With all the rain we get, I’d probably lean toward traditional flashing too, just for peace of mind.
I hear you, but I keep looking at the price difference. Traditional flashing adds up fast, especially if you’re covering a big roof. Has anyone had luck with deck mounts on asphalt shingles in wet climates? Or is it just not worth the risk long-term?
- Been there, sweating over the quote for traditional flashing... then looking at my wallet and thinking, “Eh, maybe deck mounts aren’t so bad?”
- My neighbor did deck mounts on his 5-year-old asphalt roof (we’re in the PNW, so rain is basically a sport here). Two years in—no leaks yet, but he’s also a “caulk everything” kind of guy.
- I cheaped out once on a bathroom vent flashing and paid for it with a soggy ceiling. Not solar, but still...
- Personally, I’d rather overkill it with flashing than play roof roulette, but I totally get why people roll the dice.
- If you do go deck mount, maybe keep an eye out for new stains in the attic. That’s my plan if I ever get brave (or broke) enough to try it.
- Seen a lot of deck mounts hold up fine for a few years, but once that sealant starts to age or the roof shifts a bit, leaks can sneak in—especially with heavy PNW rain.
- Had a client with composite shingles and deck mounts—looked great at install, but after three winters, water found its way in around two mounts. Ended up patching the sheathing and redoing the flashing anyway.
- I get why folks go for the faster, cheaper option, but if you’re already investing in solar, traditional flashing is just less stress long-term.
- If you do go deck mount, really check those seals every season... caulk’s not magic forever.
If you do go deck mount, really check those seals every season... caulk’s not magic forever.
That’s spot on. I’ve inspected a fair number of homes where deck mounts looked fine from the attic for a year or two, but then you start seeing those telltale water stains around the fasteners. Especially up here in the PNW—rain just finds every weak spot eventually.
I get why people like the idea of deck mounts: less time on install, less disruption to the shingles, and it looks cleaner at first glance. But honestly, once that sealant starts to break down (and it always does), you’re relying on regular maintenance to catch issues before they turn into real damage. Most homeowners just don’t get up there and check as often as they should.
Traditional flashing is more work upfront, but it’s a proven system. Water gets redirected away from the penetration instead of just hoping the sealant holds. I’ve seen 15-year-old flashings still doing their job with zero leaks, while deck mounts from five years ago are already causing headaches.
One thing I will say—if someone’s set on deck mounts, at least use high-quality sealants and follow up every year. But if you’re already spending thousands on solar, it seems worth it to go with something that’ll last as long as your panels. The cost difference isn’t huge compared to what you might pay for repairs down the line.
Had a client last fall who thought they’d save a few bucks with deck mounts. By year four, they had to replace a section of sheathing and some insulation after a slow leak went unnoticed. Not fun.
Just my two cents—sometimes “faster and cheaper” ends up being neither in the long run.
Deck mounts always make me a little nervous, especially after seeing what wind-driven rain can do over time. I get the appeal—less hassle up front, looks tidy—but I’ve patched too many ceilings where a “quick install” turned into a slow leak. If you’re in a spot with heavy storms or wild temperature swings, those seals just don’t hold up forever. Flashing’s a pain to install, sure, but it’s saved my bacon more than once. If you’re not the type to climb up and check every year, I’d lean toward flashing, even if it means a bit more work now.