That freeze-thaw cycle is no joke—had a patch job on my back porch flashing last winter, and by March it was already curling up. I get the temptation to just slap some goop on and call it good, especially when you’re staring down a storm in the forecast. But honestly, every shortcut I’ve taken with flashing has come back to haunt me. Ended up biting the bullet and replacing with steel flashing after a nasty windstorm last spring. Cost more upfront, but I haven’t had to drag the ladder out since. Sometimes it’s just worth doing it right, even if it stings a bit at first.
That freeze-thaw cycle is no joke—had a patch job on my back porch flashing last winter, and by March it was already curling up. I get the temptation to just slap some goop on and call it good, e...
I get where you’re coming from—“sometimes it’s just worth doing it right, even if it stings a bit at first”—but I’d push back a little on the idea that steel flashing is always the best long-term fix, especially in climates with aggressive freeze-thaw cycles. Steel definitely outperforms aluminum for impact resistance and wind, but it’s not immune to corrosion, especially if you’re anywhere near salt air or have a lot of acidic rain. I’ve seen more than a few steel flashings start rusting out after only a handful of seasons, particularly if they weren’t properly coated or installed with compatible fasteners.
There’s also the thermal expansion issue. Steel expands and contracts less than aluminum, but over wide temperature swings, both can stress sealants and fasteners. That’s why I’ve started leaning toward composite or recycled rubber flashing in my own projects—sounds odd, but some of these newer materials are engineered specifically to handle movement without cracking or curling up. They’re pricier up front (not as much as copper though), but I haven’t had to touch my porch roof since switching over five years ago.
If you’re set on metal, I’d at least recommend checking for certified coatings and making sure all your fasteners are stainless or otherwise corrosion-resistant. And never underestimate the value of proper overlap and underlayment—half the failures I see are because someone trusted caulk alone.
Just my two cents from battling New England winters. Sometimes “doing it right” means thinking outside traditional materials, especially as tech evolves. Curious if anyone else has tried those composite flashings?
I’m with you on not trusting caulk alone—seen way too many jobs fail just because someone thought a bead of sealant would stand up to a New England winter. The composite flashing options are interesting. I’ve only seen them used on a couple of jobs, mostly higher-end or “green” remodels, and honestly, they seemed to hold up better than I expected. Installation’s a little different—more forgiving in some ways since they flex, but you still have to watch for water getting underneath.
Steel’s definitely not perfect either. I’ve had to replace galvanized pieces that rusted out in under ten years, even with “weatherproof” coatings. Around here, the snow melt and road salt just eat them up. Aluminum’s easier to work with but yeah, it curls and splits so fast when the temps swing.
I guess there’s no magic bullet. Sometimes I wonder if copper is worth the price just for the peace of mind, but then again... budgets are real. For now, I’m sticking with composites where it makes sense and just being extra picky about how everything gets layered and fastened down.
Aluminum’s easier to work with but yeah, it curls and splits so fast when the temps swing.
That’s been my experience too. I tried patching a few spots with new aluminum last fall, but by spring, half of it had warped again. At this point, I’m leaning toward composites for tricky areas—costs more up front, but I’m tired of redoing the same job every couple years. Copper’s tempting, but like you said, the price is tough to swallow unless it’s a forever home.
At this point, I’m leaning toward composites for tricky areas—costs more up front, but I’m tired of redoing the same job every couple years.
I hear you. We switched to composite flashing on a few of our older buildings after fighting with warped aluminum every spring. It’s pricier, but honestly, the reduced maintenance has been worth it—especially in spots that get hammered by sun and snow. Copper looks great, but yeah, unless you’re planning to stay put for decades, it’s hard to justify. Sometimes paying more up front really does save headaches down the line.
