Interesting to hear your results with plastic vents. I’ve actually seen both materials fail in different ways after big storms—plastic can crack from hail or flying debris, while metal sometimes gets bent out of shape or starts rusting at the seams. In one case, a client’s metal vent corroded so badly after a few winters that it basically fell apart during a windstorm. But I’ve also seen plastic ones warp if they’re not UV-stabilized. Like you said, installation and climate seem to matter more than just the material itself. Sometimes it’s just about picking your battles with maintenance...
installation and climate seem to matter more than just the material itself
That’s been my experience too. After a major hailstorm last year, I inspected three homes on the same street—one had metal vents, two had plastic. All three had damage, but the worst was actually a poorly installed metal vent that let water in at the seams. The plastic ones cracked but didn’t leak as badly. Sometimes, it really does come down to how well things are put together, not just what they’re made of. Maintenance is always a moving target with this stuff...
Sometimes, it really does come down to how well things are put together, not just what they’re made of.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen “indestructible” metal vents leak like a sieve because someone got lazy with the sealant, while cheaper plastic ones held up just fine after a little TLC. Climate’s a beast too—what survives a hailstorm here in Texas might melt in Arizona. Honestly, even the fanciest materials can’t save you from bad install jobs or neglect... It’s like buying designer shoes and then wearing them in a swamp.
That’s the truth—materials only get you so far if the install’s a mess. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve crawled up into an attic and found “premium” ridge vents slapped on crooked, or soffit vents painted shut. Doesn’t matter if it’s copper, plastic, or unobtanium... if the airflow path is blocked or the seals are sloppy, you’re just asking for trouble.
One time, I inspected a house where the homeowner had splurged on these fancy solar-powered vents, but the intake vents were clogged with insulation. No air in, no air out. The attic was basically a sauna. Meanwhile, my neighbor’s 30-year-old house with basic box vents and clear soffits? Bone dry, no mold, no drama.
Guess my point is, you can’t just throw money at “the best” materials and expect magic. Paying attention to the little stuff—cleaning vents, checking seals, making sure nothing’s blocked—makes way more difference than folks think. And yeah, climate’s a wild card. What works in Minnesota might be a disaster in Florida.
Funny, I had almost the same thing happen with my own place a few years back. Paid extra for “top-tier” vents, but then found out half my soffits were stuffed with old insulation from a previous attic job. Cleared those out and the difference was night and day. Sometimes it’s the boring maintenance stuff that saves you the most headaches. Not glamorous, but it works.
