I get where you're coming from, but honestly, reclaimed metal roofing isn't always the maintenance nightmare it's made out to be. I've had reclaimed sheets on my workshop roof for about five years now, and yeah, there were a couple of rust spots at first—but nothing a good wire brush and rust inhibitor couldn't handle. After that initial treatment and a proper coat of sealant, it's held up surprisingly well, even through some pretty rough winters.
That said, I totally agree about warping—it's a real pain if you're not careful when picking your sheets. I learned the hard way to inspect each sheet closely before buying. Some suppliers are better than others at sorting out the badly warped ones, so it's worth shopping around and maybe even paying a bit extra to cherry-pick the best pieces.
If you’re leaning toward reclaimed for the look and sustainability, go for it—just be ready to put in a little elbow grease upfront. Or like mentioned above, there are some pretty convincing new sheets that mimic the reclaimed look without the hassle. Either way, good luck with your project...roofing is always an adventure, lol.
"Some suppliers are better than others at sorting out the badly warped ones, so it's worth shopping around and maybe even paying a bit extra to cherry-pick the best pieces."
Couldn't agree more with this point. I've seen plenty of reclaimed metal roofs that turned out great, but it really comes down to how picky you are when selecting your sheets. If you're going reclaimed, here's a quick rundown of what I'd recommend:
1. **Inspect carefully**: Like mentioned above, warping is your biggest enemy. Lay each sheet flat on the ground and eyeball it from different angles. Even slight warping can cause headaches later on.
2. **Rust check**: Surface rust isn't a deal-breaker, but deep pitting or rust-through spots are red flags. A wire brush and rust inhibitor can handle minor issues, but if the metal is too far gone, you'll be chasing leaks forever.
3. **Gauge thickness**: Thicker sheets (lower gauge numbers) are sturdier and less prone to warping or denting. Aim for something around 24-26 gauge if possible—it's a good balance between durability and ease of handling.
4. **Sealant is your friend**: Once you've cleaned up any rust and prepped your sheets, don't skimp on a quality metal roof sealant. It'll save you from future headaches, trust me.
If reclaimed sounds like too much hassle, there are some pretty impressive new metal roofing products out there now that mimic the reclaimed look without the extra work. They're pricier upfront, but you save yourself the elbow grease and potential maintenance down the road.
As for suppliers, local salvage yards or architectural salvage places are usually your best bet for reclaimed sheets—just be prepared to spend some time sorting through piles. For new sheets, check with local roofing supply companies or even big-box stores; sometimes they have surprisingly decent options.
Either way, roofing projects always seem to have their own little surprises...but hey, that's half the fun, right? Good luck!
Good tips overall, but honestly, reclaimed sheets can be a real gamble. I went that route a few years back—thought I'd save some cash and get that rustic look. Ended up spending way more time than expected sorting through piles at salvage yards. Even after careful inspection, a couple sheets warped badly after installation. If I had to do it again, I'd probably bite the bullet and buy new sheets with the reclaimed look already baked in...lesson learned the hard way.
I hear you on reclaimed sheets being hit or miss...had a similar experience after a storm damaged my barn roof. Thought I'd scored a deal, but ended up with leaks and headaches. New sheets with the rustic finish saved me a ton of hassle in the end.
Reclaimed metal sheets can definitely be a gamble. A client of mine went that route after hail damage, thinking he'd save some cash. On inspection later, I found corrosion hidden under the paint and uneven overlaps causing moisture buildup—ended up costing him more in repairs than new sheets would've initially. Sometimes the upfront savings just aren't worth the uncertainty...a solid warranty and predictable performance usually outweigh the initial bargain, at least in my experience.
