Marine-grade plywood’s tough, no doubt, but I’ve actually had better luck with some of the new recycled composite subfloor panels. They’re pricier up front, but they don’t rot or warp, and you’re not cutting down more trees. Plus, less off-gassing than treated wood. If you’re already spending extra for durability, might as well go all-in on something that’s both eco-friendly and built to last. Just my two cents—salt air’s brutal, but there are greener ways to fight it.
I hear you on the composites—they’re definitely making big strides, and I’ve used them on a couple coastal jobs. They hold up well, but I still lean toward marine ply for certain spots, especially where you might need to anchor heavy stuff or if you’re dealing with weird joist spacing. Composites are great, just gotta watch out for flex if you’re spanning longer distances. Either way, salt air’s gonna test whatever you put down... budget-wise, I’d pad in a little extra for those upgrades, since beach houses always seem to throw curveballs.
Title: How much should I budget to renovate a beach house?
Ha, you nailed it with the "curveballs"—my last beach reno turned into a game of whack-a-mole with hidden rot and mystery leaks. I agree, composites are solid but sometimes you just need the old-school stuff for peace of mind. Padding the budget is smart... I always add at least 20% for the “uh-oh” moments. Ever had a deck board warp overnight from salt air? Wild.
Salt air is brutal, right? I’ve seen composite boards hold up better than most, but nothing’s immune to that constant moisture. The 20% buffer is solid, though sometimes I even push it to 25% if the place is older or hasn’t had a reno in decades. Ever try using marine-grade plywood for subfloors? Not cheap, but it’s saved me from repeat rot headaches. Curious if you’ve found any old-school materials that actually outlast the new stuff in that salty environment?
Marine-grade plywood is a lifesaver, but yeah, the price tag stings. I’ve tried old-school redwood planks in a couple spots—honestly, they held up better than I expected, but still needed more upkeep than composites. For budgeting, I always pad at least 20% too, but sometimes it feels like you could double that with all the surprises in these salty spots. Ever had luck with pressure-treated lumber? I hear mixed things about how it holds up long-term near the coast.
