How close is close?
A house with its own seawall and a house a mile inland both count as coastal in casual conversation, but the exposure is very different. Salt spray, steady wind, and sandy soil are strongest right at the water and on open ground, and ease off behind hills, trees, and other buildings. When you reply to our confirmation email, a quick note on how near the water you are helps contractors picture the site.
Materials in salt air
Vinyl
Won't corrode or rot, and a garden hose handles most cleaning. Quality varies: thicker, UV-stabilized panels tend to hold their color better. Look closely at gate hardware and any metal reinforcement inside the posts. More about vinyl
Aluminum
Light, open, and resistant to rust, which makes it popular around pools and wherever a view matters. Its protection lives in the powder coat, so chips and scratches deserve a quick touch-up. More about aluminum
Wood
Still a classic shore look, especially cedar weathered to gray. It needs more care near the water: sealing, occasional board replacement, and corrosion-resistant fasteners. More about wood
Steel and chain-link
Galvanized or vinyl-coated chain-link can work near the coast, but uncoated steel and cut ends are prone to rust. Ask what coating is used and how cut edges are protected.
Hardware is where coastal fences fail first
Panels and pickets often outlast the hinges, latches, and screws holding them together. Stainless steel and hot-dip galvanized hardware generally resist salt better than plain or lightly plated steel. It's fair to ask every contractor exactly what they use and whether it matches the rest of the fence.
Wind
Solid six-foot panels on an open lot take a real beating in a nor'easter or a tropical storm. Semi-private designs with gaps between boards, or open styles like aluminum, let air pass. If you want full privacy anyway, ask how post depth, spacing, and footing will be handled for the exposure.
Sandy and wet soil
Beach sand and marshy ground don't grip posts the way firm soil does. Contractors may suggest deeper holes, concrete footings, or other approaches depending on the site. We're not in a position to recommend a method; this is a good question to compare across quotes.
Flood zones, dunes, and wetlands
Waterfront and near-shore properties can require approvals beyond an ordinary fence permit. Depending on the location, that may involve Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), your town's building and zoning offices, or both. Rules depend on the exact site, and we don't give legal or permitting advice. Before you commit to a design, call your town building office and ask what applies at your address.
Seasonal homes and rentals
- Owners often live elsewhere for much of the year. Give a phone number or email you'll actually check.
- Say whether a contractor can visit without you there, or whether you'd prefer to start with photos.
- If the house is rented in summer, mention any deadlines, such as having a pool enclosure done before the season.
Shoreline communities
Narragansett, South Kingstown, Westerly, Charlestown, North Kingstown, Jamestown, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton, Bristol, Warren, Barrington, East Greenwich, Warwick, and New Shoreham, plus inland neighbors like Exeter, Richmond, and Hopkinton. Requests from all of them are welcome.
Elsewhere in the state: Providence · Cranston · Warwick · Pawtucket