The best flashing tape for windows creates a continuous front-line defense against air and moisture infiltration into the building envelope, which can lead to structurally damaging corrosion and mold. Window flashing tape will also improve air quality and lessen HVAC costs. In addition, the 2021 International Building Code (1404.4) and International Residential Code (703.4.1) mandate installing window flashings according to manufacturers’ instructions. ENERGY STAR Certified Homes and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes require flashing door and window openings.
Polyguard offers several excellent flashing tapes for windows to meet code compliance and contribute towards a tight building envelope: Polyguard WS20, Butyl Flash (BF20), and Polyguard UV40 window flashings.
Features and Benefits of Quality Flashing Tape for Windows
The best window flashing tape offers strength and durability to last the window's lifetime. When selecting a window flashing tape, you should consider the following features:
Adhesion
Choose a tape that will effectively stick to the substrate. Refer to the manufacturers' guidelines for information on the need to prime the substrate, which is particularly vital in cold weather. Tapes best stick to clean, dust-free plywood, solid wood, metal, and vinyl substrates.
Excellent Cohesive Strength
When properly installed, a quality flash tape must accommodate ground shifts and a building's contractions and expansions with changes in the weather and temperatures.
Flexibility
Flashings should come in various shapes and sizes, making them easier to measure, bend, stretch, and fold. They should also fold to form a waterproof end-dam on a windowsill.
Versatile Aesthetics
The best flashing tapes are available in many sizes and colors.
Ease-of-Application
Flashing tapes come in lightweight rolls that allow no mess, quick applications, and easy storage.
Uniform Thickness
Quality window flashing rolls should provide uniform thickness for easy measuring and application.
UV Resistance
A quality flashing tape should have sufficient UV resistance. Without UV resistance, a tape will degrade and lose its effectiveness.
Temperature Consideration:
- Choose an acrylic-based (best) butyl-based (better) product in cold weather applications.
- Avoid modified-bitumen products in cold weather applications since they lose stickiness at around 50°F and will not stick below 40°F.
- Select a high-temperature tape in hot weather applications (between 120°F and 180°F) since some tapes may soften in extremely high heat.
Polyguard Offers the Best Flashing Tapes for Windows
Polyguard window flashings will prevent air and moisture infiltration for a tight building envelope. All Polyguard window flashing products come in rolls with an easy-to-remove film release liner to effectively and efficiently flash window and door frames and other construction seams, to help protect the long-term integrity of the seal and significantly reduce repairs and maintenance.
1. Polyguard WS20 Window Seal 20 Mil Flashing Tapes
Builders can use Polyguard WS20 Window Seal 20 Mil Flashing Tapes to strip in or flash straight windows, door frames, and other construction seams. Self-adhering, self-sealing WS20 consists of rubberized asphalt waterproofing coating, laminated to polyethylene film. WS20 comes in 20 mil thickness and various roll sizes with a simple-to-remove film release liner.
Benefits and Features of Polyguard WS20 Window Seal 20 Mil Flashing Tapes:
- AAMA 711 Verified
- Self-Sealing: Creates a smooth, watertight surface around staples, nails, and fasteners
- Waterproofs: Inhibits the growth of mold and mildew in subsurface spaces
- Excellent Adhesion: Improves its effectiveness and hastens the project timeline
- Superior Elasticity: Resists tearing and cracking during structural movement
- Temperature Tolerant: Performs well between 40° - 120°F
2. Butyl Flash Window Flashing
Builders can use self-adhering, self-sealing Butyl Flash Window Flashing (BF20) tape to flash straight window frames, door frames, and other construction seams. BF20 consists of a rubberized asphalt waterproofing coating laminated to a polyethylene film. BF2 comes in 20 mil thickness and various roll sizes with a simple-to-remove film release liner.
Benefits and Features of Butyl Flash Window Flashing (BF20)
- Temperature Tolerant: Applies in hot and cold temperatures, down to 15ºF (-9.4°C) and up to 240 ºF (115°C)
- UV Resistant: UV resistant for 120 days of exposure
- Simple Application: Easy to remove release liner for a mess-free application
- Self Seals: Creates a smooth, watertight surface around nails, staples, and fasteners
- Waterproofs: Inhibits the growth of mold and mildew in subsurface spaces
- Excellent Adhesion: Improves its effectiveness and hastens the project timeline
3. Aluma Flash™ UV Resistant Window Flashing
Builders can use Polyguard UV40 in high-exposure buildings that require a more robust waterproofing strategy to flash windows, door frames, and other construction seams efficiently and effectively. Self-adhering, self-sealing UV40 is a rubberized asphalt waterproofing coating laminated to a polyethylene film. It contains an aluminum top layer that protects against UV exposure for two years.
Benefits and Features of Polyguard UV 40
- Easy Application: The coating comes in rolls with an easy-to-remove film release sheet for fast and easy application
- Weather-Resistant: Builders can use UV$) in Climates Zones 1, 2, and 3A
- UV Resistant: An aluminum top layer protects against UV exposure for two years.
- Superior Elasticity: Resists tearing and cracking during structural movement
- Enhances Energy Efficiency: Shiny aluminum surface reflects sunlight and increases efficiency
- Impermeable: 40 mils impermeable wall sheet air barrier and a repair flashing
Polyguard Offers the Best Flashing Tape for Windows
Applying the best window flashing tapes, like Polyguard WS20, Butyl Flash(BF20), and Polyguard UV2-40 window flashings, will significantly reduce energy use, improve air quality, and enhance indoor comfort. Polyguard window flashing will also ensure the seal's long-term integrity by reducing repairs and maintenance costs.
Self-adhering, flexible Polyguard window flashing rolls hasten application time and offer an effective and long-lasting seal. They will also resist tearing during structural movements.
Don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Polyguard today for more on the best flashing tape for windows!
