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TOPIC: Wind concerns

metal roofs by the ocean

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Am building a house overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to the northeast on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. The builder's concerns about a metal roof are wind as well as salt spray from an ocean storm. He recommends asphalt instead. I'd prefer metal, and have been planning to use Ideal Roofing's 29 Gauge sheets. Any advice on the best way to do this?
Guest User

5/28/2005
Today's quality metal roofs go to great lengths to achieve corrosion resistance. Here are a few things to look for. Metal. Some metals such as aluminum and copper will not rust. Steel roofs usually have protective coatings of zinc and aluminum to provide corrosion resistance. You should investigate the quality of the steel including the thickness of the zinc / aluminum coating. Additional coatings such as paint and stone coat are used. Again, look into the quality of this coating as well. For steel, you want to make sure the panels are cut with a shearing action not a sawing action. You do not want to leave a ragged raw edge. Metal thickness is also important when it comes to steel and corrosion resistance. Talk to the manufacturer, go look at past jobs, talk to past customers, etc.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

5/28/2005
As a general rule would you recommend copper over Zinc in a curved roof on an exposed clifftop location on the south west coast of ireland
Guest User

4/27/2007
Sure. Why not?
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

4/27/2007
Todd answered the salt spray issue well. As for the wind issue, I would add that you should have the roof designed by a professional engineer.
Ken Buchinger
NCI Building Systems, Inc.

5/3/2007