I totally get the temptation to go with the cheaper stuff, especially when you see the price difference up front. I’m in the middle of my first big reno and I’ve been trying to figure out where it’s okay to save and where it’s just not worth it. For siding, I did a ton of research (probably too much—my browser history is 90% “best siding for salty air” at this point) and it seems like the budget options just don’t hold up long-term by the coast. Even the “weather-resistant” vinyl didn’t get great reviews from folks living near the ocean.
What I ended up doing was making a list of the stuff that’s most exposed—siding, windows, roof—and just biting the bullet on those. For things like interior paint or fixtures, I went cheaper and figured I could swap them out later if needed. It’s not a perfect system, but so far, nothing’s fallen off the house... yet. If you’re trying to stretch your budget, maybe focus on durability for the outside and save on the stuff that’s easier to replace. That’s been my approach, anyway.
That’s a really solid approach, honestly. I’ve been knee-deep in spreadsheets trying to figure out where to allocate funds for our place, and it’s wild how fast the numbers add up when you start prioritizing exterior stuff. I agree—cutting corners on siding or windows near the ocean just doesn’t pay off. I tried to convince myself that “marine-grade” vinyl would be fine, but after reading a bunch of horror stories about warping and fading, I decided it wasn’t worth the gamble.
I do think there’s room to save on things like interior hardware or even flooring in less-used rooms. Swapping out a light fixture is way easier than dealing with water intrusion from bad flashing. It’s not always easy to draw the line, though—I keep second-guessing if I’m being too cautious or not cautious enough.
Anyway, your method of listing out what’s most exposed makes a lot of sense. It’s reassuring to hear nothing’s fallen off yet... gives me hope that maybe my own house will survive its first winter by the beach.
Funny you mention marine-grade vinyl—I had a client who went that route and ended up with siding that looked like a tie-dye project after two summers. I always tell people, spend where the salt and sun hit hardest, but don’t stress about every single doorknob. Have you noticed any weird wear inside yet, or is it mostly the exterior that’s giving you headaches?
I’ve definitely seen the “marine-grade” label fool a lot of folks—sometimes it just means “expensive plastic that still fades weirdly.” Had a similar thing happen with some supposedly UV-resistant composite decking. Looked great for one season, then started getting these patchy sun-bleached spots. Not quite tie-dye, but close enough that my neighbor started joking about installing a disco ball.
- Interior-wise, I’ve noticed salt air sneaks in more than you’d expect. Door hinges and cabinet pulls get this gritty film, and sometimes they corrode faster than the stuff outside. I swapped out all the cheap hardware for stainless after year one—lesson learned.
- Floors are another spot that surprised me. Sand gets everywhere, and if you go with anything softer than tile or LVP, it’ll look worn in no time. I tried to save a few bucks with engineered wood in the bedrooms, but it’s already looking rough around the entryways.
- Windows are holding up okay, but I do see some fogging on the double panes—guessing the seals just can’t keep up with the humidity swings.
I get wanting to save where you can, but honestly, I’d rather have basic knobs and spend more on hurricane-rated windows and doors. The little stuff is easy to swap out later if it gets gross or rusty.
Funny thing—my cousin went all-in on high-end fixtures inside but cheaped out on exterior paint. Two years later, he’s repainting while his fancy bathroom faucet still looks brand new. Sometimes it feels like you’re just picking which battle you want to fight next...
That’s wild about the “marine-grade” stuff—
I’m running into similar issues trying to figure out where to put my money. I keep hearing mixed advice on flooring—some folks swear by tile, others say LVP is fine if you’re not right on the water. Did you notice a big difference in install costs between those two? Also, for hurricane windows, did you go impact-rated or just heavy-duty? Trying to figure out if the extra cost is worth it long-term.sometimes it just means “expensive plastic that still fades weirdly.”
