Funny you mention the condensation—my neighbor’s had that exact issue, and he blames it on the salty air too. I’m with you on the composite frames making a bigger difference than expected, but in my case, double glazing was what really cut down the noise. Triple-pane sounded tempting, but honestly, for our mild winters I couldn’t justify the price hike. Still, I do wish window companies would figure out a way to make those seals last longer near the ocean... everything out here seems to age in dog years.
I hear you on the seals—mine started failing about five years in, and I’m not even right on the water. I did a bunch of research into marine-grade hardware, but it gets pricey fast. Have you ever tried any of those anti-corrosion sprays, or is that just snake oil?
Honestly, those anti-corrosion sprays have their place, but I wouldn’t count on them as a long-term fix for window seals. I’ve tested a couple brands over the years—mostly on hardware and fasteners, not the seals themselves. They can help slow down the surface rust on metal latches or hinges, but once the seal material starts breaking down, there’s not much a spray can do. The real issue is usually UV exposure and the quality of the original gasket material, not just salt or moisture in the air.
Marine-grade hardware does cost more, yeah, but sometimes it’s just about picking your battles. On my own place, I swapped out a few key pieces (like the operators and locks) for stainless when I started seeing pitting. For the seals, I ended up replacing them with silicone-based ones—they hold up better than rubber in coastal climates, even a few miles inland.
If you’re set on sprays, just make sure they’re safe for whatever material you’re using them on. Some can actually mess with plastics or finishes if you’re not careful.