Steel roofing & cladding in coastal environments: Navigating key challenges while maintaining design flexibility

Buildings and other infrastructure close to the ocean can experience issues due to the aggressive, corrosive environment. While the rate of deterioration varies among metal roofs and walls, without the right protection, they can succumb to the effects of humidity and salty sea air.

For these reasons, architects are sometimes hesitant to use steel for buildings near the coast. There are concerns not only about corrosion but also the effects it will have on warranties and the perception that there are limited design options. Architects may choose to use other materials, even if they do not offer the same performance, functional or aesthetic benefits as steel.

However, today there is a greater range of design options than is commonly thought. Brands like UniCote provide a range of solutions for different environmental conditions, with an expanding selection of colours, finishes and textures. Architects and designers now have the flexibility to realise their design intent, even in the most challenging environments.

In this whitepaper, we discuss the design considerations when using steel in coastal environments. By using the right corrosion-resistant metals and coatings and understanding the range of design options available, architects will be able to achieve their creative vision without having to forfeit form, function or aesthetics.

Download this whitepaper to delve into Unicote's comprehensive solutions for addressing the challenges of coastal environments in construction.