I’ve seen Malarkey hold up better than most after a hailstorm, but you’re right—if the crew skimps on flashing or ventilation, even the fanciest shingle won’t save you from leaks or attic funk. Had a job last summer where the homeowner insisted on top-shelf shingles but didn’t want to pay for ice and water shield in the valleys. Sure enough, first big rain, water found its way in. Ended up costing them more to fix than if they’d just done it right the first time.
Solar fans are a game changer for attic temps, especially in places where July feels like a sauna. I’m curious, though—anyone ever had issues with critters getting into their soffits after clearing them out? I’ve had a couple of calls about squirrels making themselves at home once the airflow improved. Always something new with roofs...
“I’ve had a couple of calls about squirrels making themselves at home once the airflow improved.”
That’s wild—I thought better airflow would mean fewer critters, not more. I just cleared my soffits last month (YouTube made it look way easier than it was), and now I’m paranoid every time I hear scratching up there. I put mesh over the vents, but honestly, I’m not convinced it’ll keep out anything determined. If a squirrel wants in, it’s basically Mission Impossible for them.
Also, totally agree on the “do it right the first time” thing. I tried to save a few bucks skipping the fancy underlayment, but after reading stories like yours, I’m rethinking that shortcut. Sometimes cheap ends up expensive...
Mesh over the vents is a solid move, but yeah, squirrels are basically little furry ninjas. I had one chew right through aluminum flashing once—didn’t even slow him down. If you’re still hearing scratching, check for any gaps around the soffit edges or where the roof meets the fascia. I used hardware cloth (the heavy-duty stuff) and some metal screws to really lock it down. It’s a pain, but I haven’t had any new “tenants” since. And on underlayment—learned that lesson the hard way too. Cheap felt = leaks in my case. Not worth it.
That’s wild about the squirrel chewing through aluminum—I always thought that stuff was basically rodent-proof. Do you think the hardware cloth would hold up against something bigger, like raccoons? I’ve seen them rip shingles right off trying to get in. And speaking of underlayment, has anyone tried one of those synthetic options? I keep hearing they’re tougher than felt, but I wonder if they’re really worth the extra cost, especially with all the critter traffic some of us get.
Do you think the hardware cloth would hold up against something bigger, like raccoons? I’ve seen them rip shingles right off trying to get in.
Yeah, raccoons are on a whole different level from squirrels. I used 1/2" hardware cloth around my attic vents after some “creative remodeling” by the neighborhood trash pandas last year. It’s held up so far, but I doubled up the layers and anchored them with screws and washers, not just staples. They’re persistent, and if they want in bad enough, I honestly think they’ll find a way—especially if there’s food or warmth involved.
About synthetic underlayment: I tried GAF Deck-Armor on my shed roof as an experiment. Pricey compared to regular felt, but it was easy to work with (lighter, less slippery). It’s been through two winters now with zero leaks, which is more than I can say for the old felt under our main roof. That being said, I’m not convinced it’s “critter-proof.” If something is determined—like those raccoons or a really motivated squirrel—they’ll chew or claw through almost anything that isn’t metal.
On cost, yeah, synthetic is probably double or triple what you’d pay for felt. For me, it made sense on a smaller project where I could afford the upgrade. If you’re doing a whole roof and have lots of animal traffic, maybe just reinforce the vulnerable areas (edges, vents) with metal flashing or mesh and stick to felt elsewhere. Or mix and match if you’re handy and don’t mind piecing it together.
Funny thing is, I always thought aluminum would stop critters too. Turns out, a squirrel’s teeth don’t care about manufacturer specs...
If you really want peace of mind, maybe just build a moat around the house? Joking (sort of).