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.
I actually looked into ceramic coatings last year when we were redoing the back porch roof. The price tag was a bit higher than I expected, and the local roofer said they’re still pretty new in our area, so not a ton of real-world feedback yet. He did mention they might help with heat too, which would be a nice bonus in the summer, but I ended up sticking with a standard coated aluminum panel.
Noise-wise, I agree—extra insulation makes a bigger difference than any coating I’ve seen. We put in some dense batts under the rafters and it really cut down the “drum” effect during storms.
As for fasteners, stainless has been worth it for us. Our old roof had regular galvanized and after about 6 years near the beach, they were rusted out and leaving streaks everywhere. Swapping them out was a pain, but no issues since.
Flying coconuts though... haven’t found a fix for that one yet.
That’s a smart call on the stainless fasteners—galvanized just doesn’t cut it long-term near salt air, no matter what the sales pitch says. I’ve seen too many folks regret skipping that upgrade. Ceramic coatings are interesting, but I’m with you: insulation does way more for noise. The heat reflection from ceramics is promising, though, especially if you’re dealing with brutal summer sun. Price is still a hurdle, but I think we’ll see more real-world results as people try them out. And yeah... nothing’s coconut-proof yet, unless you want to build a bunker.
Ceramic coatings are interesting, but I’m with you: insulation does way more for noise. The heat reflection from ceramics is promising, though, especially if you’re dealing with brutal summer sun.
I’ve noticed the same thing—insulation’s the real game-changer for noise, especially with metal roofs. Ceramic coatings are getting a lot of hype for thermal performance, but I haven’t seen enough long-term data yet to justify the cost for most clients. Curious if anyone’s actually tracked surface temps before and after applying ceramic? I’ve only seen manufacturer numbers so far, and those always seem a bit optimistic.
Curious if anyone’s actually tracked surface temps before and after applying ceramic? I’ve only seen manufacturer numbers so far, and those always seem a bit optimistic.
I get where you’re coming from—manufacturer data always looks a little too perfect. But I’ve actually seen a couple of independent case studies (not huge sample sizes, but still) where ceramic coatings dropped the roof surface temp by 15-20°F in direct sun. That said, it didn’t make as much difference inside as I expected, especially once the attic insulation was factored in.
One thing I’d push back on: insulation is great for noise and heat, but it doesn’t do much for the actual lifespan of the metal itself, especially near the ocean. Salt air is brutal. I’ve seen ceramic coatings help slow down corrosion on some older roofs—maybe not a miracle fix, but better than nothing if you’re trying to squeeze out a few more years before replacement.
Honestly, if you’re coastal, I’d be looking at coatings more for protection than just thermal performance. The noise reduction is just a bonus at that point.
I get what you’re saying about ceramic coatings helping with corrosion, but I’ve actually seen mixed results on that front, especially long-term. On a couple of jobs near the bay, we went back to check roofs after 3-4 years, and spots where the coating was nicked or not applied perfectly still started to rust out. Maybe it slows things down, but it’s not a set-and-forget kind of deal—maintenance and touch-ups matter way more than some folks expect.
Also, I wouldn’t totally write off insulation for metal lifespan. It doesn’t stop salt air, sure, but in my experience, good insulation (especially spray foam) can help cut down on condensation under the panels. That moisture’s a big part of why you see rust from the inside out on some coastal roofs.
Not saying coatings aren’t useful—they’re just not magic shields. If you’re really worried about salt, I’d look at marine-grade metals or even aluminum if budget allows... coatings and insulation are more like backup singers than the main act.
