Metal’s been my go-to too, honestly. I tried a couple of those “eco” mesh options thinking I’d feel better about the waste, but raccoons just tore them up like tissue paper. It’s frustrating—on paper, recycled plastic or composite sounds great, but in practice, durability just isn’t there yet for wildlife-heavy areas.
I get the skepticism. The last thing I want is to be up on a ladder every few months patching holes. Metal’s not perfect (and yeah, it’s not the greenest), but it’s saved me a ton of hassle and money in the long run. Maybe if there’s ever a composite that can actually stand up to claws and teeth, I’ll give it another shot. For now, patching once with metal seems like the lesser evil.
If you ever do stumble on something that works better, definitely let us know... until then, I’m sticking with what keeps the critters out.
Metal’s not perfect (and yeah, it’s not the greenest), but it’s saved me a ton of hassle and money in the long run.
I hear you on that. I’ve seen way too many “eco” mesh installs shredded after one season—raccoons and squirrels just don’t care about sustainability. Metal’s got its downsides, but patching once and being done is a lot better than constant repairs. I’m still waiting for a composite that can actually handle claws and teeth... until then, metal’s the only thing that holds up around here. Maybe not ideal, but it works.
Metal’s definitely tough, I’ll give you that, but I’ve seen it rust out in spots where water pools or debris sits too long—especially on flatter roofs or places with lots of tree cover. It’s not always a one-and-done fix if you’re not keeping an eye on it. Some of those new fiber-reinforced plastics are showing promise, though they’re still pricey and not as proven long-term. For now, I’m still patching metal for most critter issues, but I wouldn’t write off composites just yet... technology moves fast.
You nailed it about metal not being a “one-and-done fix.” I’ve seen the same thing on some older barns we work on—rust sneaks up wherever leaves pile up or water just sits, especially in shaded spots. Even with the so-called “lifetime” coatings, you get those little pinholes after a few years if you’re not clearing debris.
“...I’ve seen it rust out in spots where water pools or debris sits too long—especially on flatter roofs or places with lots of tree cover.”
Composites are interesting, but yeah, still pretty new. I got to help swap out a section with that fiber-reinforced stuff last fall. It went down easy and looked sharp, but the homeowner was definitely paying for the novelty. I’m curious how it'll look after a decade of Midwest freeze-thaw cycles.
Honestly, regular checkups are underrated. Caught a squirrel hole behind a chimney flashing last spring—could’ve been a nightmare if it’d sat another month. Doesn’t matter what material you’ve got, if you’re not up there checking, something’s gonna find a way in eventually.
- Totally agree about regular checkups being a lifesaver.
- I’ve got a metal roof too, and even with the “good” coatings, I’m seeing tiny rust spots where pine needles collect. Midwest weather is brutal on anything up there.
- Tried composite shingles on my shed—install was a breeze, but I’m not sold on how they’ll hold up long-term. Pricey, like you said.
- Found a bird nest under a loose ridge cap last spring...could’ve been a mess if I hadn’t checked.
- Doesn’t matter what you use, stuff finds a way in or water sits where you least expect it. Maintenance is way less hassle than a big repair.