Brass definitely holds up well—had some installed at our family's beach cottage about 12 years ago and it's just now hitting that nice patina stage. Composite decking was a lifesaver too; wood looked great initially but upkeep was a nightmare with the salty air. Budget-wise, I'd say factor in a bit extra for maintenance surprises...they always pop up, especially near the ocean. Sounds like you're already making smart choices though.
"Budget-wise, I'd say factor in a bit extra for maintenance surprises...they always pop up, especially near the ocean."
Couldn't agree more about budgeting extra for unexpected maintenance—coastal environments are notoriously harsh on materials. One thing I'd add is to carefully consider your window treatments. Salt air and humidity can quickly degrade fabrics and certain blinds. I've found that synthetic or marine-grade materials hold up best over time. Have you thought about window options yet? It's a detail that's easy to overlook but can make a big difference long-term.
Good point about window treatments—I learned that one the hard way. A few years back, we put in some nice wooden blinds thinking they'd look great. Within a year, the salt air had warped and discolored them pretty badly. Ended up switching to marine-grade vinyl blinds, and they've held up way better. Definitely worth spending a bit more upfront to avoid replacing stuff every couple of years...
Good advice on the blinds—marine-grade vinyl is definitely the way to go. Learned something similar myself when we renovated our place near the coast. A few things I found helpful budgeting-wise:
- Prioritize materials that resist corrosion and moisture damage. Stainless steel fixtures, composite decking, and weather-resistant siding might cost more upfront but save money long-term.
- Factor in regular maintenance costs. Salt air means you'll repaint or reseal surfaces more often than inland homes.
- Don't underestimate landscaping costs. Native plants and hardy grasses hold up better and require less upkeep.
- Set aside at least 10-15% extra for unexpected issues. Coastal renovations always seem to uncover hidden problems (rusted pipes, water damage behind walls...).
I initially tried cutting corners to save money, but ended up spending more fixing mistakes later. Now I prefer spending a bit extra upfront to avoid headaches down the road.
Solid points on the budgeting—especially the landscaping bit. I overlooked that at first, thinking coastal plants would just naturally thrive. Ended up replacing half my garden after the first year because I chose plants that couldn't handle the salty breeze. Lesson learned the hard way.
One thing I'd add from experience is to budget extra for windows and doors. Initially went with standard frames, but the salt air ate through them way faster than expected. Upgrading to fiberglass or vinyl-clad frames was pricier upfront but saved me from constant replacements.
Curious if anyone's had experience with roofing materials? I've heard mixed things about metal vs. asphalt shingles in coastal climates. Metal seems durable, but I've also heard corrosion can be an issue over time...anyone have firsthand experience on how they hold up?
