Adding a deck to your home is one of the best investment decisions you can make. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost Vs. Value Report, a homeowner can expect to recoup about 83% of the cost of building a new wood deck and 65% of a composite deck when the time comes to sell your home. Compare that to a bathroom addition where you recoup about 57% of the investment. With a kitchen renovation, the return on investment can be in the low 60’s range. If you are looking to add more living space to your home, building a new deck seems like a no-brainer.
Getting a strong return on your investment is only one of the advantages when adding a deck to your home. Another major advantage is that adding a deck does not require you to take out a second mortgage. HomeAdvisor estimates that the average cost of building a 200-500 square foot deck is about $7,000. Of course, several factors can impact the cost such as the size of the deck, the geographic location, the materials used to build the deck and other add-ons that make your deck perfect for you. But on average, the cost of building a deck is a relatively affordable way to extend your outdoor living space.
Building a Deck That Lasts
The good news about building a new deck is that most come with a warranty that lasts decades. This gives you peace of mind knowing that your deck will last for a very long time. The bad news is that unless you take the proper steps when building a deck, it could start decaying long before the warranty runs out. According to research conducted with homebuilders, most decks start to spilt and rot at around 8-10 years. How can that be? The answer is pretty simple. The joists and beams used to build your deck are exposed to moisture via the screw holes. Water gets into this space and sits on the wood causing it to rot and the screws to rust. So, your deck boards will last a lot longer than your base structure unless you take steps to protect the joists and beams from moisture.
Selecting the Right Joist and Beam Tape to Get the Job Done
A simple solution to extend the life of your deck is to seal the joists and beams with flashing tape. The tape acts as a moisture barrier between wood and galvanized metal, protecting the decking structure from wood rot and decay.
There are two primary options when it comes to selecting joist and beam tape to waterproof the underside of your deck. Asphalt-based taping and butyl tape. Although the cost of asphalt-based tape is less expensive than butyl tape, it will dry out more quickly, curl up and hold water. As a result, you will not get the full life out of your deck.
Butyl tape has several advantages over the asphalt-based tape. It is stickier, endures less staining, less oozing occurs during high temperatures and it has a wider temperature range for installation. Butyl tape is also more rubbery than asphalt-based tape and flows around screws making for a tighter seal so no water infiltrates the screw holes. The net result is that butyl tape is a superior product for weatherproofing the substructure of your deck and making it last longer.
Looking for a Recommendation?
Trex Protect makes a butyl tape that is easy to use and convenient to apply to double beams and joists. Available in two sizes, 1-5/8” for joists and 3-1/8” for beams, Trex Protect Joist and Beam Tape is applied as a cap (vs. wrapping) to horizontal and vertical surfaces allowing the wood to breathe. It comes with a 20-year warranty that guarantees you will get the life out of your deck. So, for less than $100, for an average size deck, you can ensure that your substructure lasts as long as the decking it supports.
Adding a deck to your home is an economical way to extend your living space outdoors. To ensure the life of your deck, you need to take steps to moisture-proof the decking substructure, so you can get the full life out of your deck. Butyl tape, such as Trex Protect Joist and Beam Tape, is a high-performance adhesive that waterproofs the joists and beams of your deck ensuring you’ll enjoy your deck for many years to come.