Moved to a coastal town last year, and one thing I learned real quick is that the salty air and humidity can seriously mess up your windows. My neighbor warned me about it, but I kinda shrugged it off at first. Big mistake. Within months, my wooden window frames started swelling and paint peeling...ugh, total mess.
Anyway, after some trial and error (and a bit of googling), I found out vinyl and fiberglass windows hold up way better in these conditions. Vinyl's pretty affordable and doesn't warp or rot, but fiberglass seems even tougher—though pricier. Ended up going with vinyl myself, and so far it's been holding up great.
Curious if anyone else has tips or maybe other materials they've tried that worked out well. Or maybe some DIY hacks to protect windows from the salty air? I'm all ears.
- Vinyl's decent, but I've seen it discolor and get brittle after a few years in heavy sun and salt exposure.
- Aluminum frames with marine-grade powder coating are another solid option. They're pricier than vinyl but hold up really well long-term.
- Had aluminum windows installed at my folks' beach house about 8 years ago—still look practically new, no corrosion or fading yet.
- DIY-wise, regular rinsing with fresh water helps a ton. Just hose 'em down every couple weeks to remove salt buildup.
- Also, silicone spray lubricant on moving parts (hinges, locks) prevents sticking and rust.
- Honestly, fiberglass seems overkill for most residential setups unless you're right on the shoreline. Aluminum or even quality vinyl usually does the trick without breaking the bank.