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Deck Posts. Paint Them, Or Wrap Them?

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Seven-Delta-FortyOne

· Goin' Down in Flames....
Highwayman
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10,870 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
2 story covered deck. More like a porch.

1st floor is an EPDM, because it covers a basement.

I didn't use PT, because I'll do just about anything before I install a 20' PT 6x6. :blink: Nasty $#!T.

I don't have to worry about the top of the post, because it has a roof with overhang.

My original plan was to wrap the posts with Tyvex, and trim them out. I'll put spacers in, to allow any water that might soak through to drain.

There will also be sheet metal flashing at the bottom, where the posts penetrate the basement roof.

And I designed a sort of elaborate flashing and counter-flashing set-up for the second story, where the 4x12's are attached.

But a contractor friend of mine suggested I just paint them. He's concerned about water getting trapped behind the trim, and concealing rot.

I'd be worried about the 4x12 to 6x6 connection, with only paint. As soon as water gets in the crack, and starts seeping into the end grain......
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Simpson HUC 412.

Here's a pic of the corner connection.

I'm thinking of having a sheetmetal guy fab a piece for the post, that will lap over the 4x12 on top, then the trim over that.

If any of that makes sense.

I can always try to draw something. :eek:
 

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Discussion starter · #4 ·
If all I do is paint that, then water runs down the post and seeps into that connection, where it'll soak the end grain on that 4x12.

I could pretty much eliminate that possibility with some metal flashing, but then it'll be exposed and look like crap.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
So what you're saying is, if I'd made up my mind before I installed them, I could have sealed the end grain, painted, and saved a bunch of time. :eek: :laughing:


My idea for wrapping is something like this.
 

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#12 ·
That will be a nice looking job when done.


If your going to roof the mid level deck its going to get flashed and counter flashed anyway but it cant hurt to be redundant at the beams.


I wouldnt worry about the wood vertically if you have spacers but again if your concerned brush a clear sealer to penetrate the wood. Probably more work than tvvek though
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
hdavis said:
Absolutely.
Click to expand...
:thumbsup:

Yep.


There's a lot of ways moisture can get trapped in that assembly. Only advantage to wrapping is I can conceal metal flashing over the beams, and for esthetics.



AustinDB said:
in that case, a rain screen sounds like a better choice
Click to expand...
That was kind of what I was going for, with the spacers beneath the trim. Still not 100% guarantee, though.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Usually I deal with issues like this on older decks. Normally that would entail drilling a couple small holes through the side of the joist and slightly into the post, and syringing in whatever rot and insect damage prevention. Let that sit for a while, then I inject epoxy to beef up the structure and somewhat seal it.

You can probably just inject a sealer and be good.
 
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AustinDB
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