Yeah, stainless mesh is basically the only thing I’ve seen stand up to squirrels, but the cost stings—especially if you’re covering a big area. Have you looked into copper at all? I’ve heard it holds up better in salt air, just not sure if it’s worth the extra bucks.
Yeah, stainless mesh is basically the only thing I’ve seen stand up to squirrels, but the cost stings—especially if you’re covering a big area. Have you looked into copper at all? I’ve heard it holds up better in salt air, just not sure if it’s worth the extra bucks.
You’re spot on about stainless holding up to critters, but that price tag can be brutal. I’ve actually tried copper mesh on a coastal project—definitely more upfront, but it’s still solid after five years with no corrosion. Downside for me was it’s a bit softer, so installation took more care. Did you notice any difference in airflow when you switched materials? That’s always my worry with these upgrades...
Did you notice any difference in airflow when you switched materials? That’s always my worry with these upgrades...
That’s a good question—airflow is usually the first thing I check after any mesh swap, especially on older attics that already struggle with ventilation. In my experience, both stainless and copper mesh (assuming similar gauge and weave) don’t make a huge impact on airflow if you’re using them just for critter screening over soffit or ridge vents. The main thing is to avoid going too fine with the mesh size. I’ve seen folks use ultra-tight weaves thinking it’ll keep everything out, but then you end up restricting air movement way more than you’d expect.
Copper’s definitely softer, like you mentioned, and I found it needed a bit more support to keep it from sagging over time—especially in bigger vent openings. But as long as it’s installed snug and you aren’t doubling up layers, the airflow stays pretty comparable to stainless. I did a test with a smoke pencil once (not exactly scientific, but handy on site), and honestly couldn’t see much difference between the two.
One thing to watch for: if your attic already runs hot or humid, even a small drop in airflow can cause issues down the line. I’d say if you’re worried, stick with standard hardware cloth sizes (like 1/4” square) rather than going finer. And if you’re in a coastal area, copper really does hold up—no rust streaks like galvanized stuff gets after a few seasons.
Had a job last year where we tried aluminum mesh as a budget option and regretted it pretty quick—squirrels chewed right through within months. Sometimes paying more upfront for copper or stainless saves headaches later... but yeah, that sticker shock never really goes away.
Curious if anyone else has tried hybrid setups—like stainless on the main vents and copper just where it’s exposed to salt spray? Seems like there could be a sweet spot for cost vs. durability.
I’ve actually wondered about mixing materials too, especially in spots that get hammered by salt air versus the rest of the roof. I’ve seen a few homes with stainless on most vents and then copper just on the windward side, but honestly, I’m not sure it made a huge difference in longevity—at least not enough to justify the hassle for most folks. One thing I do question is whether the dissimilar metals could cause any weird corrosion issues over time if they’re touching. Has anyone run into that? I’ve seen some odd staining before but never really traced it back to mixed mesh.
Mixing metals on a roof is a slippery slope, especially near the coast. Galvanic corrosion is real—if copper and stainless touch, moisture and salt can speed up the process. I’ve seen vent stacks eaten through in less than a decade because of it. Honestly, unless you’re super careful with isolators or coatings, I’d stick to one metal wherever possible. Those weird stains you mentioned? Nine times out of ten, that’s metal reaction runoff. Not always a structural problem, but it can look rough.