Metal Roofing in Coastal Areas: Installation, Materials, and Wind Resistance

Living near the coast has its perks, and some of the harshest conditions a roof can face. Salt-laden air, high humidity, intense sun, and hurricane-force winds all put added stress on roofing systems year after year.

That's why metal roofing is often considered one of the best long-term options for coastal homes. When the right materials, coatings, and installation practices are used, a metal roof can deliver exceptional durability, wind resistance, and long-term performance near the water.

A roof's performance near the coast depends on more than just the metal itself. Wind, corrosion, home design, and installation details all play a role. This blog outlines what homeowners should know when evaluating metal roofing for coastal and hurricane-prone areas.

Is Metal Roofing Hurricane-Proof?

No roofing system is truly hurricane-proof—and it's important to be honest about that. However, properly designed and installed metal roofing systems consistently perform better than many traditional roofing materials during major wind events.

After Hurricane Irma, officials in Monroe County noted that metal roofs generally fared far better than asphalt shingle roofs, which aligns with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) observations referenced in McElroy's discussion of metal roofs and hurricanes.

FEMA has also documented that metal roofing is less likely to puncture, tear, or crack when exposed to extreme wind and debris compared to traditional roofing materials.

Many quality metal roofing systems are engineered and tested to resist wind speeds in the 130–150+ mph range, exceeding the demands of a Category 3 hurricane.

Key takeaway: A metal roof won't make your home indestructible, but it can dramatically improve storm performance when properly installed.

What Building Factors Affect Hurricane Performance?

Wind resistance depends on more than roofing material alone. A home's overall design plays a major role in storm performance.

Key factors include roof shape, as hip roofs generally perform better than gable roofs because they distribute wind pressure more evenly. Roof slope matters too, with steeper slopes typically experiencing lower uplift forces. Shorter eaves reduce uplift risk at roof edges, while taller homes face higher wind pressures due to building height and exposure. Additionally, wind forces must transfer from the roof to the walls and foundation without weak links through a continuous load path.

Why Substructural Decking Is the Critical Factor

When it comes to high-wind performance, one factor outweighs nearly all others: what the roof is attached to. Roof decking and framing form the foundation of a roof's ability to resist uplift during severe weather.

In high-wind regions like Florida, updated building codes now require thicker roof sheathing and tighter fastening schedules than in the past, reflecting how critical the roof deck is to overall performance. Simply put, even the strongest metal roofing system can only perform as well as the structure beneath it.

For open-frame construction, the same principle applies. Purlin spacing plays a major role in wind resistance, with tighter spacing improving uplift performance and reducing stress on the panels during high-wind events.

Standing Seam vs. Exposed Fastener Systems for Coastal Applications

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is which metal roofing system performs better in coastal environments. While both systems can be used successfully, the level of wind resistance, water tightness, and long-term performance varies by system type and installation method.

Standing seam metal roofing systems are often preferred for coastal and high-wind applications because they offer several built-in advantages: concealed fastener attachment, which helps reduce potential leak points; continuous panel engagement, improving long-term weather tightness; and higher achievable wind-uplift ratings when properly designed and installed.

Within standing seam systems, mechanically seamed panels generally provide enhanced resistance to wind uplift and water penetration compared to other standing seam attachment methods. This is why mechanically seamed systems are often specified for projects with higher wind requirements.

Exposed fastener (through-fastened) metal roofing systems can also perform well in coastal applications when they are properly selected and installed. Successful performance depends on using appropriate fasteners with sealing washers designed for exterior exposure, increasing fastener density in high-wind zones, and following manufacturer-recommended installation guidelines and local building code requirements.

For homeowners, choosing the right system comes down to understanding the home's wind exposure, location, and overall roof design, and working with a qualified metal roofing contractor who can help match the system to those conditions.

Clip Spacing and Fastener Strategies for High-Wind Zones

Fastener and clip placement play a critical role in coastal performance, especially at roof edges and corners.

FEMA guidance emphasizes increased attachment near eaves, ridges, and hips; clips placed close to roof edges to resist uplift; and reinforced edge and corner zones.

For coastal applications, fastener material matters, too. FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) guidance recommends corrosion-resistant fasteners, typically hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel, within several thousand feet of the coastline.

These details are small but powerful contributors to long-term roof performance.

Choosing the Right Metal for Coastal Environments

Corrosion resistance is an important consideration for homes located near the coast, where salt and moisture are present in the air.

When evaluating metal roofing materials for coastal environments, homeowners should be aware of several key factors. Aluminum roofing is commonly used in areas with high salt exposure because of its natural resistance to corrosion. Steel substrates, including Galvalume®, are widely used across many regions, including coastal areas, but may have warranty limitations based on proximity to the shoreline. Warranty coverage for steel substrates is often tied to distance from saltwater, with exclusions that vary by warranty and commonly reference installations within approximately 1,500 feet of the shoreline.

Galvalume® provides greater corrosion resistance than traditional galvanized steel, making it a common choice where environmental conditions and warranty requirements allow. COASTALUME™ is a steel substrate engineered specifically for coastal environments. It is designed to provide enhanced corrosion resistance in salt-laden conditions and is often considered for homes located closer to the coastline, where standard steel substrates may face greater exposure concerns.

Material selection ultimately depends on environmental exposure, location, and warranty considerations rather than a single universal recommendation.

Gauge Selection for Coastal Wind Resistance

Metal thickness, referred to as gauge, is one of several factors that influence roof performance in coastal and high-wind areas.

In general, thicker metal gauges offer increased rigidity and may provide greater resistance to deformation under wind loads. Thinner gauges are commonly used in residential roofing but may require closer attention to panel profile, attachment methods, and tested wind-uplift performance in coastal applications. Panel design and width also affect wind resistance, with certain profiles and narrower panel widths responding differently under uplift forces.

Wind resistance is determined by the roof system as a whole, including tested performance, attachment methods, and the condition of the roof deck—not gauge alone.

Considering the gauge alongside other system components helps ensure the roofing system aligns with local wind requirements and building codes.

Florida Building Code Requirements for Coastal Metal Roofing

Florida has some of the strictest roofing requirements in the country.

Key requirements include Florida Product Approval for roofing materials, higher uplift resistance thresholds based on wind maps, special HVHZ requirements in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, secondary water barrier requirements, and underlayment systems designed for wind-driven rain.

These requirements apply to any roofing system installed in Florida, regardless of material type.

How Metal Roofing Can Reduce Insurance Costs in Coastal Areas

Metal roofing may also help reduce insurance risk.

Homes with UL Class 4 impact-rated roofing systems may qualify for insurance discounts. Additionally, homes built or upgraded to FORTIFIED Home™ standards have demonstrated fewer claims after major storms, reduced claim severity, and insurance savings in some states.

Metal roofing often plays a key role in qualifying for these programs.

Maintenance Requirements for Coastal Metal Roofs

Routine maintenance helps coastal metal roofs perform as intended.

General recommendations include annual or bi-annual cleaning to remove salt deposits, periodic inspections for debris and fastener condition, prompt repair of scratches or exposed cut edges, and monitoring fasteners for corrosion.

Simple, routine care can go a long way in helping a coastal metal roof perform over time.

Installation Best Practices for Maximum Wind Resistance

In coastal environments, installation quality is just as important as the roofing material itself. Even a well-designed metal roofing system can underperform if installation details are overlooked.

Best practices for maximizing wind resistance include reinforced edge flashing and trim attachment, as roof edges, eaves, rakes, and ridges experience the highest wind pressures during storms. Proper attachment of flashing and trim—often with increased fastener density—is critical to reducing uplift risk. Using fasteners designed for exterior exposure and installing them at the correct spacing helps ensure the roof remains securely attached during high-wind events. Metal roofing systems are engineered to perform as complete assemblies, so following manufacturer-approved installation methods helps ensure the system performs as tested for wind uplift and weather resistance. Sealants should be applied exactly as specified, in the correct locations and quantities, to help prevent wind-driven rain from entering seams and transitions. Overuse or improper placement can be just as problematic as underuse.

Most roof failures during hurricanes are often tied to installation issues rather than material defects. For this reason, we recommend working with trained professionals who are familiar with coastal construction requirements, as this can make a significant difference in long-term performance.

Common Installation Mistakes That Compromise Wind Resistance

Even high-quality materials can fail when installed incorrectly.

Common mistakes include insufficient clip or fastener placement near roof edges, using the wrong fastener types for coastal exposure, poor substrate preparation, ignoring edge and corner reinforcement, and installing systems that don't meet design uplift loads.

Avoiding these issues starts with selecting experienced installers and following manufacturer guidance.

Final Thoughts

Coastal roofing requires more than standard solutions. Wind exposure, salt air, and moisture demand thoughtful design, careful material selection, and experienced installation.

When metal roofing is approached as a complete system—and maintained properly—it can deliver long-term durability, storm resilience, and peace of mind for homeowners living near the coast.

If you're considering a coastal metal roof, start by working with a qualified professional using McElroy Metal's Find a Contractor or Distributor tool.