Picture this: a little beach cottage, faded blue paint, wild seagrass out front. Every winter, the wind howls and salty spray hits the windows. Do you go for vinyl or aluminum frames? I keep hearing vinyl won’t rust but might warp, while aluminum survives storms but gets that weird pitting from the salt. Anyone else wrestled with this dilemma or got a story about windows gone wrong (or right) near the ocean?
Had this exact debate with myself a couple years back. My place is about 200 yards from the beach, and the salt air is relentless. Ended up going with vinyl after the original aluminum frames started pitting and sticking—looked like someone sprinkled them with pepper. Vinyl’s held up better than I expected, though there’s a bit of flex in the hottest months. Trick is getting good quality vinyl, not the bargain stuff. If you go cheap, they’ll warp for sure. I do miss the slim profile of the old aluminum, but not enough to go back.
Vinyl’s held up better than I expected, though there’s a bit of flex in the hottest months.
I get what you mean about missing the slim aluminum frames—vinyl can look a little chunky by comparison. But the corrosion from salt air is brutal, and once pitting sets in, it’s almost impossible to reverse. I’ve had similar issues here, just a block from the water. Went with high-end vinyl too after my old sliders started sticking every time we got a heavy mist.
One thing I’ve noticed: even with better vinyl, there’s still some discoloration over time. Not as bad as the peppered aluminum look you mentioned, but a sort of dullness, especially on the sunniest side of the house. Have you found any way to keep them from getting that chalky finish? I’ve tried a few different cleaners but nothing really brings back that new look.
Also curious if anyone’s tried fiberglass frames this close to the ocean. They’re supposed to be more stable in heat and don’t corrode like aluminum, but I haven’t seen many around here. Are they worth the extra cost, or is it just marketing hype?
One thing I’ve noticed: even with better vinyl, there’s still some discoloration over time. Not as bad as the peppered aluminum look you mentioned, but a sort of dullness, especially on the sunniest side of the house.
That chalky finish drives me nuts too. I’ve tried the “vinyl restorer” products—some help a bit, but nothing really lasts through the summer. I read that UV-protectant sprays can slow it down, but you have to reapply every few months. About fiberglass: I looked into it last year. The material itself holds up, but the price is steep and not every installer has much experience with it. I’m not convinced the longevity justifies the cost unless you really hate maintenance.
About fiberglass: I looked into it last year.
I’ve noticed the same thing with vinyl—ours turned kind of grayish after a few years, especially on the side that gets hammered by wind and sun. Tried those restorer sprays too, but honestly, they just made the frames slippery for a while. Aluminum’s pitting bugs me less than the chalky vinyl look, but it’s definitely a trade-off. Fiberglass sounds great, but yeah, the price tag made me wince. Maybe there’s just no perfect answer for salty air unless you’re willing to baby your windows every season.
Maybe there’s just no perfect answer for salty air unless you’re willing to baby your windows every season.
That really sums it up. Coastal environments are rough on everything, but windows seem to take the brunt of it. I’ve seen vinyl frames go chalky or even start to warp a bit, especially on the south-facing sides. The restorer sprays you mentioned do give a temporary facelift, but like you said, it’s mostly cosmetic and doesn’t address the underlying wear.
Aluminum’s pitting is a pain, but at least it doesn’t look as tired as faded vinyl. I’ve had a few clients who went all-in on fiberglass—pricey for sure, but they’re holding up better than anything else so far. The composite core really resists the salt and UV, but I get that not everyone wants to shell out that kind of money.
There’s always the option of regular rinsing and maintenance, but that’s a big ask if you’ve got a bunch of windows. Sometimes I wonder if storm shutters are worth it just for the added protection, even if it feels a bit old-school.
Sometimes I wonder if storm shutters are worth it just for the added protection, even if it feels a bit old-school.
I hear you on that—storm shutters might not be the prettiest, but they do add a layer of peace of mind, especially when the weather really kicks up. I've noticed too that "low-maintenance" is kind of a myth near the ocean... everything just takes more effort. It's encouraging to hear fiberglass is holding up well, though. At the end of the day, I guess it's all about picking your battles and what matters most to you—looks, budget, or just less hassle over time.
Totally agree about "low-maintenance" being a bit of a fantasy at the coast. I used to think vinyl windows would be set-and-forget, but salt air just eats away at everything eventually. Storm shutters might look clunky, but after one hurricane scare, I stopped caring about aesthetics so much... peace of mind wins.
That’s been my experience too—thought I could just pop in some vinyl windows and call it a day, but the salt air has other plans. I was all about the “clean lines” look at first, but after the first big storm warning, I’d have put up plywood if I had to. Storm shutters aren’t pretty, but I sleep way better knowing they’re there. Sometimes you just gotta pick practical over perfect, especially living this close to the water.
Funny how you think you’re making a smart upgrade, then the ocean air just laughs at you. I swapped out our old wood windows for “energy efficient” vinyl ones a couple years back—figured I’d save on bills and finally ditch the drafty winters. Well, the salt got to them faster than I expected. The seals started looking rough after just one season. I’m still not sure if it’s the salty breeze or just bad luck, but either way, I’m rethinking my strategy.
I totally get the appeal of clean lines and big glass, but I ended up adding those ugly-but-tough aluminum shutters. Not exactly the look I wanted, but my energy bills dropped once I started closing them up before storms. I guess sometimes you just have to accept that the weather’s in charge, not your Pinterest board.
Curious if anyone’s tried those hurricane-rated impact windows? They’re supposed to be tough and energy efficient, but I keep hearing mixed reviews about how they hold up long-term near the coast.