Sometimes the old-school options hold up better than the fancy new stuff, honestly.
That’s been my experience too, especially with beach houses. I once specified a “next-gen” composite siding for a client—looked amazing at install, but after two hurricane seasons, it was already showing wear. Hardie board isn’t perfect, but it’s predictable. For interiors, I’ve seen LVP curl near sliders, even with all the UV-resistant marketing. Sometimes the tried-and-true just makes more sense, especially when salt air’s involved.
Budgeting for a beach house renovation is tricky, especially with materials that don’t always live up to the hype. I’ve found it’s wise to pad your budget for unexpected repairs—salt air seems to find every weak spot. For exterior work, I’d lean toward materials with a proven track record, even if they’re not the trendiest. And don’t underestimate labor costs; coastal areas can be pricier. When I started, I thought I could get by with $100 per square foot, but it crept closer to $150 once I factored in hurricane-rated windows and corrosion-resistant fasteners. It adds up fast, but cutting corners usually costs more in the long run.
Funny you mention the $100 per square foot—been there, done that, and my wallet still hasn’t forgiven me.
—couldn’t agree more. I once tried to save a few bucks on cheaper decking, and within a year, it looked like driftwood. In my experience, anything labeled “marine grade” is worth a second look, even if it makes you wince at checkout. Labor’s a wild card too... I’ve had bids swing 30% just depending on the season.“salt air seems to find every weak spot”
That $100 per square foot number really does sneak up on you, huh? I’ve been shocked at how fast “just a few upgrades” add up, especially with anything exposed to the ocean. Did you notice any difference in labor costs if you scheduled off-season? I keep hearing mixed things about that. And yeah, “marine grade” sounds expensive until you see what salt air does to the cheap stuff...
That $100/sq ft is just the starting line, honestly. I did a place last year and thought I was being smart by picking “weather-resistant” stuff, but the ocean air laughed at me—had to redo half the deck boards within 18 months. As for labor, I’ve tried scheduling off-season a couple times. Sometimes you get a small break, but if there’s a big job in town or a storm just rolled through, forget it. The best crews stay busy year-round. And yeah, marine grade hardware is pricey, but replacing rusted-out hinges every year is worse.
