Living near the coast is the best—until salt air and humidity start taking a toll on your doors and hardware. Wind-blown salt spray can accelerate corrosion on metal connectors and fasteners, and humidity keeps everything “wet” longer.
Here’s a plain-English guide to what fails first, what you can do at home or at your business, and when it’s time to schedule service.
Why coastal environments are tougher on hardware
Salt deposits + moisture speed up the corrosion process. Over time you’ll see:
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rusty screws/hinges/strike plates
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sticking latches and deadbolts
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sagging doors that stop latching cleanly
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closers and exit devices that feel “off”
Many manufacturers recommend more frequent inspection/cleaning in marine or corrosive environments.
What fails first (and how to spot it)1) Screws and strike plates loosen or corrode
Signs: strike plate wiggles, screws won’t tighten, latch hits the plate, shiny scrape marks.
Why it matters: poor latching is both a security issue and a wear issue.
Do now: tighten screws and check the door latches without pushing/pulling.
2) Hinges start to bind or sag
Signs: door rubs the frame, you have to lift/pull to lock, uneven gaps around the door.
Do now: tighten hinge screws; if the door still sags, it may need alignment.
3) Cylinders get gritty (sand + dust + “wrong lube”)
Coastal air carries fine grit. Oil-based products can trap dust and create a paste over time, which is why many lock/door care guides recommend lock spray instead of oil/grease for cylinders.
Some commercial lock guidance also references graphite for cylinder lubrication.
Rule of thumb: don’t over-lubricate—use the right product sparingly.
4) Commercial doors “almost close” (and that’s a problem)
Signs: closer doesn’t fully latch the door, door slams, panic bar feels sticky, door bounces.
Why it matters: a door that doesn’t consistently close and latch is an access-control failure.
The 5-minute coastal prevention routine (home or business)
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Rinse/wipe exposed metal occasionally (especially after big wind events) to remove salt residue.
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Tighten what’s loose (handles, strikes, hinge screws).
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Test latching: door should close and latch with normal pressure.
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Lubricate correctly (sparingly; avoid gumming up cylinders).
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Schedule more frequent checks for doors exposed to wind/rain/salt.
Materials note: “marine-grade” really matters
Not all metals handle chlorides equally. For example, 316 stainless is commonly chosen for better resistance in salt/chloride environments compared to 304.
If you’re replacing exterior hardware near the coast, material choice is worth discussing.
Don’t forget safes in coastal homes
Coastal humidity can affect safe contents (documents, electronics). Consider:
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placement (away from damp areas)
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bolt-down and stability
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simple humidity control options
When to call a pro (save time + prevent damage)
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you must push/pull hard to lock
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deadbolt binds or won’t extend smoothly
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screws won’t tighten (stripped holes)
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commercial doors aren’t reliably latching
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corrosion is visible on critical hardware
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