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TOPIC: Product Selection

A606-4 Corten roofing longevity?

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I've read what I could find on A606-4 Corten roofing. Most of it has been on manufactures websites.

I also spoke with a roofing company who has installed dozens of 22ga A606-4 Corten roofs.

The owner of the roofing company indicated that some of these roofs had rusted all the way through in as little as 10 years. I don't know if they were his roofs or someone elses....and I don't know what environments they were in or any other details. He also thought A606-4 Corten steel did not work as advertised....at least in the earlier days. He said that the steel may be better now. He said I may get up to 30 years out of one on my house...but it could be less or more.

I'm in the southern Idaho desert plain. On average, we get 10" rain per year, and 18" of snow....though I believe those numbers are based on decades of records. The climate has been changing and we're getting less and less moisture.

My roof is 2:12 pitch...almost all shed. Very simple with few roof penetrations.

My wife and I both prefer the esthetics of A606-4 Corten roofing over anything we have seen. Neither of us care for the steel that is painted to look like a natural rust of patina.

With our style of house, we are not concerned with rust from the roof staining other parts of the house. In fact, it would complement the style and esthetic of the place.

As far as longevity, what are peoples thoughts, observations, and experiences with A606-4 Corten roofing?
Arby Dean

3/15/2023

There are some key points to keep in mind with this type of material:

  • Dryer climates will improve the life of Corten, as the oxidation will be less likely; however, it is designed to rust, so it is going to do so

  • Although there is a difference between Corten and cold rolled steel, once they are installed, it is difficult to know which is on the roof. Reviewing a roof that may have rusted through could have been cold rolled steel

  • Corten is designed to last longer, but it is still rusting, which unless coated to stop, will continue to oxidize

  • In general, Corten material does not carry a warranty of performance for such use

  • Eventually, due to the nature of the material, it will generally not have as long of service life as a coated steel product
Robin Anderson

3/16/2023

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