Finally tackled that metal edging thing on my roof

Metal mesh isn’t perfect, but at least it slows them down enough for me to sleep at night.

I’m right there with you on the mesh. I tried expanding foam in a couple spots around my attic vents, thinking it’d be a solid barrier, but mice just tunneled right through. The mesh is ugly, sure, but it’s the only thing that’s actually held up. I do wish there was a more “finished” looking option that didn’t cost a fortune or block airflow. Sealants have been hit or miss for me too—sometimes they just don’t bond well to old wood.

Funny you mention the foam—same thing happened here. I thought I’d be clever and fill a couple cracks with it, but the mice just chewed right through like it was nothing. The mesh isn’t pretty, but at least it works. I’ve seen some folks use those painted vent covers or even custom-cut sheet metal, but that seems like a lot of work (and cash) for something most people never notice. Has anyone tried painting the mesh to blend in a bit, or does that mess with airflow?

Yeah, the foam was a total bust for me too. I thought I was being smart and saving money, but those little guys just tunneled right through it like it was nothing. Ended up having to pull it all out and go with mesh anyway. Not the prettiest fix, but at least it’s kept the critters out for a couple years now.

About painting the mesh—I've actually tried it. Used a can of cheap spray paint that matched the trim, just to tone down that shiny metal look. Didn’t notice any difference in airflow, but I only did a light coat, not a thick layer. If you really glob it on, maybe it could clog up the holes, but with a quick pass or two, it still breathes fine. Looks better from the ground too—nobody’s ever commented or even noticed unless I point it out.

I looked into those custom vent covers and sheet metal options too, but honestly, way more expensive than I wanted to deal with for something up near the roofline. Plus, half the time you have to order weird sizes or cut them yourself, which is just another headache.

If you’re worried about rust on the mesh after painting (I live in a pretty rainy area), just make sure you get something labeled for outdoor use. Mine’s held up alright so far—no big flakes or anything coming off.

At this point I’m just glad to have found something that keeps the mice out without breaking the bank or turning into a weekend-long project. Not perfect, but good enough for now...

I get where you’re coming from with the mesh—definitely better than foam for critters. But I’ve seen a lot of those quick spray paint jobs start to peel or rust after a couple seasons, especially in damp climates. Even the “outdoor” stuff doesn’t always hold up as well as folks hope. I usually tell people to spend a bit more up front on powder-coated mesh if they can swing it. Costs more, sure, but you won’t be up there scraping and repainting every other year. Just my two cents—sometimes the “cheaper” fix ends up costing more time and hassle down the road.

- Totally get your point about powder-coating being worth it, but I keep looking at my budget and wondering if it’s really necessary for my spot.
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“sometimes the ‘cheaper’ fix ends up costing more time and hassle down the road.”