"Curious though, have you looked into any specific brands yet?"
I've tried a bunch over the years, and honestly, brand does matter. I learned that the hard way—went cheap on tape once and regretted it when moisture crept in. 3M's flashing tape has been my go-to since then... pricier but worth every penny in peace of mind.
I've heard good things about 3M too, but personally I've had great luck with ZIP System tape. A few years back, I helped my brother redo his windows, and we used ZIP tape on a friend's recommendation. It was super easy to apply even in chilly weather, and the adhesive held up great—no drafts or leaks yet. Have you ever tried it, or are you pretty set on 3M at this point?
ZIP tape's solid stuff, used it on a few jobs myself and never had issues. Still lean toward 3M out of habit mostly, but honestly, either one beats the cheapo brands hands down... learned that lesson the hard way, lol.
Good points there—ZIP tape's definitely reliable stuff. I've used both ZIP and 3M around my place, and honestly, either one gets the job done without headaches. Learned pretty quick that saving a few bucks on cheap tape just isn't worth the hassle later on... nothing worse than redoing work because of poor materials. Glad I'm not the only one who's been down that road, haha.
ZIP and 3M tapes are solid choices, but I've had decent luck with Tyvek tape too. It's a bit cheaper than ZIP, sticks really well if you prep the surface right, and holds up nicely over time. You're totally right though—cheap tape is asking for trouble. Had to redo flashing around a window once because the adhesive failed after just a year...lesson learned the hard way.
"Had to redo flashing around a window once because the adhesive failed after just a year...lesson learned the hard way."
Been there myself. When we replaced our windows a few years back, I tried saving a few bucks by going with some generic flashing tape from the big box store. Thought it was good enough, but nope—started peeling within two seasons. Ended up redoing everything with Tyvek tape, and it's held up great since. Sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves you headaches later...
Tyvek's solid stuff, but honestly, I've had pretty decent luck with some cheaper flashing tapes too. Trick is making sure the surface is super clean and dry before applying—learned that after a couple frustrating re-dos myself...
"Trick is making sure the surface is super clean and dry before applying—learned that after a couple frustrating re-dos myself..."
Yeah, learned that one the hard way myself. I remember my first window replacement job—I thought I'd save some cash going DIY. Got everything lined up, flashing tape ready, thought I was good to go... and then the tape just wouldn't stick right. Turns out, even a little dust or moisture can mess things up pretty badly. Had to redo the whole thing, and believe me, peeling off half-adhered flashing tape isn't fun.
What ended up working for me was prepping the surface with a quick wipe-down using isopropyl alcohol. It evaporates fast, leaves no residue, and really helps the tape bond properly. After that, I started using one of those cheap microfiber cloths to make sure everything's bone dry before applying the tape. Made a huge difference.
But speaking of flashing tapes, has anyone noticed if there's a significant difference in durability between brands over time? I've used both Tyvek and some cheaper alternatives, and so far they've held up okay. But I'm curious if anyone's had issues with cheaper tapes failing prematurely, especially in colder climates or places with lots of rain. I'm all for saving money, but not if it means redoing the job sooner rather than later...
I've had mixed luck with cheaper tapes myself. Did a job about five years ago using a budget tape on some replacement windows—seemed fine at first, but after a couple harsh winters, the edges started peeling and moisture crept in. Ended up redoing everything with Tyvek, and it's held up great since then. Guess sometimes you do get what you pay for... Curious if anyone's tried those newer acrylic-based flashing tapes? Heard they're supposed to stick better in cold weather.
I've had similar experiences with budget tapes. When I replaced a couple windows last fall, I initially went with a cheaper butyl-based tape thinking it'd be fine. It was a pain to apply in cooler temps—kept losing adhesion and curling at the edges. Ended up switching halfway through to one of those acrylic-based tapes you mentioned, and honestly, it was night and day. Even at around 40°F, it stuck immediately and stayed put. Checked it again this spring after a pretty rough winter, and no signs of peeling or moisture intrusion yet. It's pricier for sure, but considering the hassle of redoing the job, I'd say it's worth the extra cost.