I’ve had similar issues with metal boots rusting out, especially with all the freeze-thaw cycles here in the Midwest. Silicone’s been a solid upgrade for me too, but I do wonder about long-term UV exposure. Has anyone seen silicone degrade after a bunch of summers? I’m weighing if it’s worth sticking with or trying something else next time.
- Seen a lot of silicone boots hold up well, but Midwest sun can be brutal.
- On a few jobs, noticed some chalking and minor cracking after 8+ years—usually on south-facing slopes where the sun just bakes everything.
- Still, way less hassle than dealing with rusted metal every 3-5 years, especially with all the ice damming and freeze-thaw we get.
- If you’re worried about UV, there are some boots rated for higher UV resistance—costs a bit more but might be worth it if your vents get full sun all day.
- I’ve also tried those EPDM rubber boots. They’re flexible and seem to shrug off both cold snaps and hot spells, but they can dry out eventually too.
- Honestly, nothing’s truly maintenance-free up here... I just check mine every spring and fall now. Caught a split early last year before it leaked—saved me a headache.
- If you’re swapping them out anyway, maybe try a different brand or look for one with a longer UV warranty? Just my two cents from crawling around too many roofs in July...
Has anyone actually seen those “UV-rated” boots last much longer in real-world Midwest sun? I get the idea, but I’ve swapped out a few after just 5-6 years and they still had some cracking, even with the higher price tag. Makes me wonder if the extra cost is really worth it or if it’s just marketing hype.
Also, about silicone vs. EPDM—do you notice one holding up better against hail? I’ve seen silicone boots get dinged up pretty bad after a couple storms, while the rubber ones just kind of flex and bounce back. But then again, like you said, nothing’s really maintenance-free around here... I’m starting to think it’s less about the material and more about just keeping an eye on things before they turn into a leak.
Curious if anyone’s tried those metal retrofit collars that go over old boots instead of swapping them out entirely? Seems like a shortcut, but maybe it buys some time between full replacements.
I’ve actually had better luck with the metal retrofit collars than I expected. Threw one on a cracked boot last fall, and it’s held up through two hailstorms and a brutal summer. Not a forever fix, but honestly, it bought me a couple years. I’m with you on the UV-rated boots—never seen them last as long as the marketing claims, especially with our freeze-thaw cycles. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just smarter to budget for regular checks and patch jobs instead of chasing “lifetime” materials that don’t deliver.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s just smarter to budget for regular checks and patch jobs instead of chasing “lifetime” materials that don’t deliver.
That’s been my experience too, especially with all the freeze-thaw here. I tried a high-end “lifetime” boot on my shed roof—cracked in three years. Metal collars plus routine spring inspections have saved me more headaches than any fancy upgrade.
