"Layering works, but sometimes simpler solutions hold up fine."
Couldn't agree more with this. Had a similar issue a while back—not raccoons, but squirrels. Those little guys are surprisingly persistent. Initially, I went overboard with multiple layers of mesh and even some flashing, thinking more was better. But honestly, it just complicated things and made maintenance a headache. Eventually, I stripped it all back and went with a single, heavier gauge mesh secured tightly with screws and washers. Skeptical at first, but it held up great. Sometimes the simplest fixes really do turn out to be the most effective. Glad to hear your raccoon problem got sorted out without too much hassle... wildlife can be stubborn, but sounds like you handled it well.
Good points overall, but I'd caution against oversimplifying things too much. Heavier gauge mesh is great for squirrels or raccoons—no argument there—but I've seen storm damage cases where a single layer wasn't enough. Wind-driven debris or falling branches can tear through even thicker mesh if it's not reinforced properly.
A while back, I worked on a roof that had just basic mesh protection. It held up fine against animals, but after a big storm, we found significant damage from flying debris. Ended up recommending adding a secondary barrier underneath—nothing fancy, just an extra layer of lighter mesh offset slightly. It didn't complicate maintenance much, and it really boosted durability.
So yeah, simpler solutions often work well, but in storm-prone areas especially, sometimes a bit more layering or reinforcement can save you headaches down the road. Just something to keep in mind...
"Ended up recommending adding a secondary barrier underneath—nothing fancy, just an extra layer of lighter mesh offset slightly."
That's a smart move, actually. I've done something similar myself. Last year I noticed some minor damage after a storm—branches had punctured through my single-layer mesh. Being budget-conscious, I didn't want to invest heavily in a full overhaul, but I also didn't want to risk bigger issues down the line.
So here's what I did: grabbed some affordable galvanized chicken wire (lighter gauge, nothing pricey) and offset it just beneath the existing heavier mesh. Took me maybe half a day and cost next to nothing. Since then, we've had two pretty decent storms roll through, and the double-layer setup held up great. No damage at all.
Your point about not oversimplifying is spot-on—sometimes a bit of extra effort upfront saves you from bigger headaches later. Good call on bringing that up.
Totally agree with you both on this—adding that second layer is usually worth the minimal extra effort. I've seen plenty of roofs where just a single mesh barrier was punctured by debris or branches, even when it seemed sturdy enough at first glance. But I'm curious, did you guys leave any spacing between the two layers? A slight offset can actually help absorb impact better than having them flush against each other.
One thing I'd add from experience: if you're in an area that's prone to ice or snow buildup, lighter mesh can sometimes trap ice chunks between layers and cause weight issues. Not always a huge deal, but something to keep in mind depending on your local climate. Last winter I had a homeowner call me out after they DIY'd a similar setup (double-layer chicken wire under heavy-duty mesh). They thought they'd nailed it until ice started accumulating between the layers, adding weight and eventually bending some supports. We ended up adjusting their spacing slightly and adding a bit more slope to help things slide off easier.
But overall, yeah—doubling up is smart and usually cheap insurance against bigger problems down the road. And like you said, no need to overspend or complicate things too much... just gotta keep an eye on those little details like spacing and drainage. Has anyone else noticed any issues with debris getting stuck between layers? Curious if that's common or just something I've run into occasionally.
Definitely agree on the spacing point—I've seen setups where people skipped that step, thinking tighter was stronger, but ended up causing moisture pockets and debris buildup. Also, about debris getting stuck between layers, it's not super common in my experience, but I've noticed it happens more if the mesh gauge is mismatched (like finer mesh under heavier mesh). Matching them up or slightly angling the layers usually solves it, though... small tweaks can really make a big difference.
