Universal kit, huh? I fell for that marketing too. Mine claimed it’d fit “any roof,” but apparently my 1950s ranch is the exception. Ended up with a gap big enough to let in a family of squirrels, and the only thing universal was the mess I made with the caulk gun. I swear, I spent more time running to the hardware store than actually installing the fan.
Ever try to get those peel-and-stick patches to lay flat on old, bumpy shingles? It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a basketball. I thought I’d nailed it until the first thunderstorm—then it was drip city right above my kitchen table. At this point, I just keep a roll of towels handy and pretend it’s “character.”
Is it just me, or do these projects always end up being twice as complicated as the YouTube videos make them look? Maybe next time I’ll just pay someone... or at least invest in better rain boots.
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually had a smoother time with my install—though my roof’s only about 10 years old and pretty flat. I did skip the universal kit and went with a local supplier who knew our climate. Maybe that made the difference? Those YouTube videos definitely gloss over the weird stuff you find on older houses, though. Sometimes I wonder if going with a green roof system would’ve saved me some headaches in the long run... less patching, more insulation, and no squirrel-sized gaps.
I get what you mean about the YouTube videos—my 1950s bungalow had way more surprises than I expected.
Did you ever look into any green roof options that work for colder climates? I’ve heard mixed things about weight and drainage, especially if your house isn’t newer.Sometimes I wonder if going with a green roof system would’ve saved me some headaches in the long run... less patching, more insulation, and no squirrel-sized gaps.
Green roofs sounded cool until I saw the price tag and started picturing my old rafters waving a little white flag. I did poke around—there are “extensive” systems that are lighter, but even those can add a lot of weight. Plus, with our freeze-thaw cycles, I kept hearing horror stories about drainage mats icing up. If your house is anything like mine (aka built before insulation was a thing), might be more trouble than it’s worth unless you’re ready to reinforce everything and shell out some serious cash. I ended up just stuffing more insulation in the attic and calling it a day… squirrels still find their way in somehow.
I get where you’re coming from—older houses can be a wild card, especially with all the weird surprises hiding in the rafters. But I’ve seen some folks reinforce just a section of their roof for a smaller green roof, sort of like a test run. Ever think about a modular setup, or is the freeze-thaw thing just too much hassle where you are? Curious if anyone’s tried pairing that with solar attic fans—seems like it could help with moisture and temp swings.
