For each project, installers face a number of material decisions for how best to protect the building envelope. When it comes to flashing options, which solutions are best suited to each scenario?
Here’s a short guide.
Liquid-Applied Flashing
Applications
A liquid-applied flashing such as HydroFlash® LA applies like a caulk or adhesive, so it’s ideal for challenging areas of the envelope where a tape-style flashing would have to be cut and bent. This includes window corners, curves, and awkward shapes. HydroFlash LA works to create monolithic sill flashing and prevent leaks, and is an easy solution for filling imperfections and penetrations. Simply squeeze out a bead and smooth to 20-40 wet mils.
Geographic locations
HydroFlash LA can be installed in any climate, but because it is moisture cured, it’s perfect for wet climates like the Pacific Northwest, where it will cure faster and any excess moisture will dry through the product itself. It can be installed in temperatures as low as 25 degrees F. HydroFlash LA has a perm rating of 3-6, depending on thickness, so it’s universal in application.
Project and cladding types
Liquid-applied flashing offers flexibility to move with the building, making it a great option for applications such as control joints in concrete buildings and areas with seismic activity. HydroFlash LA can be used with any Benjamin Obdyke housewrap and is compatible with all types of cladding. In addition, the flashing is paintable, so it can be painted with a vapor-open black exterior latex paint to be discreet under open joint cladding systems.
Package sizes
Comes in 20-ounce sausage, with typical coverage of 8-10 square feet per sausage.
UV Flashing
Applications
HydroFlash® UV+ is a premium acrylic flashing tape designed to withstand extreme conditions, including UV exposure up to a year. The combination of breathable acrylic adhesive and facer allow this product to be vapor permeable (4 perms). This unique characteristic allows drying potential of the sheathing the flashing is applied to, avoiding mold and rot behind critical penetration points like windows and doors. Its abrasion-resistant facer is an ideal option for sills and other areas more prone to damage during installation.
Geographic locations
HydroFlash UV+ is vapor open, with a perm rating of about 4, so it’s suitable for any climate, and it can be installed in temperatures down to 25 degrees F. It is the first flashing tape readily available in the U.S. that is vapor permeable, allowing moisture to escape the cavity.
Project and cladding types
The product’s UV resistance is ideal for open joint cladding systems where there is long-term potential for indirect UV exposure through the open joints.
Available sizes
Rolls come in 2.3”, 4”, and 6” widths and in 82’ lengths.
General Purpose Flashing
Applications
HydroFlash® GP self-adhered flashing tape features an acrylic adhesive that offers better holding power than butyl or rubberized asphalt, and a polyethylene facer to help resist abrasions and tears during installation. It’s not as robust as HydroFlash LA or HydroFlash UV+, but can be used around most of the window in combination with other flashings used at the corners and sill. Because it is vapor closed, it’s also well-suited to areas of the house where absolutely no moisture transfer is the goal, such as a deck ledger that’s completely flush against the WRB .
Geographic locations
HydroFlash GP can be installed in temperatures down to 25 degrees F. It requires a dry surface, so care will need to be taken in wetter climates. The product is vapor closed. It has a UV exposure rating of 180 days.
Project and cladding types
GP flashing can be used under any cladding types. Because it’s not as robust, it should be used in areas of the envelope less prone to extreme conditions.
Available sizes
Rolls come in 2.3”, 4”, 6”, and 9” widths and in 82’ lengths. Though each of these flashing types is unique, they can be a crucial part of a complete wall system and can often be used interchangeably and in concert with each other. To get more details on what products and systems are best suited to your project, contact Benjamin Obdyke today.
HydroFlash® Samples
