I hear you on the composite boots—those hybrids are way better than the old-school rubber ones that would crack if you even looked at them funny. But I’ve had metal boots on a couple buildings for almost a decade now, and honestly, the only time I’ve had to mess with them was after a raccoon tried to turn one into a condo. Hail’s a pain, but I’ve seen plastic boots get shredded by UV faster than metal ever rusted. Maybe it’s just luck, but I’ll take a dent over a leak any day...
I get what you’re saying about the metal boots—mine have survived everything short of a tornado, and I’m in the Midwest where hail is basically a seasonal sport. The only real issue I’ve had was when a squirrel decided to stash half a bagel under one, but that’s another story.
I tried those “lifetime” plastic boots once because they were supposed to be UV-proof, but after three summers, they looked like someone took a weed whacker to them. Maybe it’s just our sun out here, but I’d rather deal with a little rust than have to climb up there every couple years swapping stuff out.
Do you ever bother painting your metal boots or just let ‘em weather? I’ve heard some folks slap on a coat of Rust-Oleum and call it good, but I’m not sure if that’s overkill or actually helps. Also, anyone else notice composite boots seem to shrink weirdly in the cold? Or is that just my luck...
Do you ever bother painting your metal boots or just let ‘em weather? I’ve heard some folks slap on a coat of Rust-Oleum and call it good, but I’m not sure if that’s overkill or actually helps.
I usually just let mine do their thing, honestly. They get a little rusty, but nothing major so far. Tried painting one once—looked nice for a year, then started flaking off anyway. Midwest weather just laughs at paint. And yeah, composite boots in the cold? Mine shrank so much last winter I thought I’d bought the wrong size. Not just your luck.
Midwest weather just laughs at paint.
That’s been my experience too. I tried a couple different primers and topcoats, but after two winters, the paint was peeling and the rust came right back. Honestly, unless you’re dealing with visible boots and care about looks, letting them weather isn’t a big deal structurally. If you’re worried about leaks, I’d focus more on the flashing and seals than the paint job. Composite boots shrinking in the cold is a pain—had to swap mine mid-season once because they cracked. Metal holds up better long-term, even if it gets a bit ugly.
Yeah, Midwest winters are brutal on anything up there. I’ve seen paint just flake off in sheets after a couple freeze-thaw cycles. You’re right—metal boots might not win any beauty contests, but they sure outlast the composite ones. I’d rather deal with ugly than leaks any day.
