I've inspected plenty of homes with both steel and aluminum roofs, and honestly, I've seen good and bad examples of each. Aluminum can be great near the coast, but I've also seen some cheaper aluminum sheets that dented way too easily—like one homeowner who had golf-ball-sized dents after a single hailstorm. Steel tends to hold up better against impacts, but rust can be a headache if you're near saltwater. Whatever you choose, just make sure you buy from a reputable supplier and don't go too thin on gauge...cheap usually ends up costing more later.
Good points on gauge thickness—I've seen similar issues firsthand. A few years back, I worked on a coastal project where the homeowner insisted on aluminum roofing due to salt exposure concerns. They sourced sheets from a lesser-known supplier to save some money, and within a year, the roof had noticeable dents from just moderate storm debris. On the flip side, another client went with steel roofing from a reputable local supplier who offered a solid corrosion-resistant coating. Five years later, that roof still looks practically new, even after several heavy storms.
From experience, I'd suggest checking out local suppliers who specialize in metal roofing rather than big-box stores. They usually offer better quality control and can provide detailed specs on coatings and gauge thickness. It might cost a bit more upfront, but you'll likely avoid headaches down the road.
Good advice overall, but I'd say don't completely rule out big-box stores. I got my metal sheets from one a couple years back, and they've held up surprisingly well through some nasty storms. The key was paying close attention to the gauge and coating specs rather than just grabbing whatever was cheapest. Local suppliers are great, sure, but if you're careful about what you're buying, you can still find decent quality at the bigger chains and save a bit of cash.
Fair point about big-box stores, but have you considered the consistency factor? Sure, you lucked out with your sheets holding up, but I've seen plenty of cases where the quality varied wildly—even within the same batch. Do you think it's worth the gamble just to save a few bucks? Not knocking your experience, just wondering if the peace of mind from a dedicated supplier might outweigh the savings in the long run...
Yeah, consistency is definitely something to think about. Have you noticed how the coatings from dedicated suppliers tend to hold up better over time? I've seen roofs from big-box stores fade unevenly after just a few years... might be worth factoring that into the decision too.
