Metal roof amps up performance – and looks – for beachfront condo building

When it comes to oceanfront living, you can’t get much closer than the Shipwatch Villas on Florida’s Amelia Island. Residents of this 7-story condominium complex enjoy wide-open views of the Atlantic Ocean in all its moods. Of course, this proximity to salt spray – and, on occasion, hurricane-force winds – can pose challenges. So, when owners recently faced the need to reroof as part of a larger exterior renovation effort, they turned to standing-seam metal panels due to their proven ability to stand up to coastal elements.

Amelia Island is a barrier island located less than an hour from the urban amenities of Jacksonville, Fla. The master-planned Amelia Island Plantation, with the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort hotel at its center, was first developed in the early 1970s with an eye to protecting its tidal marshes, dunes, savannas and native wildlife. Over time, oceanfront condominium buildings were constructed along with single-family homes. And, golfers now have their choice of three championship golf courses.

In 2018, the association managing the Shipwatch Villas complex recognized the need for a full exterior renovation. The building, originally constructed in 1975, needed a number of repairs to its stucco walls to improve resistance to wind-driven rain, along with a full roof replacement. They called on consultants with the local firm Construction Solutions to understand what roofing systems could best stand up to the demanding conditions. PAC-CLAD metal roof panels from Petersen were the consultants’ first choice.

Now 30,000 sq. ft. of Petersen’s Tite-Loc Plus .032 and .040 aluminum panels cover the low-slope portions of the building’s roof (TPO membrane was used for the flat portions housing mechanical equipment). Both Construction Solutions and installation pros with Sanford, Fla.-based Premier Roofing Co. had a history of good working experiences with Petersen’s field and shop staff. But, this isn’t just a roof that will add decades to this beachfront building’s working life – it has added to its visual appeal, as well. The Sandstone finish of the new metal panels is a perfect complement to both the façade’s new appearance and the surrounding natural beauty.