Trex RainEscape / Trex Protect / Trex Seal

Trex RainEscape deck drainage, Trex Protect framing tape and Trex Seal ledger tape help property owners manage water beneath the deck and moisture on the framing. RainEscape creates dry, usable space below. Protect shields framing tops, and Seal shields the ledger board. Start with the job you need done.

IBP, LLC is the company behind these three Trex products. Dave Kile started IBP in 2003 and owns the company. RainEscape became Trex Company’s first licensed product in 2010.

RainEscape for dry space beneath the deck

If you’re counting on a dry patio or storage space underneath, RainEscape is the system for that job. Framing tape protects individual wood surfaces, while the open spaces between framing members let water through. RainEscape provides deck drainage that creates dry, usable space beneath the deck.

RainEscape installs above the joists and is designed to protect the entire substructure from moisture. That placement matters on an existing deck because the deck boards cover the work area. Settle the drainage plan before starting a re-decking job, while access to the framing is part of the work.

Protect for framing tops and hardware contact

Trex Protect is self-adhesive, butyl-based tape that shields the tops of joists, rim joists and beams from moisture. Those upper faces deserve attention before the decking covers them. Protect also acts as a barrier between wood and galvanized metal, including joist hangers; account for that detail while the connection is accessible.

Surface preparation matters. Taping over damp wood or sawdust just to keep the job moving skips a required step: Protect needs a clean, dry surface free of debris. Remove the backing as you apply the tape directly to the surface, press it firmly onto joists and beams by hand, and cut it to length with a utility knife.

Seal for the ledger board

Trex Seal Ledger Tape shields the ledger board from moisture. The ledger sits at the deck’s connection to the house, so include its protection in the framing plan while that area is accessible.

Trex Protect’s 25-year limited warranty stays with the original purchaser and property owner, so account for that ownership limit if you expect to sell. Its stated remedies are replacement of nonconforming or defective tape or reimbursement of the purchase price paid for nonconforming tape.

Trex Protect tape sizes

Match the tape width to the framing detail. Joist Tape serves joists, Beam Tape is intended for double beams, and the wider Rim Tape serves rim joists, stairs and flat-blocked surfaces.

Tape	Width	Roll length	Intended application
Trex Protect Joist Tape	1-5/8 inches	50 feet	Joists
Trex Protect Beam Tape	3-1/8 inches	50 feet	Double beams
Trex Protect Rim Tape	11 inches	25 or 50 feet	Rim joists, stairs and flat-blocked surfaces

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Trex RainEscape used for?

Trex RainEscape is a deck drainage system that creates dry, usable space beneath your deck. It installs above the joists, so it also protects the framing below from moisture. Plan for it before the deck boards go down, when you can still reach the whole framing area.

What does Trex Protect tape protect?

Trex Protect shields the tops of joists, rim joists and beams from moisture and separates wood from galvanized metal at connections such as joist hangers. You can apply it to horizontal and vertical surfaces, including steps, stair stringers, blocking and ledger boards.

Can you put Trex Protect on damp wood?

No. Trex Protect needs a clean, dry surface free of debris. Give the wood time to dry and clear away sawdust before you remove the backing and press the tape firmly into place by hand.

What is Trex Seal Ledger Tape for?

Trex Seal Ledger Tape shields the ledger board from moisture at your deck’s connection to the house. That connection is easier to address while the framing is exposed, so include it in your moisture-protection plan before the decking covers the work.