I get the appeal of eco-friendly options, but honestly, the ones I’ve tried haven’t held up at all.
I hear you on the durability concerns, especially with Midwest winters. But not all green vent boots are created equal—some of the newer silicone-based ones actually outlast the standard rubber, and they’re recyclable. I swapped mine three years back and so far, zero leaks, even after a couple nasty freeze-thaw cycles. It’s all about picking the right material for your climate. The cheap “eco” stuff is basically asking for trouble, but there are solid options if you dig a bit.
It’s all about picking the right material for your climate. The cheap “eco” stuff is basically asking for trouble, but there are solid options if you dig a bit.
That’s fair, but I’ve gotta admit, even some of the “good” silicone boots I tried last year got stiff and cracked after one brutal cold snap (northern Illinois here). Maybe I just got a dud batch? Or maybe my install wasn’t perfect—rookie mistake, wouldn’t be the first time. I do like the idea of recyclable materials, but man, nothing beats old-school lead for just not giving up. Anyone else have better luck with the newer stuff in real winter?
I’ve run into the same thing with silicone boots up here in Wisconsin—one polar vortex and they’re toast. I used to think it was just the cheap ones, but even the pricier brands got brittle on me after a couple seasons. I’m starting to wonder if it’s not just the material, but also how tight you clamp them down or what kind of sealant you use around the base. I’ve seen guys overtighten and the boot splits way faster.
Honestly, lead is ugly but it’s hard to argue with how long it lasts. I’ve got a couple on a 30-year-old section of roof that are still going strong, just a little dented from squirrels. The only thing that’s ever really failed was the flashing underneath, not the boot itself.
For anyone sticking with the newer stuff, have you tried those combo boots with a stainless base and a flexible collar? I put one on a south-facing vent last fall as a test. It’s held up so far, but we’ll see after another winter. The install was a bit trickier—lining up the collar and getting a good bead of sealant under the flange made a difference, I think. I also hit the seams with a little extra high-grade caulk just in case.
One thing I’m curious about: has anyone noticed if roof pitch or attic ventilation makes a difference in how these things hold up? My steeper roofs seem to have fewer issues, maybe because snow slides off faster and doesn’t freeze around the boot as long. Or maybe it’s just luck.
If anyone’s had luck with a specific brand or install trick that actually survives Midwest winters, I’d love to hear it. At this point, swapping boots every couple years is getting old...
I’ve noticed the same thing with roof pitch—my 10/12 shed roof barely ever has ice damming, and the boots seem to last a bit longer there. On the low-slope part over my porch, though, I’m swapping them out almost every other year. I do wonder if attic insulation plays a role too, since warmer attics might melt snow faster and refreeze it around the boot. Anyone else seen differences between vent locations on the same house?
- My house has a steep main roof (maybe 9/12?) and a flatter back addition. The boots on the steep part have lasted at least 8 years—still look decent.
- The low-slope section is a pain though. Boots there start cracking after maybe 2 winters. I think snow sits longer and water just pools up, especially after a freeze-thaw cycle.
- Attic insulation definitely matters. Before I beefed up the blown-in insulation, I had way more ice damming and leaks around the boots.
- It’s not just pitch, either—sun exposure seems to age the rubber faster on the south side for me.
- Swapping boots isn’t hard, but it’s annoying when you’re trying to save money... I’d rather spend on insulation and ventilation than keep buying new boots every couple years.