Trekker PRO Tape

Joist Tape for Decking – Trekker PRO Tape

Protect the timber structure beneath your decking with Trekker PRO Tape, a high-performance joist tape for decking designed to create a waterproof and weather-resistant barrier around vulnerable areas of a timber deck frame.

Manufactured in the UK, Trekker PRO Tape helps protect timber joists, posts and other substructure components from prolonged exposure to moisture. With a permanent adhesive bond designed to last for 50 years, a 25-year guarantee and compatibility with timber treatments, it provides an additional layer of protection beneath a long-lasting decking installation.

Available in 50mm, 82mm and 100mm widths, Trekker decking tape can be used across different parts of the timber substructure, allowing installers to select the appropriate width for joists, cut ends, double joists and exposed deck posts.

What Is Joist Tape for Decking?

Joist tape for decking is a waterproof protective tape applied to timber joists and other areas of a deck substructure to help prevent water and moisture from coming into prolonged contact with the timber.

Although the finished decking boards form the visible surface of a deck, the timber frame underneath is also an important part of the installation. Rainwater and moisture can find their way through the gaps between boards and onto the supporting structure below.

Applying waterproof joist tape to vulnerable areas creates an additional protective barrier between the timber and moisture.

Trekker PRO Tape has been developed specifically to help protect timber deck substructures and is available in different widths for different parts of the frame.

Protect Your Timber Deck Frame with Trekker PRO Tape

A well-designed decking installation is about more than choosing the surface boards. Protecting the supporting structure underneath can also contribute to the long-term performance of the overall deck.

Trekker PRO decking tape creates a weather-resistant seal over key areas of the timber substructure, helping to reduce direct exposure to water.

Key benefits include:

• Waterproof protection for vulnerable areas of timber deck framing

• Weather-resistant barrier between moisture and the timber substructure

• Permanent adhesive bond designed for 50 years

• 25-year guarantee

• Manufactured in the UK

• Tested with timber treatments

• Available in 50mm, 82mm and 100mm widths

• Suitable for different areas including joists, double joists, cut ends and exposed deck posts

For composite decking projects where durable decking boards are being installed over a timber frame, adding appropriate deck frame tape helps provide additional protection to the structure beneath the boards.

Choose the Right Trekker PRO Tape

Different parts of a timber deck frame can require different levels and widths of coverage. Trekker PRO Tape is therefore available in three sizes.

Trekker PRO Tape 50mm

Trekker PRO Tape 50mm is designed to protect the top of timber joists.

The 50mm width can be applied along the joist before the decking boards are installed, creating a protective barrier between the top surface of the timber and moisture passing through the decking.

The tape is also designed to self-seal after a fastener has been driven through it, helping maintain protection around fixing points.

Width: 50mm
Roll length: 20m
Ideal for: Top surfaces of timber deck joists

Trekker PRO Tape 82mm

Trekker PRO Tape 82mm provides wider coverage and is designed to protect the underside of joists.

It can be particularly useful in applications such as balconies and flat-roof decking structures and can also be used to protect the cut ends of joists, where exposed timber may require additional protection.

Width: 82mm
Roll length: 20m
Ideal for: Joist undersides, cut joist ends and relevant balcony or flat-roof applications

Trekker PRO Tape 100mm

Trekker PRO Tape 100mm is the widest option in the range and has been designed for double joists consisting of two 50mm joists.

It can also be used for deck posts resting on areas exposed to water, giving installers greater coverage where the construction requires it.

Width: 100mm
Roll length: 20m
Ideal for: Double joists and deck posts in water-exposed areas

Why Use Waterproof Joist Tape on a Timber Deck?

Timber used in an outdoor deck structure is naturally exposed to changing weather conditions. Even when the deck surface is constructed from durable materials such as composite decking, water can still travel through gaps between the boards and reach the supporting structure.

A waterproof tape for deck joists helps create an additional barrier over areas where moisture may otherwise sit directly against the timber.

This is particularly useful on the horizontal upper surfaces of joists, around fixing points, at cut timber ends and in other areas of a deck frame that may be exposed to water.

Using decking protection tape during construction means this protection can be incorporated into the substructure before the deck boards are fitted.

Joist Tape for Composite Decking Substructures

Composite decking is chosen for outdoor spaces because it provides an alternative to traditional timber deck boards while offering the appearance and texture associated with wood.

However, where composite decking is installed on a timber frame, it is still important to consider the protection of the timber structure underneath.

Using composite decking joist tape allows installers to create a protective layer between vulnerable timber surfaces and water entering through the deck above.

Trekker PRO Tape can therefore form part of a complete decking installation alongside Trekker composite decking boards and other decking accessories.

Where Should Decking Tape Be Applied?

The exact positioning of deck tape depends on the construction of the deck and the part of the substructure being protected.

Common applications within the Trekker PRO Tape range include:

• Along the top of timber joists

• On the underside of joists

• Around cut joist ends

• Across double joists

• Around appropriate deck posts in water-exposed areas

• In relevant balcony and flat-roof deck applications

Choosing the appropriate tape width helps provide the required coverage without unnecessarily using a wider product than the application requires.

For detailed information about building and fitting Trekker decking, refer to our decking installation guidance.

Complete Your Decking Installation with Trekker

Trekker PRO Tape has been developed to complement a high-quality decking installation by helping protect the timber structure that supports it.

Whether you require decking joist tape for standard timber joists, protection for cut ends or wider deck frame tape for double joists and exposed areas, the three Trekker PRO Tape widths make it easier to select the right product for the application.

Explore Trekker PRO Tape 50mm, 82mm and 100mm above, or contact the Trekker team for expert advice on choosing the most appropriate decking accessories for your project.

Frequently Asked Questions About Joist Tape for Decking

What is joist tape for decking?

Joist tape is a waterproof protective tape installed over vulnerable areas of a timber decking substructure. It creates a barrier between the timber and water or moisture that can pass through the decking surface.

Do you need joist tape under composite decking?

Where composite decking is installed over timber joists, joist tape can provide an additional layer of protection for the timber structure underneath. Water can still pass between composite deck boards, so protecting vulnerable timber surfaces may help reduce their direct exposure to moisture.

Is Trekker PRO Tape waterproof?

Trekker PRO Tape is designed to provide a waterproof and weather-resistant seal to help protect the timber deck substructure from moisture.

Which width of Trekker PRO Tape should I use?

The appropriate width depends on the part of the deck structure being protected. 50mm PRO Tape is designed for the tops of timber joists, 82mm PRO Tape can protect joist undersides and cut ends, while 100mm PRO Tape is designed for double 50mm joists and deck posts in suitable water-exposed areas.

Can Trekker PRO Tape be used with treated timber?

Trekker PRO Tape has been tested with timber treatments, making it suitable for use as part of a properly specified timber decking substructure.

How long is a roll of Trekker PRO Tape?

Trekker PRO Tape 50mm, 82mm and 100mm are each supplied in 20-metre rolls.

Does Trekker PRO Tape seal around deck fixings?

The 50mm Trekker PRO Tape used on the top of timber joists is designed to self-seal once a fastener has been driven through it, helping protect the area around the fixing point.

What is the difference between deck tape and joist tape?

The terms deck tape, decking tape and joist tape are sometimes used for protective tapes associated with deck construction. Joist tape more specifically describes tape used to protect the timber joists or substructure beneath the decking boards.