Fiberglass definitely holds up better, but don't overlook stainless steel hardware either. Had fiberglass windows installed, but the contractor skimped on hinges and screws—rust city after just two seasons. Ended up swapping everything out for marine-grade stainless steel. Costs a bit more, sure, but worth every penny if you're near saltwater. Just something else to factor into your budget...
Good call on the stainless steel hardware—seen that rust issue way too often near the coast. Had a client last year who went all-in on fiberglass doors and windows but initially skipped upgrading the hardware. Same story, rust everywhere in no time. Once we switched to marine-grade stainless, problem solved. Sure, it bumps up the budget a bit, but honestly, it's money well spent when you're dealing with salt air. Glad you caught it early enough to swap things out before it got worse... live and learn, right?
"Sure, it bumps up the budget a bit, but honestly, it's money well spent when you're dealing with salt air."
Couldn't agree more. I've flipped a few coastal properties and learned this the hard way myself. A couple years back, I thought I'd save some cash by going standard on fixtures and hinges—big mistake. Within months, everything metal looked like it'd been sitting out for decades. Had to pull everything off and redo it with marine-grade hardware, ended up costing me double in labor alone. Lesson learned for sure.
Honestly, budgeting for renovations near saltwater is always tricky because there are hidden costs you just don't anticipate until you've been through it. I usually set aside at least 10-15% extra for these types of upgrades or unexpected replacements. Sounds steep at first, but trust me, you'll thank yourself later when you're not scrambling to fix rusted-out parts halfway through the project...
I get the logic behind budgeting extra for marine-grade hardware, but honestly, sometimes it's overkill. I've had decent luck just using stainless steel fixtures and giving them a good coat of protective spray every year or so. Sure, it takes a bit of maintenance, but it's way cheaper than going full marine-grade on everything.
"Had to pull everything off and redo it with marine-grade hardware, ended up costing me double in labor alone."
Maybe you just got unlucky with the standard stuff you picked? I've found that careful selection and regular upkeep can save a decent chunk of change without sacrificing durability.
Yeah, agreed—marine-grade isn't always necessary. I've found standard stainless steel holds up fine if you rinse off salt regularly and spray occasionally. A little extra maintenance can go a long way, especially if you're handy with upkeep.
