Had a job last fall where the homeowner wanted to swap out all the old rubber boots for metal ones, thinking it’d be a one-and-done fix. The shingles were already showing their age—pretty brittle, especially on the north side. We went ahead with the metal boots, but even being careful, a couple shingles cracked just from lifting them up in that cold weather. Ended up having to patch more than we planned.
Honestly, I’ve seen high-grade silicone boots hold up better than folks expect, especially if you get the sizing right and seal them well. Metal’s solid, but it doesn’t always play nice with an uneven roof deck or older shingles. If your roof’s already rough, sometimes you’re just chasing leaks from one spot to another.
If I had to do my own place, I’d probably stick with silicone boots unless I was re-roofing the whole thing. Cheaper and less hassle for now. Just my two cents...
- I get the appeal of silicone boots, but I’ve had mixed luck with them in freeze/thaw cycles—sometimes that sealant just doesn’t hold up after a couple rough winters.
- Metal boots can be a pain on old shingles, totally agree there. But once they’re in, I’ve found they outlast anything else, especially if you’re not planning to touch the roof again for years.
- On my last place (asphalt, 18 years old), tried both. The silicone ones needed resealing after three seasons. Metal’s still going strong.
- If you’re patching anyway, might as well go with the longer-lasting fix... unless you’re planning a full tear-off soon.
Funny, I was just up in an attic last week and saw a silicone boot that looked like it had survived a raccoon attack—cracked, peeling, and letting in daylight. That freeze/thaw cycle just eats them alive around here. I get the convenience, but man, I’ve seen more callbacks for leaks around those than anything else.
Metal boots can be a pain to install, especially if you’re dealing with brittle old shingles or a steep pitch. But once they’re in, they’re like that one uncle who never leaves the family reunion—just keeps hanging on. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried those newer composite boots? Supposedly they flex better with temperature swings, but I haven’t seen enough of them in the wild to say if they’re worth the extra cash.
And speaking of patch jobs, does anyone actually trust a reseal to last more than a couple years? Or is it just delaying the inevitable? Sometimes I wonder if we’re all just buying time until the next storm blows through...
Yeah, those silicone boots are a gamble in our climate. I’ve had to replace a bunch over the years—once they start cracking, it’s just a matter of time before you’re dealing with water stains inside. Metal boots are a pain upfront, but I’ll take that over repeat leaks any day. Haven’t tried the composite ones yet, but I’m skeptical they’ll hold up long-term. As for resealing, I treat it like putting a band-aid on a leaky pipe... might buy you a season or two, but you’re just kicking the can down the road.
Funny, I’ve actually had better luck with silicone boots than metal, but maybe our winters aren’t as brutal. Have you ever tried doubling up with a bead of high-grade sealant under the boot? Might be overkill, but it’s kept mine happy for a few extra years. Curious if anyone’s composite boots have survived more than five seasons...