Flashing around vents does help with moisture, but honestly, it’s not a magic fix for condensation. That’s usually more about airflow—if your attic can’t breathe, you’ll get those cold-weather drips no matter how tight the flashing is. I’ve seen people go overboard sealing everything up and actually make the moisture problem worse. As for rust-proof mesh, I’ve tried the galvanized stuff and it holds up way better than the basic hardware store rolls. The upfront cost stings, but swapping out rusty mesh every year is just a pain. Has anyone here actually had luck with stainless, or is that overkill for most climates?
You’re spot on about airflow being the real key. I’ve seen folks seal up every crack thinking they’re stopping leaks, but then they call me about attic rain... it’s almost always poor ventilation. Galvanized mesh is a solid pick—I usually see it outlast the cheaper stuff by years. Stainless is pricey, but in coastal areas or spots with a lot of snow melt, it can be worth it. For most people though, galvanized does the trick if you keep an eye on it. Good job dialing in those temps—getting that balance right isn’t easy.
- Totally agree, airflow made the biggest difference for me too.
- I went with galvanized mesh since stainless was out of my budget—so far, no rust, but I’m in a pretty dry area.
- Learned the hard way that over-sealing actually trapped moisture... had to redo some insulation after that.
- Still checking vents every few months, just in case. It’s a bit of a hassle but worth it.
Learned the hard way that over-sealing actually trapped moisture... had to redo some insulation after that.
That’s a common one—people think more sealing is always better, but attics really need to breathe. Did you notice any mold, or was it just damp insulation? I’ve seen folks in humid zones get major ceiling stains from that. Curious if you’re in a colder climate or more temperate? Sometimes vent placement makes a surprising difference too.
Yeah, I’ve seen that mistake more times than I can count—people just go wild with the spray foam or caulk, thinking it’ll solve all their problems. But you’re right, attics need airflow. Otherwise you’re basically inviting trouble. In my case, I did a job last winter where the homeowner sealed up every gap they could find, even around the soffit vents. Next thing they knew, the insulation was soggy and there was this musty smell creeping into the upstairs hallway. No visible mold yet, but it was only a matter of time.
I’m in a region that gets cold winters and humid summers, so it’s a double whammy—ice dams if things aren’t vented right in January, then condensation and dampness when things warm up. What really made a difference for us was making sure the soffit and ridge vents were clear and actually connected by baffles. A lot of folks skip those baffles or think they’re optional, but honestly, they keep the air moving where it needs to go. Without them, insulation just blocks the airflow entirely.
Funny thing is, I used to be on team “seal everything,” too. But after seeing how quickly moisture builds up—even in what seems like a dry attic—I changed my tune. It’s not about having zero drafts; it’s about letting your house breathe in the right places. I’d rather deal with a tiny bit of heat loss than have to rip out moldy insulation or worse, replace rotten roof decking.
One thing I still see people mess up is vent placement. You can have all the vents in the world, but if they’re not set up to create real airflow (like soffits paired with ridge or gable vents), you’re just wasting time and money. And if you live somewhere humid? Even more important to get that balance right.
Anyway, just my two cents from working on a bunch of these over the past couple years. It’s easy to overthink it, but sometimes less is actually more when it comes to sealing up an attic.
