Metal Roofing In Coastal Areas: Best Materials To Use Near The Ocean

There are a lot of benefits of living near the ocean, from beautiful views to breathing in the fresh ocean air. Unfortunately, that same air can also be disastrous when it comes in contact with certain types of metal. Salt air causes corrosion, or rusting, which can cause a metal roof to fail prematurely and need to be replaced.

Metal corrosion is most pronounced on coastal homes within 3,000 feet of the ocean. However, to err on the side of caution, we recommend any homes within a mile of the coast using only coastal appropriate metals to avoid the possibility of rusting (for frame of reference, one mile is 5,280 feet).

At Western States Metal Roofing, for years we’ve manufactured metal roofing and siding panels for contractors and homeowners with waterfront properties and understand why this is a big concern.

The potential for metal roofing problems near the ocean problems go far beyond corrosion. Any type of roofing material used in coastal regions should be resistant to:

Flood damage

Wind damage

Wind-driven rain

Moisture

Rotting and decay

Flood/Water Damage

Wind Damage

For this reason, it’s crucial to use materials that have the durability to handle this harsh climate.

In this article, we discuss the best roofing material for coastal homes. We will dive into the 4 types of metal that are recommended for use on your coastal home’s roofing or siding. By the end of this article, you'll understand your metal roofing options and be able to protect your coastal home from corrosion.

 

What Are The Problems For Metal Roofing Near The Ocean?

Corrosion

Exposed Edges

Color Fade And Chalking

Corrosion

The biggest issue metal faces on the coast is the threat of corrosion. The salty air causes rapid corrosion when it comes in contact with the wrong type of metal. If a roof or siding starts to rust, it will not function properly and has to be replaced.

Exposed Edges

If the paint is scratched or the material is cut and has an exposed edge it can corrode. You never want to have exposed edges and should repair them immediately.

Color Fade And Chalking

If using a painted panel, the chance of color fade will always be an issue. Coastal regions tend to get more sun exposure as well as water reflection, both of which increase the chance of color fade and chalking.

Using a PVDF paint system helps to keep your roofing or siding looking bright and vibrant for a longer period of time.

 

What’s The Best Type Of Metal Roofing In Coastal Areas?

Aluminum (raw or with PVDF paint system)

Copper

Stainless Steel

Zinc

Coastal Metal Roofing Materials: Aluminum

Aluminum is compatible with coastal climates because it doesn’t rust. Rust is actually iron oxide and most aluminum already has very minimal amounts of iron. As a result, the sea salt spray from the water will have a lesser effect on the aluminum substrate.

If you are familiar with aluminum, you may know it's a very lightweight material. In fact, it’s the most lightweight roofing material on the market. So does that mean it wouldn’t be good on coasts that regularly deal with high winds? No, just because aluminum is light does not mean it’s weak.

Aluminum is actually a very durable material. The strength to weight ratio is higher for aluminum than the other types of metals used for roofing. Basically, it’s just as strong or stronger than other materials that are heavier.

Choosing The Right Paint For Aluminum Roofing In A Marine Environment

If you’re looking for a roof with some color, panels painted with the PVDF paint system should be used near the coast. This premium type of coating consists of one of the strongest bonds known, called the carbon-fluorine bond. This chemical structure gives it the ability to have extra resistance to the saltwater and the additional coastal UV exposure.

For coastal metal roofing applications, PVDF is most commonly used on aluminum panels for maximum corrosion resistance. If you have looked at painted metal panels before, you were most likely looking at panels made from steel. Keep in mind that there is less of a demand for aluminum panels compared to steel panels.

This means that there is also less of a demand for painted aluminum panels. This affects the variety of colors that you’ll have to choose from. As long as you are looking for a standard color, like green, tan or gray, and not a specific shade of a color, it will be available in aluminum.

How Much Do Aluminum Roofing Panels Cost?

Corrugated Aluminum Panels (materials only) - $2 to $4 Per Sq. Ft.

Standing Seam Aluminum Panels (materials only) - $4 to $6 Per Sq. Ft.

Coastal Metal Roofing Materials: Copper

If you’re wondering what happens to copper near the water, look no further than The Statue of Liberty. Once a shiny copper penny color, it has since turned to the famous green patina color that we all recognize today.

Saltwater expedites the patina process on copper, making it occur much faster than if the same copper were inland. Since the statue has been around for centuries, it attests to the strength that copper possesses from its protective layer.

While copper is an excellent corrosion-resistant material that is also striking to look at, it is certainly not for every budget. In fact, copper is the most expensive metal roofing material. However, it is also the longest lasting material. Referring back to The Statue Of Liberty example, copper has been known to last hundreds of years. If you are able to pay the high upfront cost, your investment will pay off in the long run.

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