I've tried silicone spray a couple times, but honestly, didn't notice much difference long-term. It seemed okay short-term, but I always worry about buildup attracting dirt and grime over time. You're onto something with aluminum frames though—mine are aluminum and the salt air has definitely done a number on them. Vinyl seems to hold up better around here, at least from what I've seen at neighbors' places... less corrosion headaches anyway.
I've had similar experiences with silicone sprays—short-lived fix at best. A few things I've learned living near the coast:
- Silicone sprays do attract dirt over time, especially with salt air. Ends up being more hassle than it's worth.
- Aluminum frames are tough to maintain here. Mine corroded badly after just a couple years, even with regular cleaning.
- Vinyl frames definitely seem to hold up better. Switched mine out about five years ago, and they've been pretty much maintenance-free since.
- If you're stuck with aluminum for now, try wiping them down regularly with freshwater to remove salt buildup. Tedious, but it helps slow corrosion.
- Also, check your drainage holes regularly. Salt and grime clogging those can cause water to pool and speed up corrosion.
Honestly, vinyl is probably your best long-term bet if you're tired of fighting the salt air battle.
"Aluminum frames are tough to maintain here. Mine corroded badly after just a couple years, even with regular cleaning."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself. Thought aluminum would be sturdy enough, but after two stormy winters, mine looked awful. Switched to vinyl last year—so far, zero regrets.
Interesting to hear vinyl's holding up well for you. I've been considering fiberglass frames myself—supposedly they're tougher than vinyl and resist corrosion better than aluminum. But I'm still skeptical about their long-term durability in our salty, humid climate. Has anyone here actually tried fiberglass windows near the coast? Curious if they're worth the extra investment or just marketing hype...
I've been looking into fiberglass windows myself, and from what I've gathered, their resistance to salt and humidity is generally solid due to the material's inert nature—definitely better than aluminum in coastal settings. But I've also read accounts of the finish fading or chalking after several years of harsh sun exposure. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider if aesthetics matter to you long-term. Curious if anyone's experienced this firsthand...
We put fiberglass windows in our beach house about 6 years ago, and honestly, they've held up pretty well overall. Salt and humidity haven't been an issue at all—way better than the aluminum frames we had before, which started corroding after just a couple of seasons. But yeah, you're right about the fading thing. Our windows get direct sun most of the day, and I've noticed the color isn't quite as vibrant as it used to be. It's not terrible or anything, just a bit duller and chalky-looking if you get up close.
Honestly though, I think it's a fair trade-off. I'd rather deal with a little fading than rust or corrosion. Plus, from a distance, you can't really tell anyway. If aesthetics are super important, maybe consider lighter colors—they seem to hide fading better. Just my two cents from personal experience...
Fiberglass sounds decent, but honestly, vinyl windows have been solid for me. Had them about 4 years now—no fading yet, and zero corrosion issues. Might be worth considering if fading bugs you that much.
Vinyl's been pretty good for me too, actually. Moved into my first place about two years ago—right near the coast—and the vinyl windows have held up surprisingly well through storms and salty air. I was worried about fading too, but so far, nothing noticeable. Fiberglass sounds nice, but honestly, vinyl's been solid enough that I haven't felt the need to upgrade yet. Maybe down the road if things change...but fingers crossed they don't anytime soon.
Vinyl's definitely solid for coastal spots, but I'd keep an eye on the seals around the edges. Had mine about five years now, and while the frames are fine, the seals started letting moisture in around year three. Easy fix, but something to watch for...