A house by the sea: what changes in maintenance

Salt makes both the cleaning interval and the choice of finish far more important.

In a coastal setting, surfaces are exposed to salt and moisture more often. Windows need regular rinsing and cleaning, with particular attention to tracks, components and points that are hard to reach.

From the start of the project we also look at the appropriate surface protection and at compatible components for the actual position of the building.

Salt does not eat aluminium the way it eats steel. It does settle on the surface, though, holds moisture and attacks where the protection is weakest: cuts, drillings, joints, fittings and every point the rain does not reach to wash clean — under eaves, on covered balconies. Four things genuinely help: rinsing with fresh water, the cheapest maintenance measure there is and the most neglected; fittings of a suitable grade, with A4 (AISI 316) stainless lasting clearly longer than A2; pre-anodising before painting; and avoiding contact between aluminium and steel, which in a salty environment produces galvanic corrosion.

What the salt does

Salt does not eat aluminium the way it eats steel. But it settles on the surface, holds moisture and attacks where the protection is weakest: cuts, drillings, joints, hardware, and anywhere the rain does not reach to wash it off — under overhangs, on covered balconies.

What actually helps

Rinsing with fresh water. The cheapest maintenance there is, and the most neglected.
Fasteners of the right grade. Near the sea, A4 stainless (AISI 316) lasts markedly longer than A2.
Pre-anodising before coating. It improves adhesion and corrosion behaviour in a demanding environment.
Avoiding contact between dissimilar metals. Aluminium in direct contact with steel, in a damp and salty environment, gives galvanic corrosion.

The powder class (Class 1 or Class 2) is about keeping colour and gloss, not about corrosion. Corrosion is decided by the pre-treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Does salt corrode aluminium?

Not the way it corrodes steel. It does settle on the surface, hold moisture and attack where the protection is weakest: cuts, drillings, joints and fittings.

What is the most effective measure?

Rinsing with fresh water — the cheapest maintenance measure there is, and the most neglected. It matters particularly at the points the rain does not reach to wash clean.

What fittings are needed near the sea?

A4 (AISI 316) stainless steel lasts clearly longer than A2. Direct contact between aluminium and steel is also avoided, since in a wet and salty environment it produces galvanic corrosion.