Well that's a new one since most of the million dollar plus homes on the water in our neck of SW FL have metal roofs. Now you have me worried.

Check with your builder CP. I used my Google Fu, kind of like Kung Fu lol. Does seem to be problematic . There are a couple of different coatings but once rust develops, not going to stop it.

You might want to read these:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=metal+roof+immune+to+salt+air&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=metal+roof+immune+to+salt+air&sc=0-29&sk=&cvid=F60B8141759A4745AA442FC7BEA6A548

Same roof we were planning CP. Love the look but leaning the other way now.

http://www.metalroofing.systems/top-70-metal-roofing-facts-faqs-costs-myths-pros-and-cons/

Galvalume steel — zinc and aluminum coated steel (A more expensive and longer lasting coating compared to G-90 steel.)

Aluminum is also one of the best metals to use for roofs located in coastal areas (think those beach homes), where there is a heavy presence of salt spray in the environment.

Galvanized and Galvalume steel roofing systems are pre-coated by the manufacturer and do not require any further coating.

What did you wind up using Keywest?

Good info BUT, I want a roof where the materials ARE covered by a warranty with zero exceptions. Going to do more digging.

From what I've been reading, most of the roof warranties are worth the paper they're printed on and no more. I would say 99% of the metal roofs in our area look brand new no matter how old they are and the majority are within a mile of the Gulf

I'm still of the opinion a written warranty is better than a known NO warranty at least as a matter of law, I'd have something to fall back on. Kind of like buying a brand new Lexus and you're told "NO warranty Ms. Buyer. But hey, we've had hundreds of customers buy this fancy model and no issues at all and they're all shiny new like the day the left the lot, you shouldn't have any issues". Fast forward a year and 15,000 miles later your transmission calls it quits. Back to the dealership you go. You're reminded that there was no warranty. "Sorry ma'am, this is a first and very unusual. The service department can install a new transmission for you, it'll be about $7500".

It's entirely possible that I'm all wrong here but I would think that if you polled 100 individuals who are building a new home and asked "IF you're new roof was not warrantied, would you still proceed or rethink the process?" I'm not a betting man but I am of the thought that most would rethink things.

If "House A" has a galvalume roof and they're 3 miles from salt water and "House B" is 3 hundred ft from saltwater and the warranties are" House A 25 years, House B, NO WARRANTY. Tells me all I need to know about their confidence in the materials holding up in the long run when exposed to the elements. Manufacturers basically have ZERO confidence in the product application in a coastal environment. Good enough for me and tells me all I need to know.

Aluminum is an option although more costly than steel by about 25% and will fair better than steel. I actually just got off the phone with my builder friend from who is from Panama City and builds houses on the water. He is not recommending a galvalume roof based on failures he has seen in a fairly short time span (less than 5 years). He told me once the roofing material is compromised it will only get worse. He would consider aluminum, copper. He did tell me that you want to look for an aluminum roofing material with a Kynar finish. He told me galvalume steel is fine if you are over 4 to 5 miles from any salt water. Otherwise, you're new roof will be subject to severe fading, corrosion and chalking and it's all downhill from there.

I don't know a thing about roofs but, this is coming from someone who has been building new houses for 30 plus years. He's always steered me in the right direction and a good friend. Just glad I followed up with a second call.

pensacolapi,

I am curious, what would a roof warranty cover in your opinion? I see roof warranties all the time and they appear to be paper warranties that are never enforced. Hail damage would not be covered, delamination would not be covered, color changes would not be covered, holes in the roof would not be covered, what would the warranty address?

More importantly what kind of roof would you get where you are? What do you think will hold up better?