Sealing top of exterior built up beam
rickchem
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Wondering what the consensus was on the “right” method to seal the top of a double 2x exterior beam, as for a deck or such, to prevent water from getting between the two pieces of lumber. No grumbles about that being bad technique- the whole neighborhood is built like that, this is after the fact!
I thought about ice and water shield (with the granules) but that has limited exterior use (but would the decking protect it from the sun enough?, maybe 30# felt on the top, or just run a bead of polyurethane caulk in the joint.
Replies
My exposed wood gets copper. Seems to work fine as long as no water is trapped.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I would recommend using Grace Vycor Deck Protector and/or Plus Flexible Flashing. I would think that you would use over the beam? like joists and decking? for the direct sun expose. Using a copper type flashing doesnt make sense, its fine if you don't nail through it (like a nail that secures joists, decking nails, siding nail etc...
I use some 2-1/2 blocks (the length is determine what kind 2x are using) between the two 2x and carriage bolt them @16" OC. That makes overall length 5-1/2" = 6 X 6 post.
http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/custom/flashings/downloads/26324_Guide-A.pdf
Edited 10/23/2005 9:56 am ET by MRinger
What about both, the copper would look nce, and it would keep water from pooling, if its formed right, and wit the vycor underneath it, that should seal around any penetrations. In fact you could probably use ice, and water shield if thats cheaper, or more available since it would be protected from uv rays.
Thanks- Previous deck I built I spaced the two boards as you said, but on this I was matching existing work and did not want the exposed beam to look different - and I had a brain freeze and didn't even think to do it the way I did it before!
I can't get the vycor deck protector within a 50 mile drive, no sellers near here, but i do have a roll of copper and and roll of ice and water shield.