Stainless Steel Fabric Flashing

Over the last year I have been talking to you alot about stainless steel fabric flashings. The main question is why you should be using stainless steel fabric flashing on your projects, below I have listed the there main reasons.

Compared to other flashing materials stainless steel is far superior in tensile strength and puncture resistance. The average rubberized asphalt (peel & stick) flashing has a tensile strength of 1200 psi and a puncture resistance of 80 psi. A 5oz copper flashing has a tensile strength of 32,000 psi and a puncture resistance of 450 psi. A fabric stainless steel flashing has a tensile strength of over 100,000 psi and a puncture of over 2500 psi.

Compatibly has become a major topic and source of litigation. All the materials that go into the wall assembly must be thought of in relation to the other materials it will contact. For example many sealants and tapes like polyurethanes are not compatible with asphalt air barrier and flashing products. Stainless steel fabric flashings are compatible with all known air barrier and insulation products. In fact new self-adhering stainless steel tapes are being used as transition membranes due to it's universal compatibility. In addition these products are made of 304 stainless which is highly corrosion resistant.

Last is price, in many cases stainless steel fabric flashing is less expensive than copper flashings due to fluctuations in the commodities market. For example, York's Multi-flash SS costs the same as 3oz copper fabric flashing. Using stainless steel fabric flashings can also be less expensive than rubberized asphalt when the additional costs for drip edges and mortar deflection devices are factored in. York's Flash-vent SS is a all-in-one flashing and drainage plane.

Stainless steel fabric flashings offers many advantages to your building. For more information, please contact me about setting up one of the below AIA/HSW GBCI rated programs.

2013 AIA Programs

To schedule either of the below programs contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Through-wall Flashing Compatibility, Sustainability, and Performance.
1 HSW 1 GBCI CE

How to properly develop performance specifications for fluid applied membranes based on performance testing, standards, and codes.
1 HSW 1 GBCI CE.