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Before 2012, protecting a timber subframe meant compromise. Deck builders turned to bitumen paints, generic waterproofing membranes, or tapes not made for outdoor timber — all short-term fixes for a long-term issue.
At Walther Strong, we saw what the industry was missing: an application specific product to prevent rot and prolong the life of decking structures from the ground up. That’s how Deck Tape was developed— the first tape engineered specifically to protect decking subframes from moisture ingress, UV exposure, and weathering.
Since its launch in 2012, Deck Tape has gone through 12 continuous refinements, shaped by the challenges professionals face on-site. Because when it comes to timber protection, you should never compromise on your first line of defence.
As composite decking surged in popularity, the substructure became the weak point. Softwood joists and beams, exposed to constant moisture and UV, began to fail — sometimes in as little as 5 years.
Builders knew the risk. The solutions just weren’t up to standard. Bitumen paints cracked and degraded in sunlight. Standard tapes peeled, bubbled, or never adhered properly to timber at all. Worse still, most weren’t rated for long term outdoor use.
Using composite materials on a timber subframe actually increases the moisture content trapped in the frame by four times, making the problem even worse.
We didn’t adapt an existing tape – we engineered a new one. Fred Dunn, Walther Strong’s Managing Director, designed Deck Tape to be flexible, UV-stable, chemically compatible, and self-sealing around fasteners. No drying time. No mess. Just reliable protection where it matters most.
Deck Tape hasn’t just stood the test of time — it’s evolved with it.
Our research and development process doesn’t stop at launch. Every edition of Deck Tape is the result of installer feedback, real-world testing, and advances in materials science. That’s why today’s tape is:
Over the 12 editions, we’ve reengineered the adhesive for stronger, faster bonding — even in cold, damp conditions where many tapes fail. We’ve introduced high performance UV resistant top layers to prevent cracking, drying out, or lifting under direct sunlight. And we’ve improved flexibility to help the tape mould to timber edges and self-seal tightly around screws and fixings — a critical barrier against moisture ingress and long-term frame damage.
This isn’t just product evolution — it’s evidence of our mindset, that there’s always room to improve, even when you’re leading.
Deck Tape by Walther Strong has now been used in over 48 million linear metres of decking projects across 16+ countries. From small garden builds to major commercial installations like IKEA HQ and Blackpool Pier, professionals trust it to perform.
And while other tapes have entered the market, many simply don’t hold up under scrutiny. Some are repurposed products, adapted from unrelated applications. Others claim long-term performance without the rigorous testing to back it up.
Deck Tape is ASTM certified, meaning it meets strict international benchmarks for weathering, bonding strength, and material stability. It’s a claim we can back with both science and site performance.
Quality decking isn’t cheap — and when you’re spending thousands on composite boards or carefully finished timber, why leave the subframe vulnerable? The deck you see might be built to last, but the timber beneath it is what keeps everything standing.
Without proper protection, softwood joists can start to fail in as little as five years — long before the boards above show any signs of wear. For the sake of a roll of tape, you could be cutting 10–15 years off your deck’s life.
We believe any product claiming to protect your deck’s structure should meet a clear set of expectations:
That’s what we’ve built — and what we continue to perfect.
Over the years, we’ve helped raise awareness around the importance of protecting your deck from the ground up — and in doing so, we’ve seen others follow our lead. But there’s only one original: Walther Strong Deck Tape.
From the very first roll in 2012 to today’s advanced 12th edition, we’ve remained focused on one goal: helping you protect your deck properly — the first time.
Innovation is in our DNA — and when it comes to protecting your subframe, the choice should be simple, use the tape designed for the job, tested in the lab, and proven on site.
Ready to protect your deck with the tape that started it all?
