- Universal kits... yeah, I’ve got a collection of “universal” parts that weren’t so universal once the wind picked up.
- Step flashing definitely lasts longer, but man, it’s a pain convincing owners to spend a little more up front.
- I’ve seen the cheap kit stuff buckle after one bad freeze/thaw cycle—ends up costing twice as much to fix later.
- If you’re already on the roof, might as well do it right, but easier said than done when budgets are tight.
- Still, I’d rather patch once than babysit leaks every spring... learned that lesson the hard way.
I totally get the struggle with convincing folks to spend a little more up front—my wallet always wants the “universal” stuff, but my attic tells a different story every spring. Has anyone found a kit that actually fits a steep roof without a ton of extra flashing? I tried one last winter and it looked fine… until the first freeze-thaw. Ended up with water stains on the ceiling and a repair bill that made me wish I’d just paid for the better flashing. Is there a middle ground between “budget” and “actually works”?
Is there a middle ground between “budget” and “actually works”?
Honestly, with steep roofs, “universal” kits rarely seal well without custom flashing. I’ve seen too many installs where the flashing just can’t conform to the pitch, especially after a freeze-thaw cycle. Some mid-range brands offer adjustable flashing, but it’s still not perfect—especially if your shingles are thick or you’ve got architectural asphalt. I’d say, if you’re in a climate with big temp swings, it’s worth hunting down a kit that’s specifically rated for steep slopes, even if it means spending a bit more. Otherwise, you’re just rolling the dice with leaks.
Some mid-range brands offer adjustable flashing, but it’s still not perfect—especially if your shingles are thick or you’ve got architectural asphalt.
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. Adjustable flashing sounds good in theory, but once you’re dealing with those chunky architectural shingles, it just never seems to sit right. I’ve had to add extra sealant or even fabricate a bit of custom flashing on the spot. If you’re in an area with lots of freeze-thaw, even a small gap can turn into a headache. Sometimes paying a little more upfront for a kit that’s made for your roof type saves a lot of hassle later.
I ran into the same thing last year when I put in a solar attic fan. My shingles are those thick architectural ones, and the adjustable flashing just would not sit flush no matter how much I fiddled with it. Ended up cutting and bending some aluminum flashing to fill the gaps, then loaded up on sealant. It’s holding up so far, but I’m always a little paranoid when we get those heavy spring rains. In hindsight, I probably should’ve just spent the extra for a flashing kit made specifically for my shingle type, but I was trying to keep costs down. Sometimes being frugal backfires a bit...
