Metal boots on a green roof? That’s asking for trouble unless you’re using stainless or something with a serious coating. I’ve seen galvanized ones start rusting in just a couple years when there’s constant moisture from sedum or moss. Honestly, if you’re committed to a living roof, stick with high-quality EPDM or silicone boots and just budget for replacements. Metal’s great for bare roofs, but it’s not magic—especially when plants and water are involved.
Swapping boots every season seems like overkill, honestly. Most folks I’ve seen just use a good EPDM or silicone boot and keep an eye on it—maybe check for cracking or leaks after winter and again in late summer. Metal’s a gamble with all that moisture from a green roof. Had a client with galvanized boots rot out in under three years... not worth the hassle or cost, in my book. Just budget for a solid replacement schedule and regular inspections.
Metal’s a gamble with all that moisture from a green roof. Had a client with galvanized boots rot out in under three years... not worth the hassle or cost, in my book.
That’s wild—three years is way less than I’d expect for metal. I’ve always wondered if the extra cost of those “lifetime” boots is actually worth it, but your point about regular inspections makes sense. I’m in a pretty wet climate too, so I just stick with silicone and check them when I’m up there cleaning gutters. Have you ever tried those retrofit split boots? Curious if they hold up any better or just another gimmick.
I’ve put in a few of those split boots on jobs where pulling the vent wasn’t an option. Honestly, they’re not magic, but they do the trick if you install them right and keep up with sealant. I’ve seen them last 5+ years in our rainy northwest weather, which is better than some of the cheap metal ones. Still, nothing’s really “set and forget” with all this moisture—just gotta keep an eye out for cracks or gaps.
Still, nothing’s really “set and forget” with all this moisture—just gotta keep an eye out for cracks or gaps.
That’s the key right there. I’ve seen split boots hold up, but only when folks actually check them every year or two. In my experience, even the pricier ones can start leaking if you let sealant go bad. Northwest weather just eats away at everything eventually. I wouldn’t call swapping them out “worth the hassle” unless you’re already seeing signs of trouble—sometimes a little maintenance goes further than a full replacement.
