Humid, salt air can be troublesome.  But following are some tips for avoiding problems:

Windows, sliding screen & glass doors -   Frames come in aluminum (which last 15-20 years if kept clean), vinyl, or fiberglass (the most durable, but more expensive).  Click here for local dealers.  All are also dealers for Milgard Windows, which has some good information on window replacement.

Good news:  Vinyl window frames (low cost and durable) were not previously available in dark brown (only lighter colors, because dark vinyl fades), but there are new alternatives where they have applied a dark coating or layer to the vinyl.  Dixieline carries a good product from American Integrity (Estate Series 500, dark brown color "Sierra"), or click here for information on Vinyl Masters).  The question is whether the dark brown layer will fade, chip, peel, etc.

For replacing the rollers under the sliding doors, there are zinc di-chromide ones, which rust but may be the only ones available in the hardware stores, and there are stainless steel ones (which are much better, Vinyl Master's uses).  One brand of stainless steel rollers is Sugatsune (click here to see their local dealers).

Washing & drying machines - To avoid dryer venting concerns (including hazards and outside appearance), it is highly recommended that self-venting "condensing clothes dryers" be used (the hot exhaust air goes into a chamber where it condenses into water that goes down the drain).

There are "lint-trap" kits available at hardware stores (such as at Dixieline: Deflect-o Hardware Supurr-Flex lint trap kit for $13.49), which are a container that you run the dryer hose into which catches most lint and condenses some water.  But these may not take enough water out of the hot moist air from the dryer, so the air going into the residence may cause your residence to be humid and contribute to mold/mildew.

The only other alternative is to run a big exhaust hose to a vent in an external wall (it is unsafe and mold-creating to exhaust the dryer air inside - click here for info), but this can be only done if the dryer if the hose does not exceed 6 feet long (or it would accumulate lint and cause a fire hazard).  Rigid metal vent tubing is recommended in the industry. This tubing is typically made of aluminum, which is economical and easy to install. The use of flexible plastic tubing and flexible metal tubing (which is made of metal rings held together with cloth and glue, both of which are flammable materials) is prohibited in most states.  Click here for more info on dryer exhausts, and here.

Mold - To minimize the possibility, keep all inside doors cracked open (or have vents installed in the closets), let some air in (take care if you install new windows or sliders which may be airproof), and let some of the good dry sunshine into your residence.  Also, keep things clean with anti-fungal cleaners,  keep the caulking in your bathroom(s) in good shape, and consider sqeegie'ing your shower after you are done.

Side Note:  Between this tip, which adds dry heat, the sunshine, and having a condo unit in the middle which is surrounded by other units on the sides, top, and bottom, we have never turned our heaters on!

Metal & salt air - They don't mix well.  Brass goes first (can be damaged within 6 months, and can turn totally black within a year), although the "Lifetime" coatings on some brass plumbing fixtures may withstand it longer (our Moen fixtures are looking "okay" after 3 years - but there are some spots/pitting and we probably wouldn't do brass next time).  Don't even try lamps with brass bases - get lamps with ceramic bases .  Steel and iron also do not do well (must be constantly painted and holes filled).  Aluminum and nickel/pewter seem to do the best, although aluminum pits and can be painted (but with special primer & paint).

Patio/balcony furniture - The salt air will get to steel or iron fast, regardless of their paint or coatings.  Plastic is cheap, and some of it looks good in the beginning, but it fades and stains within a year or so.  Cast aluminum furniture is the best (available for $300-400 and up for a table and 4 chairs from Home Depot, Costco.com, and Hauser Furniture – recommend the one on Morena Blvd, left at the Sea World exit).  Cast aluminum furniture lasts 15-20 years.   Fairly good quality tubular aluminum furniture is also available, which is lighter and less expensive (not the cheap beach-chair type, but you can tell it is not cast aluminum because it is lighter).   Click here to see the guidelines for what can be placed on the patios.

Barbeques - Although a great American tradition, they are not so great for coast and condo living.  They rust out fast (may last 2 years), soon do not look good (with or without a cover), and cooking on them causes noxious fumes to go into neighbor's units.  A surprisingly good substitute is the George Foreman grill, which is used on the kitchen countertop.  You will be amazed at how well it grills steaks, fish, vegetables, etc.  They are available in three sizes - the smallest is too small for two people, but the larger one is good, and there is also a "family size" one.