I tried the whole “hose it off” thing too, but honestly, dragging a ladder out and getting soaked wasn’t my idea of a good Saturday. Plus, I still ended up with some weird rust streaks where water sat too long. I went with a coating last year—cost a bit more upfront, but I’m not up for monthly roof gymnastics. As for “marine grade,” I’m starting to think it’s just a fancy sticker. My buddy’s roof with the upgrade looks about as crusty as mine after two years by the beach.
As for “marine grade,” I’m starting to think it’s just a fancy sticker. My buddy’s roof with the upgrade looks about as crusty as mine after two years by the beach.
Right? I paid extra for “marine grade” flashing and it still pitted like crazy. I feel you on the ladder thing—my weekends are for coffee, not circus acts. The coating route stung at first but honestly, less stress (and fewer tetanus shots) in the long run.
I’ve swapped out “marine grade” flashing on a few coastal jobs, and honestly, the difference is minimal unless you’re pairing it with a legit protective coating. Salt air just finds a way in. Stainless holds up better, but it’s pricey and not always practical for every part of the roof. Sometimes I wonder if the label’s just marketing hype...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen a pretty big difference when marine grade is used right—especially if you’re careful about overlaps and sealants. The trick is making sure every cut edge gets sealed up, otherwise salt sneaks in and starts the rust party. Stainless is great, but like you said, not always realistic for a whole roof. Sometimes it’s about layering up those defenses... even if it feels like overkill at first.
I get the logic behind sealing every edge, but in my experience, no matter how careful you are, something always gets missed over the years. I went with aluminum panels last time—less rust risk than steel, and way less hassle than chasing every little seam with sealant. Maybe not as tough as stainless, but it’s held up better than I expected, even with the salt spray. Anyone else try aluminum?
