I’ve actually wondered the same about those plastic boots. When I bought my place last year, the inspector pointed out how the previous owner used them on half the vents—honestly, they’re still holding up fine after about five years, but I’m in central Oklahoma, so maybe not quite as brutal as Texas heat. I do think “lifetime” is a stretch if you’ve got intense sun all summer. Metal’s expensive up front, but I keep hearing it’s more of a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Still debating if it’s worth swapping out the rest or just waiting till they show signs of cracking.
Metal boots are definitely pricier, but I’ve seen them outlast two or three rounds of plastic ones—especially on a west-facing roof where the sun just bakes everything. The “lifetime” label always makes me skeptical too. I manage a few properties with both types and honestly, the plastic ones usually start cracking right around the 6-7 year mark, sometimes sooner if we get a stretch of hot summers.
One thing I’m curious about: has anyone actually had a leak traced back to a failed boot? Or is it more about peace of mind? On one house, we didn’t notice the cracks until water started dripping in the attic, so now I’m leaning toward swapping before there’s any sign of trouble. But then again, replacing them all just for the sake of it feels wasteful if they’re still holding up.
How do folks decide when to pull the trigger—wait for visible damage or go by age alone? And does anybody use those UV-resistant covers you can snap over the plastic boots? Wondering if they actually help or just delay the inevitable...
I’ve actually had a leak from a cracked plastic boot on a rental—didn’t catch it until there was staining on the ceiling, which is never fun. Since then, I’ve started checking them every spring, but I’m still torn between swapping them by age or just waiting for cracks. The UV covers seem like a good idea in theory, but I’ve seen them get brittle too after a few years in direct sun. Has anyone tried switching to silicone boots? Curious if they hold up better than either metal or plastic in harsh sun.
I get the worry about plastic boots—had the same thing happen on my place a few years back. But honestly, I’m not convinced swapping them out just by age is worth the cost if you’re on a tight budget.
Same here. I tried those snap-on UV shields and they cracked after two summers. I haven’t used silicone boots yet, but I’ve stuck with metal for now—seems to last longer in our hot summers, even if it’s a bit more up front. I’d rather keep an eye out for cracks and only replace when needed, unless you’re seeing leaks every year.“The UV covers seem like a good idea in theory, but I’ve seen them get brittle too after a few years in direct sun.”
Totally get where you’re coming from—why replace something that’s still holding up? I’ve found metal boots are more forgiving if you’re on a budget. I check mine every spring and fall, but haven’t swapped them just for age either. Makes sense to wait unless there’s an actual problem.