- Moss on the north side is just relentless, especially with big trees overhead.
- I’ve seen copper strips slow it down, but like you said, nothing’s permanent—maintenance always creeps back in.
- Malarkey does seem to resist growth a bit longer than some others, but after a couple wet seasons, even those start to green up.
- Anyone tried zinc strips instead of copper? I’ve heard mixed things but never used them myself. Wonder if they’d make any real difference long-term...
Zinc strips work about the same as copper in my experience, but neither is a magic bullet—especially if you’re in a spot with heavy shade and wet weather most of the year. I’ve installed both for folks who were sick of scraping moss every spring, and honestly, you’ll get a bit more mileage with copper, but zinc’s not far behind. Both start strong and then taper off after a few years. If you’re dealing with monster trees overhead and barely any sun, nothing short of regular cleaning will keep things totally clear. The strips just slow it down.
Malarkey shingles do seem to hold up better than most when it comes to moss and algae, but even those will eventually get green if you don’t stay on top of it. I’ve seen some roofs go five or six years before they really need attention, which is decent compared to some of the cheaper brands that start looking rough after two wet winters.
Funny enough, I had a client who tried stacking both zinc AND copper strips, thinking maybe the combo would double up the effect. Didn’t really see much difference—maybe bought them an extra season or two before the moss started creeping back. At that point, you’re just throwing money at the problem.
If you want to stretch out maintenance cycles, keeping gutters clear and trimming back branches does more than any strip ever will. I know not everyone wants to hack up their trees for a roof though... kind of defeats the point if you like your shade.
Long story short: zinc’s fine but don’t expect miracles. Regular sweeping or spraying is still king if you want to keep things looking clean—unless we’re talking about zombie-proofing in which case... well, moss might be the least of our worries.
I’m starting to think moss is just part of the deal if you live anywhere damp and shady. We’ve got a ton of trees around our place, and even with Malarkey shingles, I still see green patches popping up after a couple rainy seasons. Tried zinc strips last year—honestly, didn’t notice much difference. Maybe slowed things down a bit, but nothing dramatic. I’d rather sweep the roof every spring than chop down my favorite maple just for a few less mossy spots. If zombies show up, I guess they’ll have to deal with slippery shingles like the rest of us...
I’d rather sweep the roof every spring than chop down my favorite maple just for a few less mossy spots.
That’s the spirit. I’ve seen folks go to war with moss, spending a fortune on treatments and even hiring out pressure washing, but honestly, in the Pacific Northwest (or anywhere damp and tree-heavy), it’s a bit like fighting gravity. You can slow it down, but you’re not gonna win outright. I get calls all the time after storms where people are convinced the moss is what did their roof in, but nine times out of ten it’s just age or a bad install.
Malarkey shingles are pretty tough as far as asphalt goes—good granule retention, flexible in cold snaps, and they don’t curl up as fast as some of the cheaper brands. Moss will try to creep in no matter what you put up there if you’ve got shade and moisture. Zinc strips can help, but only right below where they’re installed. If your roof’s got a lot of valleys or isn’t super steep, water just doesn’t run off fast enough to keep things dry.
I’ve got a cedar shake roof on my own place—looks great under the firs, but man, it’s basically a moss farm by March. I tried copper wire once (old-timer trick), and it worked for about a season before the wire corroded and snapped in a windstorm. Now I just do what you do: gentle sweep in spring, maybe a little moss killer if things get out of hand, and let nature do its thing.
Honestly, unless you’re seeing shingles lifting or leaks forming, those green patches are more cosmetic than anything else. Just watch for big clumps that could trap water under tabs—that’s when you start getting rot or ice dams if you’re somewhere cold.
If zombies ever do show up, I figure slippery mossy shingles are about as good a defense as any... at least until they invent solar-powered roof rakes.
Honestly, unless you’re seeing shingles lifting or leaks forming, those green patches are more cosmetic than anything else.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve inspected plenty of roofs where folks panic over a bit of moss, but unless it’s really thick or you’re seeing water get underneath, it’s usually not a crisis. I get why people worry, though—moss just looks like trouble, especially if you’re used to seeing clean roofs in drier climates.
I’m with you on the Malarkey shingles. They hold up better than most, especially in our wet winters. I’ve seen them outlast some of the “premium” brands when it comes to granule loss and curling. Still, nothing’s totally moss-proof if you’ve got big trees and shade. I’ve seen zinc and copper work, but only in streaks right below the metal, and it’s never a full fix.
Honestly, your approach—sweep in spring, keep an eye out for trouble spots, don’t stress the small stuff—makes sense. Roofs are meant to be lived under, not obsessed over. If the zombies come, maybe the moss will slow them down long enough for us to get the ladder out...