Vinyl can definitely hold up, but honestly, I'd lean toward fiberglass if your budget allows. My folks replaced their beach house windows with vinyl a few years back, and while they're holding up okay, the salt spray has definitely taken its toll—some discoloration and minor warping already. Fiberglass seems pricier upfront but might save you headaches down the road. Aluminum's solid too, but corrosion can be an issue unless it's specially treated. Just my two cents from watching their experience unfold...
"Fiberglass seems pricier upfront but might save you headaches down the road."
Totally agree with this. When we renovated our coastal place, we went fiberglass after seeing neighbors struggle with vinyl issues similar to what you described. It was a bit of a budget stretch at first, but honestly, zero regrets now. Hang in there—renovations can feel overwhelming, but it'll all come together eventually and you'll be glad you invested wisely.
We went fiberglass too, and yeah, it stung a bit at first when we saw the quotes. But honestly, after seeing how vinyl held up (or didn't...) at my brother-in-law's beach place, I'm glad we bit the bullet. Renovations always feel like they're spiraling out of control halfway through, but trust me, once you're sipping coffee on your deck without worrying about repairs every season, you'll know it was worth it. Hang in there, you've got this.
- Totally agree on fiberglass—vinyl near the ocean just doesn't cut it long-term.
- Budget-wise, expect at least 20-30% more than your initial estimates. Beach houses always throw curveballs (salt damage, surprise rot...).
- Best advice I got: prioritize materials that handle moisture and salt air well upfront, even if pricier. Saves headaches later.
- Hang tight through the chaos phase—once you're done, you'll forget the stress when you're kicking back with that ocean view.
"Hang tight through the chaos phase—once you're done, you'll forget the stress when you're kicking back with that ocean view."
Haha, this is spot-on. Renovating near the beach is definitely an adventure... or maybe more like a rollercoaster ride you didn't quite sign up for. I remember budgeting carefully for my first coastal property, thinking I'd covered everything. Then boom—surprise termite damage and rusted-out fixtures everywhere. Ended up spending way more than planned, but honestly, it was worth every penny.
One thing I'd add: don't underestimate landscaping costs either. Salt air and sandy soil can be brutal on plants, so choosing hardy native species upfront saved me a ton of hassle later. Plus, they look great and blend naturally with the surroundings.
But yeah, once you're sipping coffee on your deck watching the sunrise over the waves, all those unexpected expenses and headaches fade pretty quickly into distant memories...
