Title: How Much Should I Budget To Renovate A Beach House?
I hear you on the “marine grade” stuff—honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times clients have been disappointed by it. There’s this one project I worked on, right on the dunes, where we splurged on all the so-called weatherproof hardware. Two years in, and the hinges had these weird orange freckles. It’s like the ocean air just laughs at our best efforts.
I’ve started leaning into materials that embrace a bit of wear, or at least don’t look terrible when they age. Teak for outdoor furniture, for example—it gets that silvery patina instead of looking rusty or grimy. But for things like door handles and window locks, it’s a constant battle. I’m curious if anyone’s tried those composite materials that look like metal but are supposed to be more resistant? I’ve only seen them in catalogs, never in person.
Budget-wise, I always tell people to set aside extra for maintenance and replacements, not just the initial reno. It’s wild how quickly things can go from shiny-new to “why is this corroding already?” Especially if you’re right on the water. Sometimes I wonder if it’s better to go with less expensive hardware and just plan to swap it out every few years, rather than investing in the “best” and still being let down.
Has anyone found a finish or material that actually holds up longer than a couple seasons? Or is it just about accepting the inevitable and factoring in ongoing touch-ups?
I’ve wrestled with this too, and honestly, I’m not convinced there’s a “forever” solution for hardware near saltwater. Even the high-end stainless stuff seems to pit or discolor after a couple years. I’ve tried powder-coated finishes, but they eventually chip. Lately, I’ve been budgeting for replacements every 3-5 years and just accepting it as part of the cost of owning a place on the coast. It’s frustrating, but factoring in ongoing maintenance upfront has saved me some headaches down the line.
That’s been my experience too—no matter what you use, the salt air just eats away at it. I tried going “all in” with marine-grade hardware a few years back, thinking it’d be a one-and-done thing. Nope. Stuff still started looking rough after a couple seasons, especially anything that gets direct spray or is close to the ground. I’ve pretty much accepted that I’m on a 3-5 year replacement cycle for things like door handles, hinges, and even some light fixtures.
One thing I’ve found helps a little is rinsing things off with fresh water every so often, but honestly… who’s got time to do that regularly? It’s just one of those hidden costs of living by the beach that nobody really warns you about. I used to get frustrated about it, but now I just work it into my budget from the start and try not to stress when stuff starts looking shabby. If you figure in those ongoing costs ahead of time, it definitely makes the sticker shock of replacements sting a bit less.
I get what you’re saying, but I’ve actually had better luck with certain brands of marine hardware—some of it’s held up way longer than the standard stuff, especially if you go for solid brass or stainless (not just “plated”). It’s not cheap, though, and you still have to keep an eye on it. Have you tried swapping out things like light fixtures for plastic or composite materials? I know it’s not everyone’s taste, but I’ve found they don’t corrode nearly as fast. Just curious if anyone else has had luck with those, or if I just got lucky this time around...
I get where you’re coming from with the composites, but I’ve actually had a couple of those plastic fixtures crack after a year or two—maybe it’s the sun exposure? For me, paying more upfront for solid brass or stainless has saved on replacements down the line. The upfront cost stings, but I think it balances out when you factor in labor and time. If you’re budgeting for a full reno, I’d lean toward durability over quick savings... especially near saltwater.
