I’ve actually had a few windows with vinyl wraps right on the coast—no real fogging between panes, but the corners did start peeling after two years. It was mostly cosmetic, but once the salt got under the wrap, it sped up the wear. Not a total fix, but it bought me some time while I saved up for proper replacements.
That’s actually a smart way to stretch things out. Vinyl wraps can be hit or miss near saltwater—once that edge starts lifting, it’s tough to stop the salt from sneaking in. Still, you got a couple years out of it, which isn’t nothing. I’ve seen folks try touch-up caulk at the seams, but honestly, it’s just delaying the inevitable. Holding off until you can budget for real replacements is usually the way to go. Coastal air just eats through shortcuts faster than you’d think.
I tried the caulking trick last year, thinking I could buy some time, but honestly, it just looked messy and didn’t last long. The salt air here is relentless—anything with a seam or edge is just asking for trouble. I’m leaning toward fiberglass windows when I finally bite the bullet. They’re pricier upfront, but I’ve read they hold up way better than vinyl or wood near the coast. Vinyl seemed like a good compromise at first, but after seeing how fast it started pitting and peeling, I’m not convinced it’s worth the hassle in salty environments.
I hear you on the vinyl—I swapped mine out after just a few years for pretty much the same reason. Salt air just eats them up way quicker than I expected. I went with fiberglass this time around. Not cheap, but honestly, they’re holding up way better so far. The frames don’t get that weird chalky look either, which is a bonus. Still gotta rinse them down every now and then, but it’s nothing like before.
Fiberglass does seem to be the way to go near the coast, especially with how brutal that salty air can get. I remember thinking vinyl would last forever, but nope—mine started pitting and turning yellow after just a couple seasons. Have you noticed any issues with the seals or hardware rusting at all? That’s been my biggest headache so far, even with supposedly “marine grade” stuff...
Yeah, the hardware’s always been the weak link for me, too. Even with stainless, I still get some surface rust if I don’t keep up with cleaning. The seals on my fiberglass units have held up better than the old vinyl ones, though. I switched to silicone-based gaskets and that’s made a difference—seems like the rubber ones just crack and let in moisture after a couple years. Still, nothing’s totally maintenance-free this close to the ocean...
That’s spot on about the hardware—honestly, even “marine grade” stuff can’t always keep up with the salt air. I’ve seen plenty of so-called stainless hinges and latches start pitting after a couple seasons if folks get lax on rinsing them down. Fiberglass frames have definitely outlasted vinyl at most of my coastal jobs, but I’ll admit, I’m still not convinced any window system is truly set-and-forget out here. Silicone gaskets are a big improvement over the old rubber, though. The only thing that’s really helped long-term for my clients is regular maintenance... tedious, but it beats replacing everything every few years.
Totally agree on the regular maintenance—skipping even a season can really set you back. I’ve noticed
but even fiberglass gets chalky after a while. Have you tried any powder-coated aluminum frames? I’ve seen them hold up decently, but the coatings can scratch and then it’s game over for corrosion. Curious if you’ve run into that too, or if there’s a trick to making them last.“Fiberglass frames have definitely outlasted vinyl at most of my coastal jobs”
I’ve actually got powder-coated aluminum on the back of my place, facing the water. They looked great for the first couple of years, but like you said, once I nicked one with a ladder, that spot started bubbling and corroding pretty quick.
—that’s been my experience too. I tried touching up with some spray enamel, but it never really blended in right. Honestly, I’m starting to think there’s no perfect window frame for salty air... just ones that fail slower than others.“the coatings can scratch and then it’s game over for corrosion”
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally convinced that it’s all downhill after the first scratch. When my powder-coated frames got dinged, I tried a different approach—cleaned the spot with rubbing alcohol, lightly sanded it, then used a marine-grade touch-up paint. It’s not invisible, but it’s held up a lot better than the regular spray enamel. Maybe it’s more about the prep and the kind of paint? Still, I do wonder if fiberglass or even uPVC might age better by the water... aluminum just seems to need constant babysitting.