I get where you’re coming from on the all-rubber boots, but I’ve gotta say, I just can’t trust them long-term—at least not in my neck of the woods (upper Midwest, brutal sun and wild temp swings). Even the pricier ones seem to start cracking or getting brittle after five, six years. Maybe it’s just the combo of UV and ice dams here, but I’ve had to swap out way more rubber boots than metal ones. The corrosion thing with metal is real, though, especially near highways or if you’re close to the lake—salt just eats everything. I’ve started using those coated metal boots with a silicone collar, and so far, they’re holding up better than anything else I’ve tried. Not cheap, but less hassle in the long run.
On the shingle adhesive strips, totally agree—if it’s below freezing, forget about it. I’ve had to go back and re-do patches in the spring more than once because the strips just never sealed. Roofing cement is messy, but at least it works when you need a quick fix. I’ve also tried those little butyl tape squares under tabs for winter repairs—less mess, but not sure they last as long.
About matching shingle color... I get the “function over form” approach, but I’ve noticed mismatched patches can actually heat up differently and sometimes make the problem worse. Had one spot where a darker patch kept melting snow faster and refreezing at the edge, which just made the leak worse. Now I try to at least get close on color, even if it means hunting down old stock or using some granule touch-up.
Honestly, swapping out vent boots every few years feels like a band-aid. If you’re up there anyway, I’d rather spend a little more on something that’ll last through a few seasons of abuse. Less time on the roof, less waste, and fewer headaches when spring rolls around.
Honestly, swapping out vent boots every few years feels like a band-aid. If you’re up there anyway, I’d rather spend a little more on something that’ll last through a few seasons of abuse.
That’s been my thinking too, but I’m curious—have you noticed any difference in attic moisture or ice damming after switching to the coated metal with silicone collar? I’ve had some tenants complain about condensation after repairs, and I’m wondering if the boot material actually plays a role or if it’s just ventilation issues.
I’m wondering if the boot material actually plays a role or if it’s just ventilation issues.
In my experience, the boot material itself rarely causes attic moisture or ice damming. Silicone collars on metal boots do a better job sealing out water long-term, but condensation is almost always tied to attic ventilation or insulation gaps. If tenants are noticing more moisture after repairs, I’d double-check for any missed air leaks or blocked soffit vents. Sometimes repairs unintentionally disrupt airflow, especially if insulation gets shifted around. The boots help with leaks, but they’re not really a factor in condensation unless they’re letting warm air escape into the attic.
I get what you’re saying, but I’ve actually had a cheap rubber boot crack in a single winter and that let warm air right into the attic—made the condensation worse. Anyone else notice certain boot types just don’t hold up in cold climates?
