how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?

Yep, aluminum-clad wood is solid advice, especially near the ocean. Learned that lesson myself when I saw vinyl windows looking like a melted candle after just a few summers, haha... not exactly the beachy aesthetic I was going for. Better to cry once at the bill than every year after.

Good point on aluminum-clad wood windows, they're definitely more resilient. Curious though - anyone had experience with fiberglass frames near saltwater? Heard mixed things about durability and maintenance... wondering if they're worth considering for beach properties.

I've installed fiberglass frames at my folks' beach place about 6 years ago and they've held up surprisingly well. Salt air hasn't caused any noticeable corrosion or warping yet, and maintenance has been minimal - just the occasional rinse-down to remove salt buildup. But I have heard from neighbors that cheaper fiberglass options can fade or get chalky faster. Maybe brand quality makes a big difference here? Might be worth checking warranty specifics and UV resistance ratings before committing.

Totally agree about fiberglass quality making a difference. When we renovated our historic beach cottage, we went with a mid-range fiberglass brand after checking UV ratings and warranty details carefully. Four years in, they're still looking great - no chalkiness yet - but I do give them a quick wash every few months to keep salt buildup minimal. Definitely worth spending a bit more upfront to avoid headaches later...especially in coastal climates where the elements can be brutal.

Good call on fiberglass - I've flipped a couple coastal properties, and cheaper materials always end up costing more in maintenance down the road. Curious though, did you find the mid-range fiberglass held up well enough against storm debris or heavy winds? I've seen some higher-end brands advertise impact resistance, but never tested it myself. Wondering if it's worth the extra cost or just marketing hype...