ZIP System tape is designed to match the superior durability and performance of our wall and roofing panels. We’ve exposed it for extended periods to extreme heat, cold, sun, rain and ice at our global test centers and run it through a battery of performance testing to provide assurance that ZIP System tape provides the adhesion, protection and durability you expect during construction and through the life of the home.
Acceptance Criteria
ZIP System tape is code recognized in accordance with ICC-ESR 2227 as a flexible flashing tape. As such, it has passed requirements of AC 148 (Acceptance Criteria for Flexible Flashing Materials). AC 148 was revised in 2006 to include more rigorous testing methods than the previous version. Unlike many other flashing tapes on the market today, ZIP System tape has passed all requirements of the newer and more stringent version.
Tensile Strength Testing
After extreme UV exposure, tensile strength is tested to the point of product failure.
Adhesion Testing
In this test, tape is adhered to various substrates and readings are taken on the force needed to peel the tape off of the substrate. In addition to control flashing tape samples, testing was completed on samples subjected to accelerated aging with UV exposure, elevated temperature exposure and freeze-thaw cycle exposure.
Water Resistance Testing
After prolonged exposure to UV light and 25 cycles of soaking and drying, flashing tape samples were subjected to standing water for 5 hours and observed for any water leakage.
Cold Temperature Testing
In this test, flashing tape samples are conditioned at freezing temperatures for 24 hours and then bent to an angle of 180 degrees. Specimens are examined for signs of cracking.
Hot Temperature Testing
Extreme heat can damage the integrity and adhesion of many tape products. In this test, strips of flashing tape are applied to OSB in an overlapping manner to simulate the intersection of jamb and head flashings and then exposed to extreme heat (175 degrees) for 24 hours. The flashing samples are inspected for any peeling, buckling rippling or edge curl.
Accelerated Aging
Specimens are cut from UV exposed flashing tape samples and subjected to 25 drying and soaking cycles. These cycles consist of oven drying at 120F for 3 hours followed by immersion in room temperature water for 3 hours and then air-dried for 18 hours at 75F. Specimens are then examined for leakage.
We’re not done yet...
Beyond the above mentioned testing methods, our scientists have taken additional steps to demonstrate the performance and durability of ZIP System tape.
Rail car
A rail car loaded with ZIP System tape was monitored as it traveled through the Arizona desert in mid-summer to assure that the tape would perform well even after being exposed to the most extreme of shipping conditions.
Black box
A black metal box filled with tape was placed in an asphalt parking lot and left exposed to the extreme heat of a Georgia Summer providing further proof the tape can handle extreme shipping and handling conditions.
Test hut walls
Cladding was removed from walls (including stucco) after five years of service and the tape examined for any deterioration. The tape showed no negative effects from the 5 years of service.
Accelerated aging
In addition to this code required testing, ZIP System tape has also been exposed to 336 hours in a UV testing chamber (equivalent to 180 days exposure in Miami,Fl) followed by 190 days in an oven at 225F (equivalent to 30 years exposure as underlayment in Miami,Fl).
Long term outdoor exposure
Tape has been monitored during long term exposure and durability testing in extreme environments such as Miami, Minneapolis, Australia and Canada.
We’re so confident in the durability of ZIP System wall and roof panels that we back them with a 15-year limited system and a 30-year limited panel warranty.
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