06-28-2012, 06:04 PM
We have been living across the street from and about 40 feet above the ocean for about two years now. When we chose our home designer we picked someone that was familiar with the environmental conditions on our area. He had many suggestions on materials to use to help our home to withstand the rigors of being near the sea. Long time residents of our neighborhood also shared many suggestions for us.
Even with using aluminum roofing, plastic trim, Hardiboard siding and some stainless steel hardware we still battle the salt. Our two year old vinyl screens have already been replaced as they turned out only to be vinyl clad steel, which rusted from the inside out. Our new refrigerator has been repaired twice. We are now big believers in extended warranties. My windows always need washing. We keep our television covered when not in use.
We live in a pretty sunny area with nice trade winds. I have noticed very few mold problems. Of course we are in the tsunami zone and have had to evacuate twice since we have lived here.
Like most things in life, living near the ocean is a trade off. Each morning when I awake and watch the sun rise over the ocean from my lanai, when I watch the fishing boats cruise by, when watching rainbows over the Pacific is my usual dinner entertainment, when I watch dolphins and whales play outside my front yard, I count my blessings and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Even with using aluminum roofing, plastic trim, Hardiboard siding and some stainless steel hardware we still battle the salt. Our two year old vinyl screens have already been replaced as they turned out only to be vinyl clad steel, which rusted from the inside out. Our new refrigerator has been repaired twice. We are now big believers in extended warranties. My windows always need washing. We keep our television covered when not in use.
We live in a pretty sunny area with nice trade winds. I have noticed very few mold problems. Of course we are in the tsunami zone and have had to evacuate twice since we have lived here.
Like most things in life, living near the ocean is a trade off. Each morning when I awake and watch the sun rise over the ocean from my lanai, when I watch the fishing boats cruise by, when watching rainbows over the Pacific is my usual dinner entertainment, when I watch dolphins and whales play outside my front yard, I count my blessings and can’t imagine living anywhere else.