Aluminum screen might work fine for a while, but I've seen squirrels chew through aluminum flashing like it's nothing. Might hold up against mice, but if you've got bigger critters around, I'd keep an eye on it...
"Aluminum screen might work fine for a while, but I've seen squirrels chew through aluminum flashing like it's nothing."
I had a similar experience managing a property near a wooded area. Initially, we installed aluminum flashing around some attic vents thinking it'd deter wildlife effectively. It seemed solid enough, and for several months, we didn't notice any issues. But eventually, squirrels managed to chew right through it—surprisingly quickly too. They can be incredibly persistent when they're determined to nest or find food sources.
We ended up switching to galvanized steel mesh with a heavier gauge. It was pricier upfront, but in the long run, it saved us from repeated repairs and potential interior damage. Aluminum might hold up against smaller rodents like mice, but if you're dealing with squirrels or raccoons, the extra cost for stronger material is usually justified.
Just something to consider before you commit fully to aluminum...
I've seen squirrels chew through aluminum too, but honestly, it depends on how determined the critters are. Had aluminum flashing at my place for years without issues, but maybe I just got lucky with less persistent squirrels? Galvanized steel is definitely sturdier, though it can be a pain to work with if you're DIYing. Guess it's a trade-off between ease of installation and long-term peace of mind...
Had aluminum flashing at one of our properties too, and honestly, squirrels never touched it. But raccoons? Different story altogether... those little guys tore through it like it was cardboard. Ended up switching to galvanized steel after that fiasco. Sure, it's heavier and more annoying to install, but at least I don't have to worry about waking up to surprise roof damage anymore. Guess it really comes down to the local wildlife's determination level—or maybe just their mood that day?
Had a similar situation at a client's cabin a few years back. We thought aluminum flashing would be enough, but nope—turns out raccoons around there were basically furry terminators. They ripped through the flashing overnight and even dragged pieces halfway across the yard. Ended up using galvanized steel mesh backed with heavier gauge flashing. Bit of an overkill maybe, but haven't had any midnight roofing surprises since then... sometimes you just gotta go heavy-duty right from the start.
