Does Saltwater Air Harm Metal Roofing

If you live near the ocean, property costs might not be the only large expenses. The cost of maintaining a home under the constant influence of salt water in the air can get pricey. But does having a metal roof help?

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The Science
What's the Deal With Salt?

​Salt water has corrosive effects on materials like concrete, wood, and metal - pretty much what a home is made of. With a focus on metal roofing, consistent exposure to salty air can absolutely cause corrosion and rust over time if the metal is not properly treated and maintained. Without a highly corrosion-resistant material, the salt air will eat straight through the metal. According to Sciencing.com:

"The combination of moisture, oxygen and salt, especially sodium chloride, damages metal worse than rust does. This combination corrodes, or eats away at, the metal, weakening it and causing it to fall apart. Saltwater corrodes metal five times faster than fresh water does and the salty, humid ocean air causes metal to corrode 10 times faster than air with normal humidity. Bacteria in ocean water also consumes iron and their excretions turn to rust."

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​Recommendation #1
Aluminum Roofing

There are types of metal roofing built to combat the corrosive effects of living near the ocean. The most popular rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant roofing material is aluminum. The great thing about aluminum is that it cannot rust, making it perfectly compatible for homes within a mile from coastal areas. And even though aluminum is lightweight, it is extremely durable and resistant to high coastal winds and can last up to 70 years.

​​For maximum resistance to the effects of saltwater air, we also recommend choosing a corrosion-resistant coating. PVDF coatings, for example, are resin-based and produced specifically to protect metal roofing from weathering, chalking, fading, and UV ray damage.

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​Recommendation #2
Zinc Roofing

Although aluminum is our first recommendation for its corrosion-resistance, zinc roofing is also a great option. Zinc also has a long lifespan in coastal areas, anywhere from 60 to 80 years. Zinc is a natural, light-colored metal and will show the effects of salt much less than other darker materials. It also requires little maintenance, only requiring a nice fresh-water cleaning twice a year.

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​Questions?
Give Us a Call

As Jacksonville, FL metal roofing contractors, we have frequent conversations with coastal homeowners about this very subject. They love metal for its aesthetics but fear the possibility of saltwater air damage. If you have similar questions or concerns, feel free to give us a call. We'll have the rights answers for you.