Yeah, composite decking is definitely worth the extra upfront cost—especially near the beach. Curious though, did you run into any issues with permits or inspections when switching to reclaimed lumber? I've heard some areas can be picky about materials, even if they're eco-friendly. Also wondering if anyone's had luck with moisture barriers or sealants that actually hold up long-term against salt air... seems like a constant battle.
"Also wondering if anyone's had luck with moisture barriers or sealants that actually hold up long-term against salt air... seems like a constant battle."
Ha, "constant battle" is putting it mildly—salt air is basically the final boss of beach renovations. Totally agree on composite decking being worth the extra cash. I tried reclaimed lumber once, and while I didn't have permit issues (thankfully my inspector was pretty chill about it), the maintenance was a bigger headache than expected. Even eco-friendly wood needs serious sealing if you're near the ocean.
As for sealants, I've had decent luck with marine-grade spar varnish—it’s pricey, but it's held up better than most other things I've tried. Still, nothing's bulletproof. Eventually, salt and moisture always find their way in somehow. Honestly, budgeting for regular touch-ups and maintenance is probably just as important as your initial renovation costs. Learned that one the hard way...
Still, nothing's bulletproof.
Marine-grade spar varnish is solid, but I've found epoxy-based sealants hold up even better. They're a pain to apply and not exactly cheap, but they've bought me more time between touch-ups. Curious—did you notice any yellowing issues with the spar varnish over time?
I've noticed some yellowing with spar varnish too, especially after a couple seasons in direct sunlight. Switched to epoxy-based sealants on my deck railings last year—definitely pricier and trickier to apply, but they've held up impressively well so far. Still early days, but I'm hopeful it'll save me from constant maintenance headaches down the line...
Interesting you mention epoxy-based sealants—I tried something similar a few years back on the porch of my old Victorian. At first, I was pretty impressed with how well it held up, especially compared to spar varnish, which yellowed and peeled faster than I'd like. But after about three or four seasons, I noticed the epoxy started to develop tiny cracks and discoloration spots. Granted, my porch sees heavy foot traffic and gets blasted by direct sun for most of the afternoon, so maybe that's harsher than deck railings.
I ended up switching back to spar varnish but went with a marine-grade one this time—a bit pricier than the standard hardware store stuff but still cheaper than epoxy. I've found that applying a fresh coat every two years or so keeps it looking pretty decent without too much hassle. Yes, there's still some maintenance involved, but it's predictable at least, and I don't have to deal with the fussy prep work or curing times epoxy demands.
Not saying epoxy isn't a good solution—especially if you're looking to minimize maintenance—but just wanted to share that my experience wasn't quite as hassle-free as I'd hoped in the long run. Maybe it depends heavily on climate conditions or even the specific brand used? I'm curious if anyone else has had similar experiences after a few more years of wear and tear...
