I totally get what you mean about the cleaning—glass looks incredible right after you wipe it down, but it’s a magnet for water spots and dust. I’ve had to deal with that after every storm, and honestly, it gets old fast. One thing I’ve wondered about is how each material holds up over time, especially in areas with a lot of sun or near saltwater. Has anyone noticed fading or corrosion with aluminum, or does the powder coating really hold up as well as they claim?
I’ve had a few aluminum fences near the coast, and honestly, the powder coating’s been a mixed bag. One place looked great for years, another started bubbling after just two summers. Salt air’s a beast. Glass is a pain to clean, but at least it doesn’t pit or fade.
Honestly, I’ve seen glass fences hold up better than aluminum near the ocean, even with all the cleaning headaches. I get the appeal of aluminum—less wiping, less worrying about fingerprints—but I’ve watched too many clients regret it after a few years of salt spray. The bubbling and chipping just kill the look. Glass is a pain, sure, but at least you know what you’re dealing with: clean it, and it’s good as new. Aluminum’s a gamble if you’re close to the coast, in my experience.
I hear you on the salt spray—living in a 1920s place about three blocks from the water, I’ve seen what that ocean air does to metal. I actually went with aluminum when we first moved in, thinking it’d be low-maintenance, but after about four years, the finish started bubbling just like you said. Didn’t matter how much I rinsed it off or what kind of “marine grade” coating they promised. It just didn’t hold up.
Funny thing is, my neighbor has glass panels and yeah, he’s always out there with the squeegee, but his fence still looks basically new. I used to think glass was too modern for an old house like mine, but honestly, the aluminum ended up looking way worse once it started to corrode.
“The bubbling and chipping just kill the look.”
Couldn’t agree more. At least with glass, you know what you’re getting into—just gotta be ready to clean it. If I had to do it over again, I’d probably go glass too, even if it means more elbow grease.
I get why glass is tempting, especially when aluminum starts looking rough after a few seasons by the coast. But honestly, I think aluminum still has a place if you go about it right. The trick is in the prep and install, not just the material or the so-called “marine grade” label they slap on everything.
Here’s what worked for me on a flip we did last year, about six blocks from the ocean: We used powder-coated aluminum, but before install, we hit every cut edge and fastener with a zinc-rich primer. Then, after it was up, we did a clear sealer over the whole thing. Yeah, it’s a bit of a process, but two years in, it’s still looking sharp—no bubbling at all.
Glass does look killer, but the cleaning never ends, especially if you’ve got kids or a lot of wind kicking up debris. I guess for me, it’s about finding the right finish and not just relying on the factory coating. If you’re handy or can get a contractor who’ll do the extra steps, aluminum can still hold its own.
