Joist tape under decking

[etherhuffer]

Both Camo and Trex have joist tape for decks. Anyone have thoughts on these products? Seattle is wet, would rather have dry joists.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have 4" sticky tape meant for window installation. I slice into 2" strips and use that. I like the idea of protecting the top of the joist.

 

[PCustoms]

Pulled up 30+ year old decking last year on my covered porch. Other then some mechanical damage (large cuts from mill?) joists were in great shape.

Threw some off brand joist tape down as I layed new decking.

Idk, can't hurt?

 

[karoc]

I used some leftover paint I had to help protect the top. But I know that once screw breaks that layer of protection it probably will leak. My way getting rid of unused paint.

 

[Innovate1]

I pulled up some trex like (a different brand) decking that was about 18 years old and the screw holes were mostly soft. The rest of the joists looked solid. The planks were screwed through the planks - not the between plank clips like most have today. Original installers put the boards almost together and the spaces would fill up with bird seed and other junk and not allow water through so I ended up taking up every other board and cutting down the width slightly before putting them back down. From what I found I think joist tape would be a good idea. Protect the top of posts where water may sit too. We have post caps as part of the railing system so thinking more of the deck support posts that are just under the deck surface. Cut the top at an angle or cover them with something - haven't seen anything on doing that but seems like a good idea.

 

[mike93lx]

I used tape for the deck on a tree house a couple years ago. I'll set a reminder to share feedback in 20ish years

I'm a fan of the idea, especially with the less effective PT chemicals used today

 

[jar944]

There is no reason not add tape. Keeping water off the tops of the joists is a good idea, even more so with pt that will rot.

I used this for my deck, with epdm rubber.

 

[CraigStu]

I used whatever the lumber yard provided w/ the plastic deck boards. The sticky stuff seemed to be extra thick. I had the feeling that it would somewhat self heal from the puncture of the deck screws. IDK for sure but I will be using it in the future too.

 

[cgrutt]

I've never used it but have demoed enough decks to think it probably is a good idea. If its new construction I'd recommend sealing all the end cuts with a copper naphthenate based product (assuming you're using pressure treated lumber). Last project I worked on we sealed all the end cuts and actually bought the joist tape but we forgot to tape the joists haha. Four guys working and owner (who was one of the workers) wanted job done ASAP and we all forgot about the tape.

 

[JSutter]

Anything to protect the framing is a good idea. I would argue a deck finished with composite products needs it. These companies basically claim their decking lasts forever. The tapes, coverings, and coatings help the wood last as long as possible. Rot *****.

 

[etherhuffer]

Yes, the copper has been liberally applied. Hard to find here but a lumber yard had some

 

[Kaizen]

i bought one roll of that tape for some stairs. No way i am paying that cost for a newish product that make claims 20 years out. And i was buying the trex decking so i know i'm not cheap. just insane pricing. i had some leftover door and window stuff i used instead.

 

[jar944]

i bought one roll of that tape for some stairs. No way i am paying that cost for a newish product that make claims 20 years out. And i was buying the trex decking so i know i'm not cheap. just insane pricing. i had some leftover door and window stuff i used instead.

The price is marginal compared to everything else. Iirc joist tape was 2% of the material cost.

 

[danfromsyr]

Pulled up 30+ year old decking last year on my covered porch. Other then some mechanical damage (large cuts from mill?) joists were in great shape.

Threw some off brand joist tape down as I layed new decking.

Idk, can't hurt?

PT wood changed the chemicals about 25-30yrs ago..
my deck is the old arsnic stuff at 27yrs old.. it's fine.
my neighbors was built ~5yrs later and the top of the deck joists are rotting..
tape is a bandaid for the new 'solutions'

but it can't hurt the old stuff if you can apply it..

my old formulation PT rots out the treated screws about every 7yrs...
I use Stainless when replacing screw pops..
it's getting moved to the other side of 'this old house' in the next year(s) else I'd take bigger preventative measures.