how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?

"Granted, my porch sees heavy foot traffic and gets blasted by direct sun for most of the afternoon..."

Yeah, that direct sun can really do a number on epoxy finishes. Had similar issues myself on a beach property - marine varnish ended up being way easier to manage long-term. Good call switching back.

Yeah, that direct sun can really do a number on epoxy finishes.

Yeah, epoxy can be tricky outdoors - especially at the beach. Had a similar issue renovating a client's deck last summer; the sun and sand combo wore it down in no time. Marine varnish was definitely easier to maintain, but I ended up going with sustainably sourced hardwood and a natural oil finish. Held up surprisingly well, and refinishing was a breeze every couple years. Might be worth considering if you're looking for something durable but eco-friendly.

Had a similar experience with epoxy on our porch - thought it'd be perfect since it's covered, but the afternoon sun still hits it pretty hard. After two summers, it started yellowing and peeling in spots. Ended up stripping it all off (not fun...) and switched to a tung oil-based finish on reclaimed wood. Definitely easier upkeep, and it ages gracefully rather than looking worn out. Might not be everyone's style, but it's held up nicely so far.

Totally get you on the epoxy struggle - been there myself. Tung oil finish on reclaimed wood is a fantastic pivot, honestly. It’s eco-friendly, breathable, and the way it ages adds character rather than just looking worn down. Plus, touch-ups are way less of a headache. Good call switching things up... sometimes simpler really is better in the long run.

"Good call switching things up... sometimes simpler really is better in the long run."

Couldn't agree more. Learned that lesson the hard way myself when renovating a family beach house a few years back. Initially went all-in on high-end finishes - fancy tiles, complicated lighting setups, you name it. Looked amazing at first, but the salty air and humidity had other plans. Within two seasons, fixtures were rusting, paint was peeling, and I was constantly chasing touch-ups.

Ended up ripping half of it out and going simpler - think natural woods sealed with breathable finishes (like your tung oil), easy-maintenance flooring, and marine-grade hardware. Honestly, it was cheaper in the long run because I wasn't constantly fixing things. Budget-wise, it's tough to pin down exactly without knowing specifics, but whatever you estimate... add at least 20% for surprises. Beach properties always throw curveballs your way - trust me on this one.