That freeze/thaw cycle up here is brutal on anything rubber, no matter what the label says. I’ve seen boots that looked fine in October turn into cracked messes by March. I get folks wanting a “set it and forget it” fix, but honestly, I haven’t seen one that holds up to our winters either. I’ve had better luck with those all-metal retrofit collars—less pretty, but they don’t care about the cold. Still, nothing beats just getting up there once a year and giving things a look. Beats finding out about a leak from your ceiling in April...
You nailed it—rubber just doesn’t stand a chance up here with the constant freeze and thaw. I’ve inspected plenty of roofs where those “guaranteed” boots just didn’t last a single winter. The all-metal collars aren’t pretty, but they sure outlast anything else I’ve seen. That yearly check is clutch...nobody wants to learn about leaks from a soggy ceiling tile in spring.
Yeah, those rubber boots just crack and split way too fast once the temps start swinging. I’ve seen some folks try the “UV-resistant” ones, but honestly, they still get brittle. Metal collars might not win any beauty contests, but at least you’re not crawling up there every year swapping ‘em out. I do wish someone would invent something that actually holds up and doesn’t look like it belongs on a barn, though...
I get the frustration with rubber boots, but I wouldn’t write off all the newer composite options just yet. Some of the silicone-based boots are holding up better than the standard EPDM, especially in spots with wild temp swings. They’re not perfect, but I’ve seen fewer splits and less UV damage over five years or so. Metal’s definitely durable, but I’ve run into issues with condensation and rust on a few installs—especially if the flashing wasn’t sealed right. Honestly, nothing’s maintenance-free up there, but there are a few alternatives that don’t look quite as industrial as the old galvanized collars.
- Totally agree on the silicone boots—mine’s lasted through some nasty freeze-thaw cycles without cracking.
- Noticed the same with metal: looks solid, but I got rust stains after a couple years. Maybe I didn’t seal it right?
- Composite ones seem less “clunky” on the roof, but I’m still not sure about long-term UV exposure. Anyone else see fading?
- Swapping them out every season sounds like overkill unless you’ve got a real problem spot... I just keep an eye out after storms.
