Vinyl's been decent for me too, but honestly, fiberglass does seem a bit overhyped. My uncle lives right on the beach and installed fiberglass windows about 8 years ago—yeah, they're holding up fine, but nothing dramatically better than my vinyl ones. I think regular maintenance (like your rinsing routine) makes a bigger difference than the material itself. And you're right about aluminum...my neighbor's frames look like they've been through a war zone after just three summers, lol.
- Agree on fiberglass being a bit overrated. Installed some myself about 6 yrs ago—solid, but not a miracle.
- Vinyl's held up surprisingly well for me too, even with salty air. Regular rinsing and occasional silicone spray on hinges makes a noticeable difference.
- Aluminum...yeah, learned that lesson the hard way. Had to replace mine after just four years—looked like they'd aged decades.
- Honestly, good maintenance beats fancy materials most days. Sounds like you're already on the right track with your routine.
"Honestly, good maintenance beats fancy materials most days."
Couldn't agree more. I've seen vinyl windows last decades near the coast, but only if they're cared for properly. A quick tip: every few months, give the frames a gentle wash with mild soap and water—nothing abrasive—and dry thoroughly. Also, don't forget to check weatherstripping annually; salty air can sneak in and degrade it quietly. Learned that one myself after a sneaky leak popped up...lesson learned the damp way, haha.
"salty air can sneak in and degrade it quietly."
Yep, sneaky's the word. I'd also recommend silicone lubricant on hinges and moving parts every now and then—salt corrosion loves metal bits. Learned that after my window crank seized up mid-storm...fun times.
You're spot-on about the silicone lubricant—it's a lifesaver for sure. I remember a client of mine who had these gorgeous aluminum windows installed right on the beachfront. Within a year, he called me up because half his hinges were sticking, handles were gritty, and one window wouldn't even budge. Turns out, he hadn't done any maintenance since installation. We joked that the salt air was quietly plotting its revenge.
Anyway, after we swapped out some of the badly corroded hardware, I advised him to switch to stainless steel fittings and vinyl frames for future replacements. Vinyl might not have the premium feel some folks want initially, but it's incredibly resistant to salty air and moisture. Fiberglass is another solid option—I've seen fiberglass windows hold up beautifully in coastal areas without fading or cracking.
One thing I'd add: don't overlook your screens. Standard aluminum screens can corrode surprisingly fast near saltwater environments. I've found fiberglass mesh screens hold up way better and save you from having to replace them every other season.
Also, just a friendly heads-up—wood frames look amazing, but unless you're ready for a serious maintenance commitment (regular sealing, painting, inspections), they'll give you headaches down the road. Had one homeowner insist on wooden frames despite my gentle warnings...two years later, he admitted defeat and switched to fiberglass.
Bottom line, whatever material you choose, regular maintenance is key. A few minutes spent cleaning off salt buildup every month or two goes a long way toward keeping everything working smoothly.
Interesting points about vinyl and fiberglass, but honestly, I've had aluminum frames for about three years now near the coast. With a bit of regular cleaning and silicone spray every few months, they've held up surprisingly well...maybe maintenance matters more than material choice?
"maybe maintenance matters more than material choice?"
That's a good point—regular upkeep can definitely stretch the lifespan of most materials. Have you noticed any corrosion spots yet, or has the silicone spray pretty much kept that at bay? Curious since I'm considering aluminum myself...
Maintenance definitely helps, but I'd argue material choice still plays a pretty significant role. Aluminum can hold up okay with regular silicone treatments, but in salty coastal environments, I've seen corrosion sneak in eventually—especially around hardware and joints. Personally, fiberglass or vinyl frames have seemed more resilient long-term without needing constant attention. Might be worth considering if you're looking to cut down on maintenance time...
Good points about fiberglass and vinyl—I’ve seen aluminum frames get pretty gnarly near the beach, even with regular care. Had a buddy swear by aluminum, spent weekends babying them with silicone sprays, only to see corrosion creep in anyway. Eventually he switched to vinyl and never looked back (or at least stopped complaining, haha). Fiberglass seems solid too, but vinyl’s definitely easier on the wallet. Either way, you're spot-on about material choice making life simpler in salty air.