Whether you’re on the shores of the East or West coast, you may be wondering if metal roofing or siding is suitable in your region. After all, the coast presents a variety of challenges — high speed winds, salty air, extreme weather conditions, and more. We’re diving into how metal panels will work in coastal regions.
Can Metal Panels Be Used on the Coast?
Yes! Contrary to popular belief, metal panels are a great choice for coastal communities. While most metal roofing and siding systems will hold up well in the challenging environments these regions present, there are certain options that will provide better protection, durability, and savings than others.
Coastal Factors to Consider
There are a number of factors that coastal community residents must consider, including the following:
- Distance From Shoreline — The biggest factor to consider when purchasing metal panels for a home or building is understanding your distance from the shoreline. Even if you are a good couple miles inland, there will likely still be salt in the air. The closer you are to the shore, the greater the amount. Most metal roofing and siding systems have advanced technologies and paint systems, which allow them to perform incredibly. However, if you live within a mile or two of the shoreline, you may want to consider an aluminum or zinc substrate rather than a galvanized substrate to minimize aging.
- Maintenance Requirements — Unless you live in an area that experiences very frequent rainfall and moisture that serves as natural, freshwater rinsing (think Washington coast), you may want to schedule bi-annual or even quarterly washes to keep the salt deposits off your panels. The frequency of your climate’s rainfall will affect how often you should be rinsing your panels. It’s important to remember that we never recommend power washing, but rather use a garden hose and gentle cleaning solution if needed.
- Wind Ratings — Living on or near the coast means you probably experience some serious storms every so often. These storms can bring very high speed winds, so you may want to consider a panel system with wind ratings. Bridger Steel has a variety of panels with UL 580 wind ratings so you can be confident that your roofing or siding will be able to withstand these storms.
Coastal Panels: What to Consider
Concealed Fastener Systems Are Preferred
When choosing between panels with either concealed or exposed fasteners, concealed are a better choice for coastal regions. This is because concealed fastener systems allow for good water drainage and also reduce exposed penetrations from screws/hardware. Good drainage is crucial because standing water — especially standing saltwater — is detrimental for metal panels. With less exposed edges and fasteners, the amount of corrosion is reduced.
Proper Accessories Are Crucial
A big concern for coastal regions is selecting proper accessories in the right material type. When dissimilar metals are paired together, galvanic corrosion can occur. For example, stainless steel screws and components should never be in direct contact with aluminum, Galvalume, or Galvanized metal.
To avoid this issue, you should always consult with your Product Specialist before purchasing panels and accessories. They will help you make sure you’re making the right material and accessory choices to avoid this issue.
Carefully Chosen Finishes
When choosing a color or finish for your coastal home or building, light and neutral colors tend to be among the most popular choices. When salt dries, it produces a white film, which can show up more boldly on darker colors and finishes. Opting for a lighter color helps show less salt. Browse through all of Bridger Steel’s colors and finishes to see which option is best for you and your style.
For coastal homes, Premium Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) paint is also a great choice. It’s a commercial-grade paint system that’s considered to be best-in-class because of its ultimate weather and UV ray resistance — two major elements near the sea. PVDF paints are designed to easily handle exposure to harsh conditions, including rust-causing moisture!
Best Metal Types for the Coast
If you live within a mile or two of the shoreline, you may want to consider aluminum as your choice of metal for roofing or siding. Bridger Steel offers a variety of painted finishes in aluminum! While aluminum is a great choice for coastal areas because it’s extremely resistant to salt corrosion, it isn’t the most budget-friendly choice. Often, because of its cost, aluminum is usually purchased in thinner gauges (thicknesses) than steel. However, when it comes to saltwater corrosion resistance, it is the best choice.
Followed closely behind aluminum is Galvalume steel. Galvalume is a great option to protect your home or building from both saltwater and extreme weather conditions. Galvalume is composed of 55% aluminum, 43.4% zinc, and 1.6% silicone. This plus the added durability of steel and its longevity make it a great choice for coastal regions.
If you’re interested in purchasing metal roofing or siding for your coastal home or building, reach out to a team member at Bridger Steel today. Our team can help you choose the best metal, panel profile, and color/finish for your specific needs. Get a Quote or contact us today!
