Landscape and Urban Design Issue 45 2020 | Page 49

DECKING
Trex Protect is a self-adhesive butyl
tape available in two widths – 40mm
x 20m for joists and 100mm x 20m
for bearers. Designed specifically for
use on decks, it works on horizontal
and vertical surfaces and is applied
as a “cap” (vs. wrapping), which
allows the timber to breathe. The
peel-and-stick application is simple
and requires almost no trimming.
The tape lies directly on the boards
and requires minimal cuts and little
overlap making installation a breeze.
Furthermore, the butyl adhesive
is super sticky, yet pliable, which
allows it to create a tight seal around
fasteners to prevent water from
infiltrating screw holes. It doesn’t dry
out or curl up like other construction
tapes and performs extremely well
in a wide range of temperatures. Trex
Protect tape also features a non-skid
surface, making it easier and safer to
walk across during construction. This
non-slip coating helps to prevent
falls which are one of the most
common potential hazards of deck
construction.
Prolong the Life of Studwork
The U.K. receives more than its fair
share of precipitation, and these wet,
rainy days can wreak havoc on the
substructure of a deck. Easily one
of timber’s worst enemies, moisture
contributes to mould growth and can
accelerate structural deterioration.
When joists and beams are exposed,
water seeps into screw holes and sits
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 concerns.
This is especially important if a
homeowner is investing in premium,
composite decking, such as Trex,
which is engineered and warrantied
to last for several decades. It’s
only logical that a customer will
expect the substructure to last just
as long. Unfortunately, that’s not
always the case when working with
timber. In fact, a recent survey of
builders revealed that nearly all
timber substructures show signs of
splitting, rotting or decaying after
just eight years.
If a complete drainage system is not
viable for a deck project, it is still
important to protect the studwork
from moisture penetration that can
lead to rot and deterioration over
time. Deck flashing tape is designed
to shield the tops of timber joists,
rim joists, bearers and ledger boards
from water damage. It also acts as
a moisture barrier between wood
and galvanized metal and helps
deck screws and fasteners hold
longer and stronger for enhanced
structural integrity.
My go-to product is Trex® Protect™
Joist and Bearer Tape. I use it on
every deck I build – no matter the
size or design – because I want my
decks to last.
Drive Customer Satisfaction and
Referrals
Sometimes it’s what clients don’t
see that makes all the difference.
Trex RainEscape and Trex Protect
are products that sell themselves
by adding considerable function,
protection and value to a deck
without adding a lot of time or cost.
For homeowners, this translates into
increased satisfaction and return
on investment. For builders, they
are great ways to boost revenue and
referrals. I recommend one or the
other to all of my customers and can
tell you from my own experience,
these minor add-ons can have a
major impact on your bottom line.
For more information, visit
www.trexrainescape.com and
www.trexprotect.com/uk
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www.landud.co.uk 49