Hey all,
Ever since the changeover of treated wood to non-arsenic-containing formulations, I have been installing vinyl flashing behind my ledgers (as well as using vinyl Z flashing at the top of the ledger). I submitted a plan to a local building code official citing such flashing (of course, the homeowner designed the deck!!!). He told me in his 25 years of being an inspector, he has never heard of vinyl flashing be approved for deck ledgers. Telling him it has been accepted by every other code jurisdiction for the last ~1000 decks I have done didn't seem to convince him or make him happy
Section R703.4 of the 2021 IRC states (in part), "Approved corrosion-resistant flashing shall be applied shingle-fashion in a manner to prevent entry of water into the wall cavity or penetration of water to the building structural framing components." Generally, "approved" means acceptable to the building code official.
Here is what he replied to me, "2021 International Residential Code, NJ Edition, section R507.2.4, Flashing, is pretty liberal on what materials can be utilized. Specifically, “Flashing shall be corrosion-resistant metal of nominal thickness not less than 0.019 inch (0.48mm) or approved non-metallic material that is compatible with the substrate of the structure and the decking materials.”
It is apparent to me that vinyl is compatible with both the substrate AND the decking. But, he is asking for proof from an "accepted testing agency" that vinyl flashing is acceptable. I have scoured the AAMA, among other building sites to find this common sense "approval." So far, I have found the Florida Building Commission specifically lists vinyl as an approved flashing.
Does anyone else have any leads on other sources that list vinyl as an approved flashing?
Yeah, I know I can easily change to that ridiculously heavy .019" old-school galvanized roof flashing if I have to... but I am a stubborn old mule!!
Happy Weekend!
Jeff
Ever since the changeover of treated wood to non-arsenic-containing formulations, I have been installing vinyl flashing behind my ledgers (as well as using vinyl Z flashing at the top of the ledger). I submitted a plan to a local building code official citing such flashing (of course, the homeowner designed the deck!!!). He told me in his 25 years of being an inspector, he has never heard of vinyl flashing be approved for deck ledgers. Telling him it has been accepted by every other code jurisdiction for the last ~1000 decks I have done didn't seem to convince him or make him happy
Section R703.4 of the 2021 IRC states (in part), "Approved corrosion-resistant flashing shall be applied shingle-fashion in a manner to prevent entry of water into the wall cavity or penetration of water to the building structural framing components." Generally, "approved" means acceptable to the building code official.
Here is what he replied to me, "2021 International Residential Code, NJ Edition, section R507.2.4, Flashing, is pretty liberal on what materials can be utilized. Specifically, “Flashing shall be corrosion-resistant metal of nominal thickness not less than 0.019 inch (0.48mm) or approved non-metallic material that is compatible with the substrate of the structure and the decking materials.”
It is apparent to me that vinyl is compatible with both the substrate AND the decking. But, he is asking for proof from an "accepted testing agency" that vinyl flashing is acceptable. I have scoured the AAMA, among other building sites to find this common sense "approval." So far, I have found the Florida Building Commission specifically lists vinyl as an approved flashing.
Does anyone else have any leads on other sources that list vinyl as an approved flashing?
Yeah, I know I can easily change to that ridiculously heavy .019" old-school galvanized roof flashing if I have to... but I am a stubborn old mule!!
Happy Weekend!
Jeff
