No-one knows more than us about the damaging effects the weather can have on your home exterior, but what about if you own a property by the sea? The outside of your home has to not only look good all year round, but it also has a more important function in keeping you and your family warm, safe and dry.

People often choose to live in these waterside homes for the great view. But we all know this sea view comes with a salty price – constant exposures to sea wind, rain and salt spray corrosion. So, is this sea view really worth sacrificing it all? Here’s a deeper look at the impact on your home and what you can do to protect them from sea corrosion.

How bad can it get?

Depending on your proximity from the beach or the sea, you can expect sand and seawater to get blasted towards your home. This can mean corrosion and weather stripping of your metal home furnishings, including window grilles and doors. With the high humidity in Spain, metal corrosion will be at its best performance. 

In extreme cases, the wind can even strip the paints off your walls and with the rain, it can easily make your home feel damp, and once water enters any small defect (e.g. cracks on your wall), you might end up with molds everywhere. 

How can we protect our homes from these salty “gifts” from the sea?

Tip #1: Protect your metals

At the very least, check with your renovator on how to get doors and windows with better weather-stripping so they are sealed against the elements. And, whenever you see an exposed metal surface, always act quickly to cover it up to avoid further corrosion. There are many products out there that can help slow down rusting of metal surfaces or help you repair the rusting areas. Always have it within reach, because you need to act faster than the sea!

Tip #2: Use high-performance paint

Using normal paint for your walls may not be a good idea since the wind can reduce the lifetime by half. Instead, opt for high-performance masonry coatings that are specifically designed for sea-front homes. This should save you the trouble of repainting your home every now and then. In Decoramar Pinturas we know exactly which paint use for this type of houses.

Tip #3: Invest in better windows

Where possible, opt for a casement window (windows that swing open & close) – the wind forces the window to shut even tighter, reducing the impact on the insides of your home. If the wind against your windows is strong, check with your renovator if he can install impact-rated windows. Of course, the easiest trick is to get an opaque layer of the curtain that is always drawn down, to dampen the impact of the sea breeze while still enjoying the sunshine.

Tip #4: Choose the right materials for your home interiors

If you notice, in many photos of sea facing homes, the floors are wooden. Simply because sea facing homes tend to be cooler. To prevent your feet from getting cold all the time, wood is a good choice especially since it is highly scratch resistant, and has less porous surface. But wood on its own can warp or decay if exposed to moisture constantly. So, opt for pressure treated wood that would last longer. For warmer countries like Spain, tiles (e.g. Porcelain) seem to be more popular especially because of its smooth and cold feel under your bare feet. It is generally water resistant and durable because of its high density (but do note that a higher density also means it is harder to install.

Do remember that the impact of the sea is not felt immediately. There is a honeymoon period before the effect starts to take place. And by then, it would be too late for you to slow down the impact. So, it is always best to take precaution before the actual rusting and corrosion happens.