"Also, curious if anyone's tried aluminum roofing sheets...heard they're decent in coastal areas too, but not sure how they compare cost-wise?"
I've used aluminum sheets before on a friend's beach cabin roof, and honestly, they were pretty impressive. Lightweight, easy to handle, and zero rust issues even after several years of salty air. Cost-wise though, aluminum usually runs higher than Galvalume or regular steel—maybe 20-30% more depending on your local market. But if corrosion resistance is your priority (especially near the coast), it could be worth the extra cash. Just my two cents...
"Cost-wise though, aluminum usually runs higher than Galvalume or regular steel—maybe 20-30% more depending on your local market."
Yeah, that's pretty spot-on from what I've seen too. Aluminum definitely has its perks, especially near saltwater. I've inspected a few coastal homes with aluminum roofs, and even after years of exposure, they held up impressively well—no rust or corrosion issues at all. But honestly, if budget's tight, Galvalume can still be a solid choice. I've seen Galvalume roofs near the coast that lasted a good 15-20 years with minimal maintenance. Just make sure you get quality coatings and proper installation.
Speaking of installation...has anyone here had experience DIY-ing metal roofing? Curious how manageable it was for you guys, especially with aluminum sheets being lighter and all.
I've done a couple DIY metal roof installs—one aluminum, one Galvalume. Honestly, aluminum was easier to handle solo because it's lighter and more forgiving if you need to reposition sheets. But cutting it cleanly without bending edges took some practice. Galvalume felt sturdier but definitely heavier, so I needed an extra pair of hands. Curious if anyone else found aluminum trickier to cut neatly, or was that just me being picky?
I've done aluminum roofing once, and yeah, cutting it neatly was definitely a bit tricky at first. I found that using aviation snips helped a lot—especially the offset ones. Regular straight snips tended to bend the edges more easily, but offset snips gave me cleaner cuts without as much distortion. Also, clamping the sheet down firmly close to the cut line made a noticeable difference.
Galvalume is definitely heavier, but I agree it feels sturdier overall. I did one small shed roof solo with Galvalume sheets and regretted it halfway through—my back wasn't happy with me for days afterward, haha. Aluminum is way friendlier if you're working alone.
As for buying sheets, I've had good luck checking local metal roofing suppliers rather than big-box stores. Usually better prices and more selection on colors and gauges. Plus, they're often willing to cut sheets to length for you, which saves some hassle and waste.
Interesting take on the snips, but honestly, I had better luck with a nibbler tool when cutting aluminum sheets. Snips always felt like they left me wrestling with distorted edges no matter what type I used. And yeah, Galvalume is a beast—tried it once solo and nearly ended up as a viral fail video, haha. Local suppliers are usually solid, but sometimes I've found surprising deals from smaller hardware stores...worth keeping an eye out.
