Agree on ventilation being critical—seen enough moisture issues from poor airflow setups to know it's not just about heat. Also, check if local suppliers offer warranty coverage; big-box stores sometimes skimp there. Salvage yards can be hit-or-miss quality-wise...inspect carefully before committing.
"Salvage yards can be hit-or-miss quality-wise...inspect carefully before committing."
Yeah, totally agree with this. I've found some great deals at salvage yards, but you really gotta know what you're looking at—scratches and minor dents might be fine, but hidden corrosion or warped edges can cause headaches down the road. Also, don't overlook smaller local suppliers or specialty roofing shops. Sometimes they have surplus stock or slightly imperfect sheets at discounted prices, and their advice on installation and ventilation is usually spot-on.
Good points about salvage yards, but honestly, I've had mixed luck with specialty roofing shops too. Sometimes their "slightly imperfect" sheets are more than just cosmetic—had one batch that was subtly warped and didn't notice until halfway through installation. Lesson learned the hard way, haha. Has anyone tried online suppliers? I'm curious if shipping costs kill the savings or if it's actually worth exploring...
I tried an online supplier last year after getting burned by local shops a couple times. Ordered enough sheets to redo a small storage building—figured it'd be a good test run. Price was decent, but shipping was definitely steep. Still, the sheets arrived straight and clean, no hidden "imperfections" or surprises halfway through the job. Honestly, I'd probably do it again for larger orders where I can spread out that shipping cost a bit more. Smaller projects though...probably not worth it.
I've had mixed luck with online metal sheet suppliers too. Shipping can definitely sting, especially on smaller orders. Have you checked if there's a regional distributor nearby? Sometimes they offer delivery at a flat rate or even free if your order hits a certain amount. Also, don't overlook salvage yards or building surplus places—I've snagged some great deals there, especially for smaller projects where color matching isn't critical. Worth a shot anyway...
