The smartest (and simplest) investment you can make in a deck project

It’s common knowledge that oil and water don’t mix but, as any deck builder knows, the same can be said for wood and water. Easily one of wood’s worst enemies, moisture contributes to mold growth and rot, which can lead to accelerated structural deterioration. For anyone in the deck-building business, this is cause for concern.

Regardless of the material used on a deck’s surface, the vast majority of substructures today are built with wood. If not properly protected, that wood can begin to show signs of splitting, rotting, and decay in as little as eight years, according to research conducted with professional deck builders*. This is because substructures are typically subjected to the outdoor elements year-round, making them highly susceptible to moisture.?

When joists and beams are left exposed, water can seep into screw holes and sit on the wood, causing it to rot and the screws to rust. Additionally, the natural expansion and contraction of wood due to seasonal freezing and thawing can cause beams to split and weaken over time, posing serious safety issues.

An easy way to prevent these issues is to seal deck joists and beams with waterproof flashing tape. This cost-effective solution effectively shields wooden joinery from water penetration, thereby protecting the structural integrity and life of a deck’s foundation.?

The following are five key benefits of deck flashing tape:

1. Creates a Moisture Barrier Applying a deck flashing tape shields the tops of joists, rim joists, beams, and the ledger board from moisture. It also seals around screw penetrations and acts as a barrier between wood and galvanized metal commonly used in construction hardware, such as joist hangers.
2. Holds Screws in Place A butyl-based flashing tape, like Trex? Protect, applied on top of joists and beams effectively seals deck fasteners and helps screws hold longer and stronger by preventing moisture penetration and defending against splitting due to seasonal freezing and thawing.
3. Easy to Apply Flashing tapes typically come in a peel-and-stick format, making them easy to apply. Look for tape that lies directly on the boards with minimal overlap; this means fewer cuts. Better yet, find a tape that has a non-skid surface making it safer for the installer to walk across during application.
4. Affordable To protect an average-size 20’ x 12’ deck with flashing tape costs around $200, making it a no-brainer for homeowners and contractors who want to ensure that the substructure lasts as long as the decking it supports. It makes especially good sense for protecting the foundations of today’s high-performance composite decks that are warrantied to last 25-plus years.
5. Delivers a Meaningful ROI Adding a deck to a home is a smart investment. On average, a homeowner can expect to recoup around 83% of the cost of building a new wood deck and 68% of a composite deck** when the time comes to sell a home. Using deck flashing tape like Trex Protect helps to extend the life of the deck substructure, ensuring homeowners can maximize their return on investment. Building a top-quality deck that is guaranteed to last also gives customers peace of mind and satisfaction that can lead to referrals and more business for you.

Deck flashing tape typically comes in two types: asphalt and butyl. Butyl tape has many advantages over asphalt-based tape, starting with the fact that butyl tape is a sealant as opposed to a patch. It’s “rubberier” than asphalt-based tape with an adhesive that flows around screw holes to create a waterproof seal, so the water stays away from the wood. Butyl is also stickier than asphalt tape, has less high-temperature oozing and can be applied in a wide range of temperatures. Overall, butyl tape has a longer life than asphalt tape, which starts to break down with repeated exposure to sunlight. Butyl tape, on the other hand, can withstand the test of time.?

While there are several brands of joist tape available on the market, Trex Protect is the only one that comes with a 25-year warranty, ensuring the substructure remains durable for the full lifespan of the deck. Available in three widths—1-5/8”, 3-1/8” and 11”—Trex Protect works on horizontal and vertical surfaces, including all joists, rim joists, beams, steps, stair stringers, blocking, ledger board, and under joists hangers. It is applied as a “cap” (vs. wrapping), which allows wood to breathe and naturally expand and contract without compromising its watertight seal.

So, by investing just a few extra dollars and hours in applying waterproof flashing tape, you can safeguard your hard work and increase client satisfaction and ROI by extending the life of every deck you build. For more information about how to protect a deck from moisture damage, visit www.trexprotect.com.

Based on a survey of 100+ builders conducted by Dri-Deck Enterprises, LLC *Based on?Remodeling Magazine’s 2024 Cost Vs. Value Report?