"Do you think it makes a noticeable difference if you're in an area with moderate snowfall, or is this mostly a concern for heavy snow zones?"
Honestly, from my experience, moderate snowfall areas can still benefit quite a bit from a slightly higher ice barrier. When we bought our first place, we stuck strictly to code too, thinking we'd save some cash. But after one particularly nasty winter storm, we ended up with ice dams and leaks... lesson learned the hard way, lol. As for brands, I've used both budget and pricier membranes—didn't notice a huge difference personally. Seems more about proper installation than brand name.
I get your point about moderate snowfall areas, but I wouldn't jump straight into spending extra money without considering a few things first. From my experience, ice dams usually form because of poor attic insulation and ventilation—not necessarily because the ice barrier isn't high enough. Before adding more barrier material, I'd suggest checking your attic insulation levels and making sure vents aren't blocked or inadequate.
When we moved into our current home, we had similar issues with ice dams. Instead of immediately upgrading the barrier, we added some insulation and cleared out a couple blocked soffit vents. Made a noticeable difference right away...and cost less than redoing the roof edge.
Not saying extra ice barrier isn't helpful—just that it's worth looking at cheaper fixes first. If you do end up going with more barrier, totally agree that proper installation matters way more than brand.
Good points about insulation and ventilation—seen plenty of roofs where ice dams were mostly due to poor attic airflow. People often jump straight to expensive fixes when simpler solutions do the trick. Had a similar case last winter; homeowner was convinced they needed more barrier, but after clearing blocked vents and topping up insulation, problem solved. Definitely worth checking those basics first...could save a lot of hassle and cash.
"People often jump straight to expensive fixes when simpler solutions do the trick."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've seen homeowners spend thousands on new barriers or heated cables without even glancing at their attic ventilation. It's surprising how often blocked soffit vents or poorly placed insulation batts are the real culprits. One homeowner I worked with had ice dams every year, and it turned out their bathroom exhaust fan was venting straight into the attic—talk about moisture overload. Fixing that small issue made a huge difference...always worth double-checking the basics first.
This reminds me of a neighbor who kept battling ice dams every winter. He installed heated cables, replaced shingles, and even added extra ice barriers—but nothing helped. Turned out his attic insulation was packed so tight against the roof sheathing it blocked airflow completely. Once he pulled it back a bit, problem solved. Sometimes it's just about giving your attic some breathing room...definitely worth checking before dropping serious cash on fancy fixes.
