Building Enclosure logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Building Enclosure logo
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
  • SECTIONS
    • Columns
    • Project Profiles
    • Trade Shows
    • Sponsor Insights
  • SYSTEM DESIGNS
    • Low-Slope Roofs
    • Pitched Roofs
    • Metal Roofing Materials
    • Waterproofing
    • Sustainability
    • Insulation
    • Exterior Claddings
    • Wall Systems
    • Building Envelope
  • BLOG
    • The BE Blog
  • MEDIA
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Quiz
    • Videos
    • Polls
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Newsletter
    • Photo Galleries
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Directory: Blue Book
    • Directory: Roofing Resource
  • PRODUCTS
  • TECHNICAL
    • Codes
      • Waterproofing
      • Roofing
    • Details
      • Waterproofing
      • Roofing
  • CONTINUING ED
  • ABOUT
    • Advertise
      • Editorial Calendar
    • Contact
    • eMag Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Details

Roofing Details: Deck-to-Wall Expansion Joints

February 4, 2010
In specific situations where the structural roof deck is not attached to the wall and an opening is provided, a roof-to-wall expansion joint is required. The installation of the roof-to-wall expansion joints allows for differential movement between the two construction components.

Prefabricated deck-to-wall expansion joints. Illustrations courtesy of American Hydrotech, Inc.


In specific situations where the structural roof deck is not attached to the wall and an opening is provided, a roof-to-wall expansion joint is required. The installation of the roof-to-wall expansion joints allows for differential movement between the two construction components.

A curb must be installed at the perimeter edge of the structural decking to serve as a substrate for the flashing and expansion joint materials. The curb can be fabricated from treated wood blocking, concrete masonry units or a structural concrete pour.

The roof flashing material should be applied to the top of the face of the curb with attachment procedures required by the membrane manufacturer.

The material used for the roof-to-wall expansion joint must be in compliance with the membrane manufacturer’s requirements. Most manufacturers allow for the use of prefabricated expansion joints. The manufacturer of the prefabricated expansion joint should be consulted for specific material and application procedures. The expansion joint material is set at the top of the curb and out onto the wall. The beveled expansion joint is set over the opening between the deck and the wall.

A metal termination bar is then set over the roof-to-wall expansion joint at the top of the wall flashing and at the bottom of the curb flashing. The termination bar shall be secured to the substrates with the appropriate fasteners at a fastening rate of 12 inches on center.

A bead of structural sealant should be set at the top of the termination bars.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • bar graph shows LEED v4/LEED v5/LEED v6 in various colors

    When Will LEED v4 / v4.1 and LEED v5 Expire?

    The latest version of the LEED rating system, LEED v5, is...
    Sustainability
    By: Daniel Overbey
  • Celebrating Women In AEC-2026

    Celebrating Women in The AEC Industry Part 1

    A round-up of women in the design, engineering and...
    Sustainability
    By: Lindsay Lewis
  • KEE membrane application on a roof

    A Beginner’s Guide to Single-Ply Roofing Membranes

    While PVC and TPO appear extremely similar, the chemistry...
    Low-Slope Roofs
    By: Peter Gross
Manage My Account
  • Sign up for the Newsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Registration Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Building Enclosure audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Building Enclosure or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • 2 construction workers and a DEXcell panel
    Sponsored byDEXcell Roof Boards

    Designing Low-Slope Roofs for Resilience

  • Bell Bank headquarters in Fargo, North Dakota
    Sponsored bySto Corp.

    Drained and Back-Ventilated Rainscreens vs Pressurized-Equalized Rainscreens

  • A construction worker using DEXcell roof boards
    Sponsored byDEXcell Roof Boards

    The Hidden Strength of Low-Slope Roof Systems: Why Roof Cover Boards Matter

Popular Stories

construction industry workers in hard hats stand around a city scape

Construction Industry Revolts Over New CSI Licensing Plan

a man wearing a mask installs insulation into a wall system

Quiet Rooms and Healthier Air: A Second Look at What Goes Inside the Wall Cavity

Canalino Elementary School and Canalino Family School exterior

Daylighting Design to Support Rapidly Growing Trend in Modular Building Construction

Building Enclosure Newsletter

BE Poll

Events

June 17, 2025

Addressing Condensation in Low-Slope Roof Assemblies

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 ICC CEU; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 IACET CEU

On Demand In modern roofing systems, vapor retarders and air barriers do more than just minimize air leakage—they’re essential to maximizing performance and longevity. This engaging course dives into the next generation of moisture control: permeable vapor retarders and air barriers. Discover how these cutting-edge technologies are transforming low-slope roofing assemblies by improving energy efficiency, managing moisture, and boosting wind uplift resistance.

April 9, 2026

Strategies for High-Performance Below-Grade Waterproofing

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW ; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 IACET CEU

On-Demand Designing a high-performance building enclosure requires more than just surface-level protection; it demands a rigorous, performance-based mastery of below-grade water and gas mitigation. This discussion will provide an expert-level analysis of below-grade waterproofing within the comprehensive framework of the high-performance building enclosure.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

This is a comprehensive manual that goes beyond codes and standards, providing expert guidance in design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster and drywall.

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Roofing Details

    Details: Expansion Joints

    See More
  • Details: Waterproofing

    Waterproofing Detail: Expansion Joints

    See More
  • Best Practices: Roofing Details That Cause Problems

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • June 30, 2026

    Next-Generation Firestopping for Building Joints

    Credits 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 ICC CEUThis course will detail the progression of early building joint firestop methods to today's best practices, such as preformed firestopping and fire rated drywall accessories. Architects, engineers and specifiers will gain new perspective from this presentation, discovering more modern approaches to joint firestop methodology.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Enhance your expertise with unparalleled insights.

Join thousands of building professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing