I hear you on the upfront cost of copper or zinc strips. I looked into them last year when the north side of my roof started looking like a science experiment. Ended up going with zinc since it was a bit cheaper, and honestly, it’s been solid so far. Not as flashy as copper, but it’s doing the job.
Bleach is tempting for a quick fix, but I’ve had similar plant casualties—my wife still gives me grief about the time I nuked her ferns. The strips are more of a set-it-and-forget-it thing, which is huge if you’re not keen on climbing up there every season. If money’s tight, I’ve seen folks just do a couple short strips near the worst spots instead of the whole ridge. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
Shade really does make it worse, though. My neighbor’s got a big maple that keeps half my roof damp, so I’m always looking for ways to keep the green stuff at bay without breaking the bank.
Zinc’s not bad for the price, but I’ve seen it lose steam after a couple seasons, especially if you get a lot of rain or snow. Copper holds up longer, even if it’s pricier. For folks on a budget, I’ve actually had some luck with those cheap spray-on roof cleaners—just gotta be careful with runoff if you like your landscaping. And yeah, shade’s the real villain here... unless you’re into moss gardens on your roof.
Copper’s definitely the long-haul option, but yeah, that price tag stings. I’ve tried zinc strips too and honestly, they’re decent for a couple years, but after a few heavy winters here in the PNW, they just don’t keep up. Rain seems to wash out whatever magic they have pretty quick.
Those spray-on cleaners are tempting—super easy—but I learned the hard way that runoff can torch your flower beds if you’re not careful. Lost a whole patch of hostas last spring... not fun. If you’re going that route, maybe tarp your plants or rinse everything down after.
Shade really is the main headache though. My north-facing roof gets almost zero sun and it’s like a science experiment up there—algae, moss, you name it. I’ve started trimming back some trees just to get a bit more light on the shingles. Not a perfect fix, but it helps slow things down.
If you’re thinking long-term and don’t mind the upfront cost, copper’s solid. Otherwise, just be ready for some regular maintenance with whatever method you pick.
I get the appeal of copper, but honestly, I just can’t justify dropping that kind of cash for a roof that’s already eating up my budget. I tried the zinc strips too—same story here in western Oregon. They looked promising at first, but after two winters, moss was back like it never left. I’ve actually had better luck with regular broom sweeps and a cheap vinegar solution (just gotta be careful with the plants). Not glamorous, but it keeps things manageable without breaking the bank. Trimming trees helped a bit, but shade’s always gonna be a battle in these parts.
That’s a pretty practical approach, honestly. I see a lot of folks get caught up in the “premium” solutions, but sometimes the basics just work better, especially in damp climates like western Oregon. Copper and zinc can help in theory, but like you said, those strips don’t always live up to the hype—especially under heavy shade and constant moisture. I’ve seen plenty of roofs where moss just shrugs off the metal after a season or two.
Broom sweeps and vinegar are old-school but effective if you keep up with it. Just have to be careful not to damage the shingles or let too much runoff hit the landscaping. Trimming trees is a solid call, even if it only helps a bit. Shade’s tough to beat around here unless you want to clear-cut the yard, which isn’t really an option for most.
Honestly, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things. Sometimes it’s just about staying on top of it rather than expecting a magic fix. If it’s manageable and not hurting the roof, that’s a win in my book.
