Linseed oil does have its merits, especially for smaller wooden fixtures like shutters or window frames. I've used it myself after some rough winter storms—did the job nicely, provided you're meticulous with the prep work and patient enough to let each coat dry properly. But honestly, for larger-scale protection like roofing, I'd still lean toward metal sheets. Speaking of which, has anyone checked out local building supply auctions? I snagged some quality metal roofing sheets there last year at a fraction of retail cost...worth a look if you're budget-conscious.
I've had mixed luck with auctions myself. Last summer, I attended one hoping to find metal roofing sheets, but the quality was pretty inconsistent—some sheets were pristine, others had dents or rust spots that weren't obvious until you got up close. Definitely worth inspecting carefully before bidding. On the other hand, I've had good experiences buying directly from local metal fabricators. They're often willing to sell off surplus or slightly imperfect sheets at discounted rates, and you can usually inspect everything beforehand. Has anyone else tried sourcing directly from fabricators or manufacturers? Curious if that's a common practice elsewhere or just something local to my area...
"They're often willing to sell off surplus or slightly imperfect sheets at discounted rates, and you can usually inspect everything beforehand."
I've had similar experiences sourcing directly from metal fabricators. It's not just your area—it's quite common around here too. Fabricators often have leftover inventory from large custom orders, and they're usually happy to clear out space by selling these surplus sheets at reduced prices. The key is building a relationship with them; once they know you're serious and reliable, they'll sometimes even notify you directly when they've got something available.
Auctions can be hit or miss, as you mentioned. I've found it's especially tricky if you're looking for a consistent look or specific quality standards for roofing projects. With fabricators, though, you generally get better transparency about what you're buying, which makes planning simpler. Just make sure you're clear about your needs upfront, because "slightly imperfect" can mean different things to different suppliers...
Good points about fabricators. I've poked around a few places myself, and one thing I've noticed is that some fabricators seem more open to selling surplus than others. Maybe it's just the size of their operation or their storage space? Also, I've run into the "slightly imperfect" issue before—sometimes it's just a minor cosmetic blemish, but other times it's something structural like uneven edges or thickness variations.
Have you (or anyone else) found certain imperfections to be more common than others? Curious if there's a particular flaw that's usually considered acceptable for roofing projects and what's definitely a no-go...
I've actually found that uneven edges or slight thickness variations aren't always a deal-breaker, especially if you're doing a green roof setup. Once you layer on the waterproofing membrane and vegetation, minor structural imperfections become pretty irrelevant. Cosmetic blemishes are even less of an issue—plants don't care about aesthetics! But I'd steer clear of anything with significant corrosion or deep scratches, since those can compromise durability down the line...
