Metal Z Flashing and Drip Cap: Protect Your Home

Metal Z-flashing is primarily used in siding applications to prevent water from penetrating the seam where one horizontal panel overlaps another. It acts as a barrier, catching water and directing it outward. Our WEATHERCAP system serves a similar protective function but for masonry joints, where it is embedded in sealant to accommodate movement, protect the sealant itself, and ensure a durable, weatherproof seal.

WEATHERCAP products are made from a soft lead composition. This material is specifically chosen for its unique properties: it is highly flexible, allowing it to creep and adapt to building movement without failing. It is also extremely durable, resisting corrosion and mold, and oxidizes to a neutral grey that blends seamlessly with masonry, ensuring long-lasting protection for sealant joints.

Yes, WEATHERCAP is suitable for both historic restoration and new construction projects. Our system provides long-term protection for masonry joints, preventing future issues related to building settlement and sealant failure. In fact, our WEATHERCAP A-2 Type A Flat Joint Cap is designed specifically for new-construction installations, ensuring durability from day one.

WEATHERCAP works as an adjunct to sealant. It is embedded into the sealant-filled joint, effectively covering it from direct exposure to UV rays, rain, and temperature fluctuations. This shield prolongs the sealant's life. Additionally, its soft lead construction absorbs stress from building movement, preventing the sealant from tearing or pulling away from the masonry (margin checking).

There are two primary configurations. Type A is a flat cap designed for joints where masonry units are in the same plane, such as the cross joints on a coping or balustrade. Type B is a 90-degree cove cap used for right-angle joints, like where a window sill meets a wall or a cornice joins a parapet. Both types are available in various sizes to suit different joint widths.

Absolutely. WEATHERCAP is an ideal solution for historic preservation and has been used on many of the United States' most significant landmarks. Its soft lead material is effective and visually compatible with historic masonry. Furthermore, it is specified in the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Historic Preservation Technical Procedures, making it a trusted standard for these sensitive projects.