"turns out raccoons around there were basically furry terminators."
Haha, that checks out. Aluminum flashing is pretty flimsy stuff—fine for weatherproofing, but not exactly critter-proof. Galvanized steel mesh is a solid choice, though it can feel like overkill at first. Still, better safe than sorry, especially if you're dealing with determined wildlife.
One thing I'd add: make sure it's properly secured. I've seen folks use heavy-duty materials but skimp on fasteners or spacing, and animals still find a way in. A few extra screws or staples can make all the difference. Also, double-check any gaps or corners—critters are masters at exploiting weak points.
Sounds like you've got it under control now, but yeah... sometimes going heavy-duty from the start saves you headaches later.
Yeah, galvanized steel mesh is solid, but it can get pricey fast. I've had decent luck with hardware cloth—cheaper and still pretty tough. Just gotta make sure it's tight and secure, or those furry ninjas will find a way in anyway... learned that the hard way.
Hardware cloth sounds like a solid alternative, but I'm wondering—how long has yours held up so far? I've seen squirrels chew through some surprisingly tough stuff before, and those furry ninjas (haha, perfect description!) always seem to find the weakest spot. Did you double-layer it or just go with a single layer?
Also, about the original metal roof sample... any chance it's aluminum rather than galvanized steel? Aluminum samples can look pretty similar at first glance. If you scratch it lightly, does it feel softer? Aluminum tends to be lighter and easier to bend. Could be important if you're considering it for critter-proofing—I've heard mixed things about aluminum holding up against persistent pests.
Curious what you end up finding out... keep us posted!
"Aluminum tends to be lighter and easier to bend. Could be important if you're considering it for critter-proofing—I've heard mixed things about aluminum holding up against persistent pests."
Good point about aluminum being softer... I learned that the hard way. A few years ago, I tried using some leftover aluminum flashing to patch up a gap near my attic vent. Looked fine at first, but within a week, those "furry ninjas" (love that term!) had chewed right through it like it was butter. Ended up swapping it out for galvanized steel mesh, single-layer, and it's been holding strong ever since—going on 3 years now.
Never needed to double-layer the hardware cloth myself, but I made sure to secure it really well around the edges. Those squirrels are relentless when they sense weakness. If you're dealing with particularly stubborn critters, maybe double-layering wouldn't hurt, but honestly, galvanized steel seems pretty solid on its own.
Curious to hear what you discover about your mystery metal sample... aluminum or steel, either way, hope it does the trick.
- Good call on galvanized steel mesh—it's been my go-to as well.
- Aluminum flashing can be deceivingly flimsy... learned that lesson after raccoons turned mine into modern art overnight.
- Single-layer galvanized steel hardware cloth has held up great for me too, just gotta secure those edges tight.
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Haha, truth! They're basically tiny, furry engineers testing our DIY skills."Those squirrels are relentless when they sense weakness."
