Roof Valleys Explained: Open vs. Closed vs. Woven
Open metal, closed-cut and woven roof valleys compared: how each works, what goes underneath, why valleys leak, and what a valley repair costs in Tulsa.
The short answer: Valleys carry more water than any other part of a roof. Open metal valleys move water and debris best; closed-cut valleys are the most common clean look for architectural shingles; woven valleys suit older 3-tab roofs. Every valley should have ice-and-water membrane underneath. A valley repair or rebuild in Tulsa typically runs $900 to $2,200.
In this guide 14 sections
- Why Valleys Matter So Much
- The Three Types of Roof Valleys
- Open Metal Valleys
- Closed-Cut Valleys
- Woven Valleys
- What Goes Under the Valley
- Signs Your Valley Needs Attention
- Valley Repair vs. Rebuild
- Typical Valley Problems We Find in Tulsa
- Valley Best Practices on a New Roof
- Valley Material Options
- Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Valleys
- Get Your Valleys Checked
- Related Reading
A roof valley is the inside corner where two roof planes meet. It looks like a small detail from the street, but it carries more water than any other part of the roof. During a Tulsa downpour, everything that lands on two slopes funnels down that one line.
That's why valleys are one of the most common places for roofs to leak, and why the way a valley is built matters. There are three main methods: open metal valleys, closed-cut valleys, and woven valleys. Each has a place, and each fails in its own way when it's done wrong.
This guide explains how open and closed roof valleys work, the pros and cons of each, what goes underneath, and the signs your valley needs attention.
Why Valleys Matter So Much
Think of a valley as a gutter running down the roof. Two planes of shingles drain into it, and on a big roof that can be hundreds of square feet of water heading for one narrow line. Debris collects there too: leaves, pine needles, granules and sweetgum balls slow the water and hold moisture against the shingles.
When a valley is underbuilt, water gets under the shingles at the edges, runs along the decking, and shows up as a stain on a ceiling or an interior wall below where two roof slopes come together.
The Three Types of Roof Valleys
| Open metal valley | Closed-cut valley | Woven valley | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you see | A strip of exposed metal down the valley | Shingles from one side cover the valley; the other side is cut in a clean line | Shingles from both sides interlace across the valley |
| Water handling | Excellent; metal sheds water and debris fast | Good, when built over proper underlayment | Good on low-volume valleys |
| Look | Visible metal line; can be painted or copper | Clean, modern, most common look | Traditional, slightly bulky |
| Works with architectural shingles? | Yes | Yes (manufacturer-approved method) | Not recommended by most manufacturers |
| Best for | High-water valleys, heavy tree cover, metal accents | Most Tulsa homes with architectural shingles | 3-tab roofs with small valleys |
Open Metal Valleys
In an open valley, a sheet of metal runs the full length of the valley, and the shingles on both sides are trimmed back so the metal is exposed down the center. Water and debris slide down the smooth metal instead of working through shingle edges.
Pros
- Moves the most water and sheds debris best
- Lasts as long as or longer than the shingles
- Can be a design feature, especially in copper or a matching painted metal
Cons
- More labor to install and slightly more cost
- The metal has to be the right gauge and properly secured, or it can buckle with heat
We bend valley metal in our own sheet metal shop, sized to each valley instead of forced from stock pieces. Copper valleys are a popular upgrade on Midtown and South Tulsa homes. See our sheet metal shop.
Closed-Cut Valleys
In a closed-cut valley, shingles from one roof plane run across the valley and up the other side. Shingles from the second plane are laid over them and cut in a straight line a couple of inches from the valley center. It's the most common valley on Tulsa homes with architectural shingles, and it's an approved method for most major shingle lines.
Pros
- Clean, uninterrupted look
- Fast to install
- Works well with architectural shingles
Cons
- Depends entirely on what's underneath; the underlayment has to be right
- The cut edge needs to be sealed and the top corners clipped so water doesn't run under the shingles
- Debris can catch along the cut line
Woven Valleys
In a woven valley, shingles from both slopes are interlaced across the valley as each course goes on. It was common on 3-tab roofs. Thicker architectural shingles don't lie flat when woven, so most manufacturers don't recommend it for them.
What Goes Under the Valley
Whatever style you see on top, the valley's real protection is underneath. A properly built valley gets:
- Ice-and-water membrane down the full length of the valley. It's a self-adhering membrane that seals around nails and is the last line of defense if water gets past the shingles. See what ice-and-water shield does.
- Underlayment lapped correctly over the membrane, not under it
- No nails near the valley center, where water runs heaviest
Skipping the membrane in valleys to save a few dollars is one of the most common shortcuts we see on cheap roofs, and one of the most common causes of valley leaks.
Signs Your Valley Needs Attention
- Ceiling or wall stains below where two roof planes meet
- Shingles at the valley edges lifting, curling or missing
- Granule buildup or debris that stays in the valley after rain
- Rust, cracks or buckling in an open metal valley
- Water overflowing the gutter right below a valley
That last one is often a gutter issue, not a valley issue. A valley sends a rush of water into one corner of the gutter. A splash guard or a larger gutter usually fixes it; see 5-inch vs. 6-inch gutters.
Valley Repair vs. Rebuild
Small valley problems, like a lifted shingle or a short section of sealant, can be repaired. A valley that's leaking along its length usually needs to be rebuilt: shingles removed from both sides, damaged decking replaced, new membrane and metal installed, and the shingles relaid. In Tulsa that typically runs $900 to $2,200 depending on length and decking. More in our roof repair cost guide.
If the rest of the roof is near the end of its life, it often makes more sense to rebuild the valleys as part of a full replacement.
Typical Valley Problems We Find in Tulsa
The closed valley with no membrane
A roof installed quickly, with closed-cut valleys and no ice-and-water membrane underneath. It worked for years until the shingle edges aged and a heavy storm pushed water under them. The stain shows up on an interior wall where two roof slopes meet. The fix is a valley rebuild with proper membrane.
The valley full of pine needles
Under a big pine, a valley collects needles that mat into a dam. Water backs up behind it and works under the shingles. Cleaning helps, but an open metal valley, or simply trimming the tree back, solves it longer-term.
The rusted metal valley
On some older Tulsa homes, galvanized valley metal has rusted through after decades. Replacing it with aluminum, painted steel or copper restores the valley and often looks better too.
Valley Best Practices on a New Roof
- Ice-and-water membrane down every valley, centered and full length
- No fasteners within several inches of the valley center
- Shingle edges on closed-cut valleys clipped at the top corner and sealed
- Correct metal gauge and fastening on open valleys
- A cricket behind chimneys that sit in the path of a valley's water
- Gutters below the valley sized and protected for the surge
Valley Material Options
| Material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | Lightweight, doesn't rust, cost-effective |
| Painted steel | Strong; color can match trim or roof |
| Galvanized steel | Durable but can rust over decades once the coating wears |
| Copper | Premium, very long life, weathers to a patina |
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Valleys
Which is better, an open or closed roof valley?
Both work when built correctly. Open metal valleys move water and debris best and suit high-water valleys and heavy tree cover. Closed-cut valleys are the most common clean look for architectural shingles.
Why do roof valleys leak?
Valleys carry more water than any other part of the roof. They leak when the underlayment is missing or wrong, nails are placed near the center, debris builds up, or shingle edges aren't sealed and clipped.
Do valleys need ice-and-water shield?
Yes. A self-adhering membrane down the full length of each valley is standard practice and is required by most manufacturers' installation instructions.
Can I have copper valleys with shingles?
Yes. Copper open valleys pair well with architectural and designer shingles and last for decades.
How much does it cost to fix a roof valley?
In the Tulsa area, a valley repair or rebuild typically runs $900 to $2,200, depending on the valley's length and how much decking needs replacing.
Get Your Valleys Checked
Valleys are on every inspection we do, because that's where so many leaks start. When you book a free inspection, we check every valley, photograph what we find, and tell you whether it needs a repair, a rebuild, or nothing at all. If it does need work, valley metal comes from our own shop. See our roof repair page for more.
We work across Tulsa, Midtown, South Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks and Bixby.
Related Reading
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Sources and disclaimer. Information in this article comes from manufacturer documentation for the products named and RainTech’s own installation experience in Oklahoma. It was current as of September 27, 2026; laws, insurance rules, manufacturer terms and prices change. This article is general information, not legal, insurance, tax or financial advice.
