Salt, Sun & Style

The Realities of Maintaining a Coastal Property

The reality of salt, sun and wind is very real here — and yet, thanks to careful upkeep, this home remains guest-ready for every booking through False Bay Hideaways.

Coastal living is one of Cape Town’s greatest luxuries. Wide horizons, the sound of the ocean, and light that shifts with the tides make homes along False Bay and the Atlantic Seaboard feel like they’re perched at the edge of the world. Yet anyone who has owned property by the sea knows that paradise comes with its own set of challenges. Salt, sun and wind do not care how carefully a house was designed. Left unchecked, they will quietly wear away at even the finest finishes.

Salt is the most deceptive of the three. It settles invisibly on every exposed surface, working its way into hinges, locks and balustrades. Over time, it corrodes metal, bubbles paintwork and turns once-smooth mechanisms into stiff, grinding frustrations. Even marine-grade fittings, marketed as resistant to the sea air, are not immune without regular attention. A stainless steel handrail near the ocean may look indestructible, but without maintenance, it can pit and fail in just a few years. The damage is rarely dramatic in the moment—it builds slowly, until suddenly a door no longer closes, or a railing feels loose.

The sun is more immediate in its impact. Cape Town’s light is brilliant, but the same UV rays that give us endless blue skies also strip colour and strength from materials. Decking loses its rich tone, timber fades to grey, fabrics bleach, and plastics grow brittle. Even glazing systems suffer, as seals break down under constant exposure. The effect is subtle at first: a cushion that looks tired, a deck that seems older than it is. But collectively, the loss of freshness undermines the sense of luxury. Guests may not know why a property feels worn—they just sense it.

Then there is the wind, often overlooked until it makes its presence felt. In False Bay, it is a constant companion, carrying salt deep into cracks and pushing against every joint and fixing. Roof tiles lift, paint films peel, and anything not secured properly becomes a projectile. Pergolas, outdoor furniture and glass balustrades are especially vulnerable. The wind does not arrive once and leave; it grinds away day after day, amplifying the effects of salt and sun and testing the integrity of every detail.

Step out the front door and you’re practically in the ocean. This False Bay Hideaways property, sits right on the shoreline — a reminder of why the sea is both the greatest luxury and the greatest test for coastal homes

There are always giveaways if you know where to look. Five places nearly every coastal property shows its first cracks:

First, hinges and locks. When a front door starts to grind or a sliding door no longer glides, it’s usually salt building up in the mechanisms. What seems like a small annoyance is actually corrosion at work.

Second, balustrades and railings. If they feel the slightest bit loose, it means the fixings are already compromised. The sea air creeps into joints and welds long before it shows on the surface.

Third, timber decking. Coastal decks fade fast, but uneven greying or early splintering signals that UV and moisture are breaking down the fibres faster than they should.

Fourth, window frames and seals. A little discolouration or hairline crack looks harmless, but once seals fail, the damage moves quickly, letting in both water and wind.

Finally, exterior paintwork—especially along trims and edges. These are the spots where salt settles first, and once paint starts to blister or peel, the elements have an open invitation to do more serious damage beneath.

If you notice any of these signs, the elements have already started to win. That doesn’t mean disaster is around the corner, but it does mean the house is whispering for attention. The trick is to listen early—before whispers turn into expensive repairs.

None of this means coastal living requires compromise. The best properties along the shoreline combine style with resilience, using finishes that celebrate beauty but are chosen with longevity in mind. Timber decks can be treated and sealed without losing their warmth. Paint systems can be specified to withstand salt and UV. Metals can be finished or coated so they resist corrosion. The key is not to fight the environment but to anticipate it—to design, build and maintain with the elements in mind.

At ALGN, we see the difference a planned approach makes. Properties that receive consistent care not only look better; they retain their value and remain guest-ready season after season. Maintenance is never just about fixing what is broken. It is about protecting what exists, extending the life of materials, and ensuring that when someone walks through the door, the home feels as polished and considered as the day it was built.

Salt, sun and wind will always be part of coastal life. The question is whether they are allowed to diminish a property, or whether their presence is acknowledged and met with the right materials, coatings and care. With foresight and expertise, the ocean becomes a backdrop, not a threat. That is the balance that keeps Cape Town’s coastal homes not just standing, but shining.