I definitely agree on the stainless steel screws with neoprene washers. Learned that lesson the hard way when I helped my brother redo his roof a few years back. He went cheap on galvanized fasteners to save a buck, and within two years, we were climbing back up there replacing rusty screws and dealing with leaks. Not fun.
When I did my own metal roof last summer, I spent extra on quality stainless hardware, and so far it's been rock solid through some pretty nasty storms. Hidden clips do sound appealing, especially for aesthetics and weatherproofing...but honestly, if you're careful about installation and pick good-quality fasteners, exposed screws can hold up just fine.
To your question about materials—I looked into aluminum fasteners briefly but wasn't convinced they'd hold up as well in my climate (lots of humidity and occasional salty air). Stainless steel seemed like the safest bet overall. Did you consider aluminum at all? Curious if anyone's had good luck with those long-term.
"Did you consider aluminum at all? Curious if anyone's had good luck with those long-term."
I briefly thought about aluminum fasteners too, but honestly, I've seen aluminum corrode pretty quickly near the coast. Stainless steel seems like the safer bet...even if my wallet disagrees.
"I briefly thought about aluminum fasteners too, but honestly, I've seen aluminum corrode pretty quickly near the coast."
Yeah, that's a valid point about coastal corrosion. Aluminum has its perks—lightweight, easy to handle—but salt spray can really do a number on it over time. I've seen some aluminum roofing hold up surprisingly well inland, but near the ocean? Stainless steel definitely seems more reliable long-term. Pricey, yes...but probably worth the peace of mind if you're looking at decades of durability.
- Good points on aluminum corrosion, but stainless steel isn't always the perfect fix either.
- I've inspected coastal homes where even stainless fasteners showed signs of pitting and rust spots after just a few years—especially lower-grade stainless alloys.
- Another alternative worth considering is galvanized steel with a heavy-duty coating. I've seen galvanized roofing sheets hold up surprisingly well near saltwater, provided the coating quality is decent.
- Also, proper installation makes a huge difference. If fasteners are overtightened or scratched during installation, corrosion sets in way faster, regardless of material.
- Bottom line: stainless is usually reliable, but don't overlook galvanized options if budget's tight. Just make sure you're getting quality-coated sheets and careful installation.
Totally agree about the galvanized sheets holding up better than most people expect. I've seen some coastal roofs using high-quality galvanized steel that have lasted decades without major rust issues, as long as they're properly installed and maintained. But honestly, I'd still be cautious—coating quality varies A LOT between manufacturers...you really gotta check specs carefully. And don't underestimate the impact of salt spray; even small scratches or chips can become problem spots over time. Stainless is good, galvanized can definitely work, but no material is bulletproof without careful installation and regular checks.
