Building along Perth’s coastline comes with its perks — ocean views, sea breeze, and that coastal lifestyle everyone wants. But for tradies and builders, it also means working with materials that can cop a beating from salt, sun, and sand. Choosing the right products and finishes from the start when building in coastal areas is what keeps a home looking good and standing strong for years.
Let’s break down what coastal homes are up against and what that means for your build.
Coastal Conditions You’ll Face
Salt
If you’ve worked anywhere near the coast, you know salt gets into everything. It’s in the air, the soil, and even the morning dew. Over time, that salty moisture can eat away at metals, corrode fittings, and break down paint and coatings. Once it sets in, repairs can get expensive fast — so prevention is key.
Sand
It’s not just the salt that’s the problem. Fine coastal sand gets whipped up by the wind and can act like sandpaper on exposed surfaces. Paintwork, glass, and decking can all wear down faster if not properly protected or maintained.
Sunlight
Perth’s famous sunshine is great for beach days, but brutal on building materials. Constant UV exposure can bleach paint, cause coatings to peel, and make some materials expand, crack or warp over time. Using UV-resistant finishes and lighter colours helps slow down the damage.
Red dirt
WA’s red dirt doesn’t stay in the outback. Strong winds can carry it into coastal suburbs, leaving stains and build-up on exteriors, cladding, and even window frames. Choosing materials that are easy to wash down makes a big difference in keeping homes looking sharp.
Materials Most Likely Affected by Coastal Conditions
Decking
The deck of your house will oftentimes be the first thing a guest notices, especially when it’s placed in the front of your home. Exposed to the elements, especially when it has no shade overhead, your decking will be weathered down by the coastal conditions of Perth.
Maintenance can be time-consuming and frequent for vulnerable materials like timber. This is because salt draws out moisture, making it dry, brittle, and prone to cracking. The sun and UV rays also tend to bleach out the natural colour of the wood and warp its structure.
As such, it’s recommended to go for highly durable composite materials, especially when building in coastal areas. It’s also essential to go for decking colours that can withstand WA & its coastal environment.
For a solid decking material for coastal areas, we recommend James Hardie’s HardieDeck System.
Made with fibre cement, it’s a great alternative to timber decking that requires minimal maintenance. It’s resistant to damage from moisture and termites, and is also non-combustible, making it an ideal choice for bushfire-prone areas. Being made with fibre cement, it’s also a UV-resistant decking with low thermal expansion, and is a great choice for a seaside decking resistant to salt.
External Walls & Cladding
Your home’s external walls are the first line of defence against the elements. They get hit with the sun, salt, and wind before anything else, so the materials you choose matter.
Timber cladding might look great, but it doesn’t love coastal conditions. Salt and moisture can cause discolouration, warping, and eventually rot. For coastal builds, it’s worth looking at engineered or cement-based alternatives that are built to last.
As external building materials for coastal homes go, you can’t go wrong with Nasahi External Walls.
Made from autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), they’ve got that solid concrete feel without the heavy weight. They’re quick to install, deliver excellent sound insulation, and are non-combustible — a big plus for bushfire-prone areas around Perth.
AAC itself isn’t naturally resistant to salt or UV, so the trick is in the coating. Use a high-quality UV- and salt-resistant finish to seal the surface. That’ll help prevent degradation and keep the exterior looking fresh for longer.
Paint
Paint takes a beating in coastal suburbs. Perth’s sun fades darker colours fast, while the salty air can trap moisture under the surface — leading to bubbling, peeling, and uneven finishes. Add in constant sand abrasion and the occasional layer of red dust, and even the best paint jobs can start looking tired.
For coastal builds:
- Stick with lighter, UV-resistant colours.
- Use high-quality exterior paint systems rated for marine or coastal exposure.
- Keep up with regular washing to stop salt and dirt from building up.
It’s a simple bit of maintenance that keeps the home looking newer for longer.
Exposed metal elements
Coastal air and metal don’t mix well. Whether it’s screws, gutters, handrails or fixings, anything metal that’s left exposed will rust faster near the beach. That’s thanks to the mix of moisture, salt, and sun working together to corrode the surface.
To keep corrosion at bay:
- Use stainless steel or galvanised fittings wherever possible.
- Apply protective coatings or sealants to exposed metals.
- Rinse down fixtures regularly if you’re within a few kilometres of the coast.
A bit of upfront care goes a long way in avoiding costly repairs or replacements later.
How to Protect Your Home
Building near the coast isn’t just about great views — it’s about planning for the elements from day one. Perth’s mix of salt, wind, sun and red dirt will test even the toughest builds, so the materials and finishes you choose matter.
A few key takeaways for tradies and builders:
- Choose cladding systems that are light, durable, and backed by protective coatings. Products like Nasahi AAC panels offer strength and versatility when sealed properly.
- Go for marine-grade paints and sealants designed for UV and salt exposure.
- Use corrosion-resistant metals for all fixings, gutters and trims.
- Stay on top of maintenance — regular rinses and inspections keep small issues from turning into big jobs.
The coastal environment is tough, but with the right prep and materials, your builds don’t just survive — they last.
Decking Maintenance
Upkeep on your decking depends on its material. Composite decking is low-maintenance and only needs regular sweeping, without any oil needed. For timber decking, regularly sweep, mop, and apply oil as needed, especially after using any cleaning chemicals, as it strips away the previously applied oil. Using cleaning chemicals on timber decking is only recommended every two to three years.
External Walls & Paint Maintenance
Cladding of any type should be inspected twice a year for any damage, and cleaned right after with an appropriate cleaner suited for your cladding’s material, be it plastic, wood, metal, etc.
Exterior paint can be easily maintained by cleaning with mild soap. Do this twice a year to maintain its look, and hose it down after a heavy storm for any splattered dirt and grime.
Exterior Fixtures Maintenance
Wiping down metal fixtures is most of the care it will need, but applying protective coating, like paint, wax, or lacquer, will help it last longer.
Where to Buy Building Materials for Coastal Homes
If you’re building a new house or renovating your existing Perth home and are in need of building materials, make Westgyp Building Supplies your first stop for your construction needs. We have a wide range of building materials for coastal homes from trusted and reliable brands for you to choose from. Visit us at 39 Ledgar Road, Balcatta, so we can help you construct home buildings in coastal areas that can remain durable for decades to come.