"Copper mesh doesn't rust, and rodents hate chewing through it just as much."
Good point about copper mesh—I switched to it last year after noticing the stainless steel wool I used around my bathroom pipes started breaking down surprisingly fast. Maybe it was just constant humidity or condensation, but it definitely didn't hold up like I'd hoped. Copper mesh has been holding up way better so far, plus expanding foam behind escutcheons made a huge difference for sealing larger openings neatly. Worth the extra few bucks, imo.
Copper mesh is solid, but I've had decent luck with aluminum screen material too. Had a rental property where copper mesh kept disappearing—turns out tenants were pulling it out for scrap... aluminum solved that issue and rodents still stayed away. Just another angle to consider.
"Had a rental property where copper mesh kept disappearing—turns out tenants were pulling it out for scrap..."
Yeah, I've run into that exact issue before. Aluminum's definitely a solid workaround, cheaper and less tempting for scrappers. Just keep in mind, aluminum can corrode faster in wet areas, especially around plumbing fixtures. So if you're using it near pipes or drains, you might wanna check it periodically to avoid surprises down the line.
Yeah, aluminum mesh can work pretty well, but have you considered stainless steel? It's pricier upfront, but holds up way better against corrosion. Might save you headaches later on, especially in damp spots...
Used aluminum mesh a few times myself, and honestly, it held up fine... but had one job near the coast where corrosion kicked in pretty quick. Stainless steel would've probably saved me that callback. Ever dealt with saltwater exposure?
