"Copper strips can be effective, but their performance depends heavily on roof pitch, local humidity, and even the type of shingles you have."
That's been my experience too. I've seen copper strips do wonders on steep roofs around here, especially in places with heavier rainfall. But in drier climates or flatter roofs, they just don't seem to deliver the same punch. Sprays are definitely more predictable overall.
One thing I've wondered about though—has anyone noticed if the type of shingle (asphalt vs. architectural) significantly impacts how well these treatments work? I've mostly dealt with asphalt shingles, but recently a homeowner with architectural shingles asked me about it, and I realized I didn't have enough firsthand info to give a solid answer...
I've mostly worked with architectural shingles, and honestly, copper strips have been pretty hit-or-miss for me. Had one job last year—steep roof, plenty of rain, figured it'd be a slam dunk. Nope... barely made a dent. Ended up switching to a spray treatment, and that cleared things right up.
Funny thing is, another house just down the street (same shingles, same pitch) had copper strips installed years ago, and they're still spotless. Go figure. Makes me wonder if there's something else at play—maybe the exact shingle brand or even how much shade the roof gets?
Anyway, I haven't noticed a huge difference between asphalt and architectural shingles in terms of copper effectiveness. Seems more like luck of the draw sometimes. But sprays definitely seem more consistent across the board, at least in my experience.
Interesting observation about shade possibly affecting copper strip effectiveness. I'm new to this, but I've been researching roof maintenance routines lately. From what I've read, shade and moisture retention can really speed up algae growth, regardless of shingle type or copper strips. Maybe the neighbor's roof gets more sun exposure throughout the day? Now I'm wondering if anyone's noticed a significant difference after trimming back nearby trees or branches... could that help copper strips perform better?
Totally agree about the shade thing. When we first moved into our place, the roof was a mess—tons of algae and moss buildup. We had these huge branches hanging over the roof, keeping it damp and shady all day. After trimming them back, the difference was pretty noticeable. Not only did the roof dry out quicker after rain, but the copper strips we installed seemed to actually do their job better. Might not be a magic fix for everyone, but it definitely helped us out...
"After trimming them back, the difference was pretty noticeable."
Yeah, trimming back branches is a biggie—seen it save roofs more times than I can count. Copper strips are a solid move too, though they're not always a cure-all. Ever tried zinc strips? I've seen them work wonders in some situations, but honestly, results seem to vary a lot. Curious if anyone's had noticeably better luck with one metal over the other...
