- Good points on galvanized near salt air—seen similar issues myself.
- Had a neighbor who went galvanized to save cash, looked great at first...but after about 4 years, rust started creeping in around the edges and screws. Not terrible, but definitely noticeable.
- Personally, I'm a fan of coated steel or aluminum too. Yeah, upfront cost stings a bit, but less headaches down the road.
- Also worth mentioning: some suppliers offer decent warranties on coated products. Might ease the pain of paying extra initially.
- If budget's tight though, galvanized can still work—just gotta be diligent with maintenance and inspections. Regular rinsing helps a lot near salt air.
- Bottom line: you usually get what you pay for with roofing materials. Learned that lesson the hard way myself...
- Good insights here, thanks. I'm leaning toward coated steel myself, but budget's tight so still weighing options.
- Curious if anyone's tried DIY coating or sealants on galvanized sheets to extend lifespan near salt air...worth the hassle or just throwing money away?
- Also, any recommendations on suppliers with solid warranty coverage? Seems like that could make a big difference long-term.
"Curious if anyone's tried DIY coating or sealants on galvanized sheets to extend lifespan near salt air...worth the hassle or just throwing money away?"
I actually went down this exact rabbit hole last summer when we bought our first place near the coast. Budget was tight (still is, lol), and I thought I'd save some cash by going DIY with galvanized sheets and a coating. Here's how it went down:
First off, prepping galvanized metal properly is key—otherwise, nothing sticks long-term. I spent a weekend scrubbing sheets with vinegar solution to remove oils and oxidation, then rinsed and dried thoroughly. Next step was applying a primer specifically made for galvanized surfaces. After that dried, I used a marine-grade epoxy coating recommended by a local hardware guy who swore it'd hold up against salt spray.
Honestly, it looked great at first, and I felt pretty proud of myself. But after about 8 months, I started noticing tiny rust spots popping up around edges and screw holes. Not terrible yet, but definitely not ideal. Maybe my prep wasn't perfect, or maybe the salt air here is just brutal...but it wasn't exactly the miracle solution I'd hoped for.
In hindsight, I'd say DIY coating can buy you some extra time if you're meticulous about prep and use quality products—but don't expect miracles. If you're planning to stay in your home long-term, investing in factory-coated steel with a solid warranty might be smarter.
Speaking of warranties, we ended up replacing our DIY sheets recently (lesson learned) and went with a local supplier who offered a 25-year coastal warranty. It cost more upfront, but peace of mind is priceless when you're already juggling homeownership surprises every other week.
Anyway, that's just my two cents from someone who's been there. Good luck with your project—hope you find something that works out better than my first attempt did!
Interesting experience, but I'd argue DIY coatings aren't always a lost cause. My neighbor did something similar about three years ago—used a high-quality polyurethane coating after careful prep—and his roof still looks pretty solid. Maybe the marine epoxy wasn't the best choice for galvanized metal? Salt air is tough, sure, but with the right product and prep, DIY can sometimes hold up better than you'd think. Just my observation though...your mileage may vary.
That's a fair point about marine epoxy maybe not being ideal for galvanized metal—could be a compatibility issue there. I've seen some DIY jobs hold up surprisingly well too, especially when prep is done meticulously. Makes me wonder though, does anyone have experience with eco-friendly coatings or sealants for metal roofs? Curious if those hold up as well in coastal conditions, or if durability takes a hit when going green...
