3 minutes
If you live in Duxbury, Hingham, or Scituate, you already know our coastal location brings incredible views — and some unique roofing challenges. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of misinformation about how to protect your roof in a salty, windy, nor’easter-prone environment.
Let’s bust some of the most common myths so you can make informed decisions about protecting your home.
Myth #1: “All Roofing Materials Perform the Same at the Coast”
The Truth: Not even close.
Coastal conditions accelerate wear on certain materials. Salt air corrodes metal fasteners, strong winds loosen shingles, and constant moisture can encourage moss growth.
For example:
Asphalt Shingles: Work well when paired with stainless steel nails and reinforced ridge caps.
Metal Roofs: Highly durable but need marine-grade coatings to prevent corrosion.
Cedar Shakes: Attractive, but require frequent maintenance to resist rot and algae.
South Shore Tip: In Duxbury and Scituate, always ask for stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners to withstand salt exposure.
Myth #2: “If It’s Wind-Rated, It’s Storm-Proof”
The Truth: Wind ratings are a guideline, not a guarantee.
A shingle rated for 130 mph winds might perform perfectly in a lab test, but coastal storms bring gusts, flying debris, and wind-driven rain that aren’t part of the test. Proper installation is just as important as the wind rating itself.
South Shore Tip: In Hingham, request enhanced nailing patterns — especially in ridge and eave zones where wind uplift is strongest.
Myth #3: “Metal Roofs Are Too Noisy in Coastal Rainstorms”
The Truth: Modern metal roofs, installed over proper underlayment and decking, are no louder than asphalt shingles. The “ping-ping” sound most people imagine comes from bare metal panels without insulation.
Bonus: Metal roofs can shed snow and ice more easily than asphalt, which is a plus in Duxbury winters.
Myth #4: “Dark Roofs Are Always Bad for Energy Efficiency”
The Truth: In Massachusetts, a dark roof can actually help in winter by absorbing more heat from the sun, melting snow faster, and reducing ice dam risk.
The key is balancing heat gain in winter with ventilation to avoid overheating in summer.
South Shore Tip: In Scituate, where winter storms are more frequent than extreme summer heatwaves, a medium-to-dark shingle can be a smart choice.
Myth #5: “You Don’t Need Ice & Water Shield if You’re Near the Ocean”
The Truth: Coastal homes face both wind-driven rain and occasional snow — and ice & water shield protects against both. In fact, the wind can push rain under shingles just as easily as melting snow can seep under them.
Massachusetts building code requires ice & water shield along eaves, but in coastal towns, many roofers extend it over the entire roof for maximum protection.
Myth #6: “Roof Maintenance is Optional if You Have a New Roof”
The Truth: Even brand-new roofs need regular checkups, especially near the coast.
Why?
Salt can cause corrosion from day one.
Wind storms can loosen shingles without you noticing.
Seals around flashing and vents can degrade quickly in UV-heavy coastal environments.
South Shore Tip: Schedule inspections every spring and fall in Hingham to catch small problems early.
Myth #7: “Ventilation Doesn’t Matter in a Coastal Climate”
The Truth: Ventilation is crucial everywhere, but especially here. Poor ventilation leads to:
Moisture buildup from humid sea air
Mold growth in the attic
Shortened roof lifespan
Balanced soffit and ridge ventilation keeps attic humidity down year-round.
Myth #8: “All Roofing Warranties Cover Storm Damage”
The Truth: Many manufacturer warranties only cover material defects — not installation issues or storm damage. And some can be voided if the roof wasn’t installed to manufacturer specs.
South Shore Tip: In Duxbury, ask both your contractor and the manufacturer for written warranty details before signing a contract.
Myth #9: “You Can Save Money by Reusing Old Flashing”
The Truth: Reusing flashing is a shortcut that can lead to leaks, especially near the ocean where corrosion happens faster.
Replacing flashing during a re-roof adds minimal cost compared to the potential water damage from reusing old materials.
Myth #10: “You Can Wait Until Spring to Fix Winter Damage”
The Truth: Winter damage needs immediate attention — waiting can cause leaks, mold growth, and structural damage. Most roofing contractors in Hingham and Scituate can handle emergency repairs even in cold weather.
Key Takeaways for South Shore Homeowners
Choose materials and fasteners designed for coastal conditions.
Proper installation is as important as product choice.
Maintenance and inspections are non-negotiable, even for new roofs.
Don’t believe everything you hear about coastal roofing — verify with a local pro.
Final Word:
In Duxbury, Hingham, and Scituate, your roof works harder than most. Understanding the truth about coastal roofing will help you make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and keep your home safe no matter what the weather brings.
Amy Johnson
Amy runs the show at Associate.