isn’t the sun just going to mess with those seals over time?
That’s my big worry too. I’ve got asphalt shingles and after two summers, even the so-called “UV-resistant” stuff looks tired. I get that deck seals are faster, but I don’t trust anything rubber or plastic to last through our freeze-thaw cycles and that baking sun. Flashing feels like more hassle upfront, but at least it’s proven to last. Maybe I’m just old school, but leaks freak me out way more than a few extra nails.
I don’t trust anything rubber or plastic to last through our freeze-thaw cycles and that baking sun.
Has anyone actually had one of those deck seals on for more than a few years? I keep hearing they’re “tested for decades,” but I haven’t seen any long-term reviews from folks in real climates. Are we just the guinea pigs here?
I get the skepticism—rubber and plastic don’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to surviving our winters and that relentless summer sun. But here’s the thing: I’ve actually seen a couple of those deck-mounted seals hold up surprisingly well, at least for the first 5-6 years. My neighbor put them in on his low-slope roof (asphalt shingles, Minnesota, so plenty of freeze-thaw), and so far, no leaks or weird cracking. He checks them every spring, just in case.
Now, I’m not saying they’re bulletproof. I’ve also seen a few where the installer didn’t seat them right, and water found its way in by year three. That’s not really a material failure, though—more like user error. Traditional flashing is tried and true, but it’s not immune to problems either. I’ve had wind-driven rain sneak under flashing after a bad storm, and that was a mess.
If you’re worried about being a guinea pig, maybe stick with what you trust. But I wouldn’t write off the new stuff entirely—just make sure whoever installs it actually knows what they’re doing.
I’m still not totally sold on the deck-mounted seals, even with some decent reports. I’ve managed a few buildings where we tried them out—mostly because the installer swore up and down they’d be “maintenance-free.” Fast forward a couple winters (I’m in upstate NY, so plenty of freeze-thaw too), and we started seeing some minor seepage around year four. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to make me question if the convenience is worth it.
Traditional flashing isn’t perfect either, like you said. I’ve had to deal with wind-driven rain sneaking under it after a nor’easter, and tracking down those leaks is always a headache. But at least with metal flashing, you can usually spot issues early and patch them up before things get ugly.
Honestly, I think a lot comes down to who’s doing the install. If you get someone who rushes or cuts corners, even the best materials won’t save you. For my money, I’d rather stick with what’s proven—at least until these new seals have more of a track record. Maybe I’m just old school... or maybe I just don’t want another spring spent chasing mystery drips through ceiling tiles.
But at least with metal flashing, you can usually spot issues early and patch them up before things get ugly.
That’s been my experience too—at least you know where to look when things go sideways. Curious, did you ever try any of those “peel-and-stick” underlayments as a backup? I’ve heard mixed things, especially with all the ice dams we get around here.