I’ve seen a lot of creative snow-blocking setups over the years—garden edging, plywood, even old tarps bungeed around the base. It’s funny how we all end up improvising just to keep those mushroom vents from getting buried. Honestly, I’ve tried a few “official” vent covers, but most either restrict airflow or just get knocked off by the wind. At this point, I just keep a broom handy and accept that keeping the vents clear is part of my winter routine. Not glamorous, but it works... mostly.
I’ve had those mushroom vents on my shed for about ten years now. Honestly, I’ve tried a few of the “official” covers too, and I agree—they either block too much air or just don’t stay put when the wind picks up. I ended up making a little plywood shield that sits a few inches away from the vent, just enough to keep the worst of the snow off but still let air move. Not perfect, but it’s held up better than anything else I’ve tried. Clearing them off with a broom is still part of my winter routine, though... seems like there’s no real way around it.
That plywood shield idea sounds like something I’d try—cheap, easy, and you don’t feel bad when it gets beat up. I tried cutting up an old plastic storage bin once and zip-tying it over the vent... held up okay, but the wind made it flap around like crazy. Ever try anything with mesh or screen material to keep the snow out but not block air? I keep wondering if that’d just freeze up solid anyway.
Ever try anything with mesh or screen material to keep the snow out but not block air? I keep wondering if that’d just freeze up solid anyway.
Honestly, I’ve seen mesh get clogged up after a couple wet snows. Once it ices over, airflow’s pretty much gone and you’re back to square one. Plywood’s ugly but at least you know what you’re dealing with—screen just gives a false sense of security in winter, in my experience.
- Seen the same thing here—mesh is fine until you get that heavy, sticky snow.
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Couldn’t agree more.“screen just gives a false sense of security in winter, in my experience.”
- Tried stainless screen on my shed vent last year. Looked great for about a week, then it iced over solid.
- If you’re set on airflow, I’ve had better luck with those mushroom vents with a decent overhang. Still not perfect, but less prone to clogging than flat mesh.
- Honestly, sometimes I just brush the vent off after storms... not ideal but it works.