add extra insulation or even just a thick attic blanket to help with that. If you’re already finding it soothing, you might be one of the lucky ones who doesn’t mind it at all.
About the salt air—yeah, it’s brutal on metal. Zinc strips are more for moss and algae than corrosion, at least in my experience. For slowing down rust, the coating on the panels and the type of fasteners matter way more. Stainless fasteners cost more up front, but I’ve seen regular galvanized ones rust out in just a few years near the coast. Then you end up with leaks or ugly rust streaks. If you’re planning to stay in the house a while, the stainless is usually worth it. If you’re flipping or only there seasonally, maybe not as big a deal.
Tile roofs do look amazing, but hurricanes are no joke. I’ve replaced more than a few tiles after storms—sometimes whole sections if debris hits just right. They’re heavy too, so you need to make sure your structure can handle it. Metal’s lighter and tends to hold up better in high winds, but then you’re back to dealing with the salt and noise.
Every roof has its trade-offs. I’ve even seen folks go with coated steel panels instead of aluminum for a little more durability, but then you have to stay on top of scratches and dings or the rust creeps in. Maintenance is key no matter what you pick. Anyone else ever tried those ceramic coatings? I’ve heard they help with both corrosion and noise, but haven’t seen them much around here yet.
It’s kind of like picking your battles—do you want to fight rust, noise, or flying coconuts?
