Couldn’t agree more about the “set it and forget it” myth—people want to believe it, but it just doesn’t hold up. I’ve managed a few properties where folks insisted their “fireproof” vents meant they could ignore the roof for years. Fast forward to a surprise inspection, and you’d be amazed at what collects up there—bird nests, wasp hives, even a plastic grocery bag once. It’s wild what the wind can carry.
One thing I’d add: vents are just one piece of the puzzle. I see a lot of focus on the latest vent tech, but if your gutters are packed with needles or your roof valleys are full of debris, you’re still at risk. I’ve seen embers skip right past the vents and catch on a pile of leaves in a corner. Maintenance has to be holistic, not just a checklist item.
I do wonder, though, if we’re putting too much faith in these “wildfire-rated” products. Sure, they help, but I’ve seen mesh screens warp after a couple seasons of sun and rain, especially on south-facing roofs. Once that happens, you’re back to square one. Maybe the real answer is more frequent checks, not just relying on the gear.
And let’s be honest—most folks don’t want to climb a ladder twice a year. I get it. But the alternative is way worse. I had a tenant who ignored a small gap in their vent, and by the time we caught it, squirrels had moved in and chewed through half the insulation. Not exactly the kind of “wildlife” you want in a wildfire zone.
Bottom line, I think the idea of a truly “wildfire-proof” neighborhood is a bit of a fantasy unless everyone’s on board with regular upkeep. Even the best systems need eyes on them. Otherwise, you’re just rolling the dice and hoping for the best.
You nailed it—maintenance is never just a one-and-done thing, no matter how “fireproof” the product claims to be. I’ve seen mesh screens on my place go brittle after just two summers. It’s a pain, but regular checks really do catch stuff before it gets out of hand. I wish there was an easier way, but so far, nothing beats just keeping an eye on things.
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing with mesh—UV exposure just wrecks it way faster than you’d expect. I’ve started using stainless steel mesh for vents, but even then, the frame or fasteners can go before the screen itself. Maintenance is a pain, but honestly, it’s still less hassle than dealing with embers getting in. I do wish there was a more set-and-forget solution, but nothing’s really lived up to that yet...
I’ve started using stainless steel mesh for vents, but even then, the frame or fasteners can go before the screen itself. Maintenance is a pain, but honestly, it’s still less hassle than dealing with embers getting in.
That’s fair, but I’ve actually had more headaches with stainless mesh than with some of the newer coated aluminum options. Stainless holds up to heat, sure, but in coastal areas or anywhere with salt in the air, it can pit and rust faster than you’d think—especially if the frame is a different metal and you get galvanic corrosion. I’ve seen screens that looked fine from the ground but were basically falling apart at the seams when I got up there for a re-roof.
The UV breakdown is a real pain either way. I’ve tried powder-coated aluminum mesh on a few jobs, and it seems to last longer before getting brittle or letting go at the fasteners. The trick is making sure the fasteners are also coated or stainless—otherwise you just end up with rust streaks down your siding after a couple wet seasons.
Honestly, I’m not convinced there’s a true “set-and-forget” option for vents in wildfire zones. Everything needs eyes on it every couple years, minimum. The only thing that’s come close for me is using fire-rated vent assemblies that have intumescent material built in—they’re pricey, but they self-seal under heat and don’t rely on mesh alone. Not perfect, but less maintenance than swapping mesh every few years.
Wish there was a magic bullet, but so far it’s just picking your battles between cost, durability, and how much time you want to spend on a ladder.
Yeah, I’ve run into the same issues with stainless mesh, especially near the coast. The first time I saw rust on what was supposed to be “lifetime” material, I thought I’d messed up the install somehow. Turns out, it’s just the salt air doing its thing. Powder-coated aluminum has held up better for me too, but like you said, if you cheap out on fasteners, you’re just trading one problem for another. Those intumescent vents are a game changer, but man, the price tag stings when you’re budgeting for a whole building. Still, after crawling around in attics replacing mesh every few years, I’m starting to think they might be worth it in the long run...
