- Totally agree on the reclaimed vs. new lumber debate, especially with beach properties.
- I’ve seen folks try to save a buck with reclaimed, only to end up spending more fixing warped boards or dealing with termites down the line. Not fun.
- New lumber’s upfront cost stings, but you’re buying peace of mind and fewer headaches later. That’s worth a lot, especially if you’re planning to rent or resell.
- Mixing in a few reclaimed accent pieces is a great compromise—adds character without risking the structure. I’ve done that in a couple of flips and it always gets compliments.
- Coastal humidity really does a number on materials. Even treated wood can struggle if you cut corners.
- Sounds like you’re making smart calls for your situation. Sometimes spending a bit more now saves you big time later... learned that one the hard way myself.
- If you keep balancing durability and style, you’ll end up with something solid and unique.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with reclaimed wood—if you’re picky about your source and really inspect each piece.
I’ve gone a little heavier on the reclaimed side for some projects, especially interiors, and it’s held up fine. Maybe it’s just luck or maybe the local climate isn’t as rough as some spots, but sometimes those old boards are tougher than they look. Just gotta be ready to put in the extra work up front.Mixing in a few reclaimed accent pieces is a great compromise—adds character without risking the structure.
Reclaimed wood’s a wild card, but I’ve seen it work out pretty well too—especially for interiors where you’re not fighting the elements as much. Here’s how I usually break it down when budgeting for a beach house reno:
- Reclaimed wood: Looks great, but yeah, you’ve gotta factor in extra labor for prepping and sorting. Sometimes you find nails from the 1950s... bonus points if you don’t step on one.
- For structure, I still lean new—salt air is brutal, and I’ve had to replace beams that looked fine but were secretly rotting from the inside out. Learned that one the hard way.
- Accent walls, shelving, even some cabinetry with reclaimed? Totally worth it for the character. Just budget a little extra for surprises.
- As for numbers, I usually add a 15-20% “beach tax” to whatever I’d spend inland. Materials, labor, even delivery—everything costs more near the water.
Mixing old and new keeps things interesting, but yeah, be ready for some curveballs. That’s half the fun, right?
That “beach tax” is real—people don’t realize how much more you end up spending just for being near salt water. I’d even argue 20% might be conservative depending on the area, especially if you’re dealing with contractors who don’t want to haul materials out there.
For structure, I still lean new—salt air is brutal, and I’ve had to replace beams that looked fine but were secretly rotting from the inside out.
Totally agree here. I tried using some old joists once, thinking I’d save a buck, but ended up ripping them all out after a year. Not worth rolling the dice on anything structural. Interiors, though? That’s where reclaimed shines. Just be ready for weird surprises—found an old whiskey label nailed under some paneling last time. Kinda cool, but definitely slowed things down.
If you’re running numbers, I’d pad the contingency fund even more than usual. Beach places always throw curveballs with moisture and hidden damage... it’s just part of the game.
I get the concern about salt air wrecking stuff, but I’ve actually had decent luck with certain reclaimed structural lumber—if it’s dense old-growth and you treat it right, it can hold up better than some new stock. Not saying it’s always a safe bet, but sometimes “new” doesn’t mean better quality.
Not worth rolling the dice on anything structural.
Depends what you’re rolling with, honestly. I’d just be picky about what gets reused and always overdo the sealing/encapsulation. Agree 100% on contingency though... beach jobs always go sideways somewhere.
