I get the appeal of just swapping out UV zip ties every year, but I’ve gotta say, after a couple seasons of chasing brittle plastic bits all over the roof, I started rethinking it. The cleanup alone gets old fast, especially when you’re trying to keep debris out of drains or green roof beds. Stainless is a pain to work with, sure, but once it’s on, you’re not messing with it for ages. The tool’s a one-time buy and honestly not that bad to use after a bit of practice.
That said, I get why folks stick with plastic for quick tags—less hassle upfront. But if you’re already up there doing maintenance, swapping to steel for anything exposed just saves headaches down the line. Maybe overkill for some jobs, but in spots where you really don’t want to be back every spring, it’s worth considering. Just my two cents from too many windy days picking up broken zip ties...
