No kidding—coastal air eats up cheap materials fast. I’ve seen folks try to get by with galvanized hardware, but it just doesn’t last out here. Stainless or even coated fasteners make a difference. Sometimes “saving” upfront just means double the work later.
Sometimes “saving” upfront just means double the work later.
That’s spot on. I’ve watched neighbors swap out rusted hinges and deck screws every couple of years, thinking they were saving a buck by skipping stainless. In the end, it’s just more waste and hassle. If you’re budgeting for a beach house reno, I’d argue it’s worth factoring in not just the initial material cost, but the environmental impact of replacements too. Cheaper hardware doesn’t just cost more in labor—it’s more landfill, more shipping, more everything. Long-term thinking pays off, both for your wallet and the planet.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients try to “save” on fixtures or hardware, only to call me back a year later when their towel bars are rusting and their drawer pulls look like they’ve been through a shipwreck. Beach houses are brutal on materials—salt air is like the ultimate stress test. I always say, “If it can survive your in-laws’ visit and a hurricane season, it’s probably worth the splurge.”
Cheaper hardware doesn’t just cost more in labor—it’s more landfill, more shipping, more everything.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I once had a client who insisted on bargain-bin cabinet hinges for their kitchen. Fast forward 18 months: every single one was corroded, doors sagging, and we ended up replacing them all with marine-grade stainless anyway. Double the work, double the cost, and a whole lot of grumbling (mostly from me, if I’m honest).
It’s tempting to cut corners when you see those price tags—especially when you’re staring down the barrel of a full reno budget—but honestly, it’s like buying cheap shoes for a marathon. You’ll pay for it in blisters... or in this case, endless trips to the hardware store.
I get that not everyone has an unlimited budget (who does?), but if there’s anywhere to stretch a little, it’s on stuff that’ll get hammered by salt and humidity. Even things like paint—go for the good exterior stuff or you’ll be repainting before you know it. And don’t get me started on light fixtures; I’ve seen some wild corrosion situations that looked like modern art gone wrong.
Long story short: spend where it counts, especially on anything metal or exposed. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.
honestly, it’s like buying cheap shoes for a marathon. You’ll pay for it in blisters... or in this case, endless trips to the hardware store.
This cracked me up because I totally get it. I tried to save on some “cute” towel hooks and they started rusting after one summer—lesson learned. Now I’m just biting the bullet and going for the pricier stuff where it matters. It hurts up front, but I’d rather not replace everything every year.
Yeah, I hear you—cutting corners always seems to backfire, especially with anything that gets hit by salt air. I learned the hard way with window hardware... thought I could get away with the cheaper stuff, but it corroded so fast it was almost funny. Now I just ask myself, “Do I want to do this job once or every summer?” Not everything needs to be top of the line, but for fixtures and exterior stuff, it’s worth paying extra. Have you noticed how even some of the ‘mid-range’ brands don’t hold up near the coast?
