Flashing is a layer of waterproof material that protects your home from soaking up water. Flashing is installed properly when the seams don’t face upwards. It is rarely added to a house alone, instead being layered with different materials. For example, flashing may be added between the house wrap and siding near the base of a deck. Flashing is also typically installed as part of a new roof to help water run away from the structure.
Builders today typically choose from one of the following types of flashing:
- Aluminum: This metal is inexpensive and easy to form. It can corrode, making it an improper choice for some builds.
- Copper: This type of metal is more difficult to form than aluminum and it is more expensive. Copper, though, is compatible with newer preservatives used to treat wood.
- Lead: Soft and pliable, lead is a favorite for chimney flashing. There are health risks associated with led.
- PVC: This is often the choice in deck building. It is inert and often fairly inexpensive.
Flashing is an important component in the building of homes. When flashing is installed properly, water is not soaked into the home’s structure, ruining it. If you have questions about where the flashing on your home is located and how it benefits your build, speak to your experienced home designer. A home designer can tell you where flashing is necessary and which materials would be best suited to the materials in your home and the weather in your region.