Materials that hold up by the sea: what to choose in the Canary Islands
Living by the sea takes its toll on materials: salt in the air, humidity almost all year round and plenty of sun. A well-chosen material lasts for decades; the same poorly chosen piece of furniture falls apart in two summers.
Woods for terraces and porches
Some woods withstand outdoor conditions on their own, while others need constant treatment. For outdoor use it's always worth sticking with the former.
- Teak and iroko: very stable, with their own oils that protect them. Left untreated, they take on that lovely silver-grey tone; with oil they keep their honey colour.
- Ipe and cumaru: very dense woods, perfect for terrace flooring.
- Factory-treated woods (thermally modified or acetylated): a good sustainable alternative that barely moves with humidity.
- Treated pine: the economical option, but it needs maintenance from time to time.
Indoors, the problem isn't fungus but the wood swelling and shrinking. That's why we always leave expansion joints in wooden floors and avoid boards with exposed edges in bathroom and kitchen furniture.
Metals: not all stainless steel is the same
Many people buy 'stainless steel' and two years later see little rust spots appear. The reason is that there are several types: the most common one is fine for indoors, but near the sea you need what's known as AISI 316, which contains an extra element that protects it from salt air. It's worth asking about it before buying fittings or screws.
- Anodised or marine-grade lacquered aluminium: the best choice for windows and terrace furniture.
- AISI 316 stainless steel for screws, fittings and visible profiles.
- Avoid unpainted, non-galvanised iron and unlacquered brass outdoors.
- Rinse with fresh water two or three times a year. It's the simplest maintenance step, and the most overlooked.
Fabrics: no fading, no stiffening
On the spec sheet of any good fabric you'll find two figures that tell you whether it will last: one measures how much rubbing it withstands and the other how much sun it withstands without losing colour.
- Abrasion resistance (Martindale): below 15,000 it's decorative only; between 25,000 and 40,000 it holds up to a family's daily use; above that, very heavy use.
- Sun resistance: rated from 1 to 8. For a very sunny room or for outdoor use, look for 6 or above.
Linen and cotton feel wonderful to the touch, but they lose colour in direct sun. On south-facing terraces and sunrooms we use outdoor fabrics, which wash easily and don't stiffen with humidity.
Flooring and countertops
- Porcelain tile: absorbs very little water, doesn't stain, and is the safest option near the sea.
- In bathrooms and outdoor areas, always insist on a slip-resistant floor: it's required by regulation and it avoids nasty falls.
- Marble and some natural stones are porous and need sealing periodically. In coastal kitchens, granite or porcelain require less upkeep.
Ventilation: the invisible material
No material can save a poorly ventilated home. Trapped humidity is the number one cause of stains and mould. Before deciding on finishes we always check the vents, the bathroom and kitchen extractors, and the cold spots in the home: that's what saves you from having to repaint every couple of years.
Near the sea, choosing a good fitting or fabric isn't a technical whim: it's the difference between a home that ages well and one that has to be redone.
