If your home or business is near the sea in the Canary Islands, corrosion is your greatest enemy. Salt spray, humidity, and salt-laden wind attack any material. Choosing the right components multiplies your pergola’s lifespan.

The enemy: the marine environment

Near the coast (up to 1-2 km from the sea), the air contains salt particles that deposit on surfaces and accelerate corrosion. Additionally, high relative humidity keeps surfaces damp, worsening the problem.

Recommended materials

Aluminum with Qualicoat Seaside coating

The standard for marine environments. Aluminum itself doesn’t rust, but the coating must be marine-grade (Qualicoat Seaside class) to resist salt fog without blistering or peeling.

Make sure to request Qualicoat Seaside certification or equivalent.

AISI 316 stainless steel

All hardware and screws must be AISI 316 stainless steel (marine grade). AISI 304 (standard) is not sufficient on the coast: it corrodes in months.

Visual check: AISI 316 screws are non-magnetic; AISI 304 ones are magnetic.

Technical canvases with anti-fungal treatment

If your pergola uses canvas, it must be acrylic fabric with fungicide and anti-stain treatment. Brands like Sunbrella, Dickson, or Sattler offer fabrics specifically for marine environments.

Materials to avoid near the coast

Material	Why NOT to use on the coast
Basic galvanized steel	Galvanization sacrifices itself in 2-3 years
AISI 304 hardware	Corrodes in 1-2 years (rust stains)
Untreated wood	Rots in 3-5 years
Plastics without UV protection	Become brittle in months

Beachfront maintenance

Rinse the pergola with fresh water every 2-3 months (removes accumulated salt)
Inspect screws every 6 months
Apply marine lubricant to moving parts once a year

At Pergolas Canarias we know the challenges of the Canarian marine environment well. All our materials are coast-certified. Contact us.