Funny you mention composite boards—I helped a friend redo her little beach cottage garden last year, and she swore by them after her old beds basically crumbled in two seasons. The upfront cost stung, but now she just hoses them off and they look brand new. I do think it’s worth splurging on the stuff that’ll get battered by salt and sand. For walkways, we tried pea gravel once and it was a mess... ended up tracking half of it inside. Pavers on a gravel base have held up way better, even if they took more work to install. Sometimes it’s just about picking your battles with the elements, right?
Sometimes it’s just about picking your battles with the elements, right?
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen folks try to save a few bucks with untreated wood or cheap gravel, and it’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck—especially near the ocean. Salt air is relentless. Composite boards are pricey up front, but you’re basically buying yourself a few years of not having to rebuild everything. As for pea gravel, I learned that lesson the hard way too... spent half a summer sweeping rocks out of my mudroom. Pavers are a pain to install but way less maintenance in the long run. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and go with what’ll last, even if it means more work (and money) at the start.
Title: Budgeting for a Beach House Reno—Don’t Skimp Where It Hurts
I’ve watched more than one client try to “outsmart” the ocean, and it never ends well. One couple insisted on regular drywall in their entryway because it was cheaper, and within a year, the humidity had it bubbling and peeling like old wallpaper. Ended up costing them double to rip it out and redo with moisture-resistant board. Lesson learned: the ocean always wins.
I get the temptation to cut corners, especially when you see those price tags on marine-grade hardware or composite decking. But honestly, I’ve seen what happens when people go cheap on the wrong things—door hinges rusting shut, cabinet pulls corroding, floors warping. It’s not just about looks, either. You end up spending your weekends fixing stuff instead of actually enjoying the place.
One thing I always tell people: budget extra for finishes and fixtures that can handle salt air and sand. Stainless steel everything, tile over wood where you can get away with it, and don’t even think about carpet unless you love vacuuming up sand for eternity. And if you’re redoing windows or doors, splurge on hurricane-rated ones. It’s a pain upfront but you’ll thank yourself during storm season.
Honestly, I’d rather see someone scale back on square footage or fancy appliances than skimp on the bones of the place. You can always upgrade a fridge later, but replacing rotted subfloor is a nightmare.
If you’re trying to figure out numbers, I’d say plan for at least 20-30% more than an inland reno just to cover all the “coastal tax” stuff—better materials, extra labor for weatherproofing, that kind of thing. It stings at first but saves so much hassle (and money) down the line.
And if you’re redoing windows or doors, splurge on hurricane-rated ones.
Couldn’t agree more with “the ocean always wins.” I’d even push it further—if you’re already spending extra on durable materials, why not look at eco-friendly options? Recycled composite decking lasts forever and doesn’t leach chemicals into the sand. And for insulation, closed-cell spray foam is pricey but keeps moisture out and your energy bills down. Sometimes the green choices are actually the most practical at the beach.
Sometimes the green choices are actually the most practical at the beach.
That’s spot on, but I’ll admit—closed-cell spray foam is a tough sell for some budgets. It works, though. I’ve seen regular insulation just rot away after a few salty seasons. If you’re redoing decking, composite is a no-brainer, but I’d watch out for brands—some get slippery when wet. The eco stuff’s worth it in the long run, but man, those upfront costs can sting.
