Totally agree on the fiberglass windows—vinyl just doesn't hold up near saltwater. Another thing to factor in is roofing. Metal roofs are pricier upfront, but they're practically bulletproof against coastal storms and corrosion. Asphalt shingles might seem cheaper, but you'll be replacing them way sooner than you'd like. Learned that the hard way...twice. Also, don't underestimate painting costs—salt air chews through paint fast, so budget for quality exterior paint and frequent touch-ups.
Good points on the roofing—metal definitely pays off in the long run, especially near the coast. Curious though, have you looked into composite shingles at all? I've seen some newer products hold up surprisingly well against salt and wind, and they're not quite as steep upfront as metal. Totally with you on painting costs too...it's amazing how quickly salt air can wreck a fresh coat. Sounds like you've learned from experience—hopefully third time's the charm, right?
Composite shingles are definitely getting better, agreed. Have you had any experience with how they handle algae or mold buildup near the coast? I've seen some mixed results there, curious about your take...
Composite shingles have come a long way, but algae and mold near the coast...yeah, that's still a bit of a gamble. I've done a couple beach-adjacent projects, and honestly, even the "algae-resistant" shingles eventually get some buildup. Sure, they're better than they used to be, but coastal humidity and salty air are relentless. Ever tried scrubbing algae off shingles on a ladder in 90-degree heat? Not exactly my idea of a relaxing weekend.
One thing that helps is choosing lighter colors—dark shingles seem to show algae faster. Also, zinc or copper strips along the roof ridge can help slow down growth (though they're not magic). Have you considered metal roofing at all? I know it's pricier upfront, but it handles coastal conditions way better in my experience.
"Ever tried scrubbing algae off shingles on a ladder in 90-degree heat? Not exactly my idea of a relaxing weekend."
Haha, this hits way too close to home. Last summer, my brother-in-law roped me into helping him clean algae off his beach house roof. Thought it'd be a quick afternoon job, but nope...ended up spending the whole weekend sweating buckets and trying not to slip off the ladder. You're right about the darker shingles too—his were charcoal-colored, and it seemed like every speck of algae was highlighted.
I've been thinking about metal roofing for our own renovation project, actually. But the upfront cost is definitely making me hesitate. I've heard good things about durability and how well it handles coastal weather, but does anyone know if the noise factor during heavy rains is really as bad as some people say? I mean, I love the sound of rain, but not sure I'd love feeling like I'm sleeping inside a drum every stormy night.
The zinc or copper strips are interesting—I hadn't considered that before. Do they blend in pretty well visually, or is it obvious you've got metal strips running along your roof ridge? I'm aiming for something that doesn't scream "hey look, algae prevention happening here!" if you know what I mean.
Honestly, budgeting for this renovation has been trickier than expected. Every time I think I've accounted for everything, something else pops up—like special shingles or metal roofs or algae-prevention strips. It's like a never-ending rabbit hole...
