"trying to patch up badly damaged flashing rarely holds up long-term..."
Exactly my experience too. I've seen folks spend hours trying to straighten out aluminum flashing, only for it to buckle again after the first heavy rain or windstorm. If it's minor, sure, tapping it out gently can buy you some time. But honestly, once it's kinked badly, you're better off biting the bullet and replacing it. Saves headaches down the road...
I've had mixed luck with patching aluminum flashing. If it's just a small dent or minor bend, I've managed to straighten it out enough to hold up for a while. But yeah, once it's seriously kinked or creased, it seems like the metal just loses its strength and shape permanently. I wonder if that's partly due to the thinness of typical aluminum flashing?
Honestly, I've started looking into alternatives like copper or galvanized steel flashing—heard they might be more durable long-term. Has anyone tried those? Curious if they're worth the extra cost and effort. Aluminum is convenient and affordable, but if we're constantly replacing it after storms, maybe it's not as economical as we think...
I've switched over to galvanized steel flashing myself after dealing with aluminum headaches for years. Aluminum's great for quick fixes, but you're right—it just doesn't bounce back once it's kinked. Galvanized steel is definitely sturdier and holds its shape better, though it can be a bit more of a hassle to cut and shape. Copper looks amazing, but honestly, the price tag scared me off...maybe someday when I win the lottery, haha.
Galvanized steel definitely has its perks, but honestly, aluminum isn't all that bad if you handle it right. I've found that if you're careful when installing aluminum flashing, you can minimize the kinking issue significantly. Here's what I usually do: First, measure and mark carefully—rushing this step is where most mistakes happen. Then, score lightly with a utility knife before bending; this helps get a cleaner fold without those annoying creases. If you do end up with minor kinks, gently tapping them out with a rubber mallet against a flat surface can help smooth things out (though it'll never be perfect again).
Still, galvanized steel is undeniably tougher and holds up better in harsh weather. But cutting and shaping it can be a real pain—especially if you're working solo or don't have the right tools handy. Copper...yeah, it's gorgeous, but unless you're restoring some historic mansion, it's probably overkill for most DIY projects. I'd stick with aluminum for small repairs, galvanized steel for bigger jobs, and save copper for Pinterest boards and daydreams, haha.
Good tips on aluminum flashing—I usually do something similar. One thing I've noticed though, even minor kinks seem to become weak points over time, especially in areas with heavy rain or snow. Ever had issues with leaks developing later on from these small imperfections?
