We love living in Virginia Beach— beautiful coastal views, warm weather, and a great community. However, the coastal climate can be tough on our homes, especially our roofs.
Salty air, high humidity, strong winds, and heavy rainfall all take a toll. As local roofing experts in Virginia Beach, let’s share some coastal roofing tips to protect you and your home.
Salty air can wear down your shingles and corrode your metal roof.
That salty ocean air feels excellent when you’re at the beach. For your shingles, that sea breeze is abrasive. It can cause wear and tear as well as increase moisture retention. Salt can absorb moisture from the air, making shingles more susceptible to mold and mildew. However, we’ll get to that in the next section.
Metal roofs are resistant to cracking, shrinking, eroding, mildew, insects, and rot, making them a great option for coastal homes. However, they are susceptible to salty air, which can erode their protective coating. If left unchecked, the metal can rust and deteriorate.
How can we prevent this?
We recommend higher-quality shingles, like modified IR shingles, for shingle roofs and recoating metal roofs every 10-20 years.
Regular inspections can catch early signs of problems before they snowball into expensive fixes. Like us, roofers trained in metal roofs can even recommend specific types of coating for your metal roof.

High humidity can cause mold, moss, mildew, and many other gross things.
In the sweltering summer heat, there’s nothing worse than high humidity. This moisture creates the perfect environment for mold, moss, mildew, algae, and even rot. Again, higher-quality shingles and regular inspections can help.
You can prevent or at least discourage this growth by keeping your gutters clean and ensuring your attic is well-ventilated. Clogged-up gutters can be the starting ground for mold, mildew, moss, etc. Stagnated air can contribute to their growth by preventing moisture-rich areas from drying out. Installing zinc or copper strips near the roof’s ridge can also help. When it rains, the strips release ions, which prevent growth.
If you already see signs of growth, you can treat it by brushing it off with a bristle brush or broom. Then, the growth can be killed by treating it with a mixture of water and bleach or some specialized cleaning product like an anti-fungal treatment. But be very careful when working with water on your roof. The bleach method takes about a few days to clear all the growth. To keep your surrounding plants alive, wash them with water before and after the bleach treatment.
Strong winds require strong shingles (or a metal roof).
Virginia Beach gets its fair share of strong winds, especially during hurricane season. High winds can lift shingles and loosen flashing, leaving your roof vulnerable to leaks. It is crucial to get your roof inspection Virginia Beach before and after hurricane season.
Higher quality shingles, like designer or modified IR shingles, can withstand winds of 130-150 mph. A metal roof can withstand winds of 140 mph. For context, a category 3 hurricane can reach wind speeds up to 129 mph. Major hurricanes are rare in Virginia, meaning these materials can withstand what nature throws at you.
Higher quality materials generally mean a higher upfront cost. However, we believe the protection they provide to your home and family is well worth the investment.

Conclusion: Trust a roofer who understands your climate.
As local roofers, we’re proud to serve our communitiesand share Coastal Roofing Tips. But we also understand the unique challenges of living in a coastal area like Virginia Beach. Our team is licensed and insured. All of our projects are backed by a workmanship and manufacturer warranty. So trust, your local Virginia Beach roofing company!
If we were receiving roofing services, we would want that same peace of mind. If you’re experiencing any of the problems outlined above, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can provide you with a comprehensive inspection to keep your home safe.