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The Guide to Choosing The Right Adhesive Tape

So there is an ongoing project at your home or in the office, and you don't wish to use nuts and bolts. You are looking for a quick and cost effective alternate. Be it mounting something, or securing a object on a surface, with the flexibility to remove it in the future without leaving any trace or damage. In one line, you are looking for a tape.

With wide range of tapes available in the market, which one do you choose? After all, it's just a tape, right? Experience shows that most consumers end up being dissatisfied with their choice of tape, Simply due to lack of proper understanding. Thus, buying an incompatible tape, resulting in an unsatisfactory result.

Whether, you need to mount a mirror, router, shower curtain, carpet, stair treads or basically anything else, then read carefully to know the parameters to choose the right tape

To Mount or Fasten? Know the Difference

The first thing which you need to understand is the orientation and location where you are installing an object. If you are mounting an object on a wall or on any surface that is elevated- then you need a Mounting Tape. Mounting Tapes generally have a thicker form factor which resists gravity and other forces such as the object's weight which would pull it down over time.

There are two kinds of mounting tapes- a foam and an acrylic based. Each of these two types is effective depending on the surface's texture, which we would be discussing later.

However, if you have to fasten an object to a flat surface, then you would need a double sided tape. A double sided tape has a thin form factor which allows it to withstand shear stress, foot traffic and other forces which are directed at a horizontal vector. So for example, Tissue Double Sided Tape or PET Film Double Sided Tape are specialized double sided tapes that is designed for carpets, rugs, stair treads and other textile and nylon based objects.

Summarising, if you have to install objects on the wall, then a mounting tape is that you need. If you are looking for something that will secure your carpets, rugs, wood pieces on the CNC machine or any object on your floor or any flat surface, then a double sided tape is the best choice.

Consider the Material Build of Both the Surface and Object that is to be Mounted

The next thing which you need to consider is the material and texture of both the surface and the object that is to be installed. If either of them is textured, rough, contoured or uneven then you should opt for a foam-based tape. Foam type adhesives are able to conform to the object's shape and texture which makes it an ideal choice for contoured surfaces.

However, if the surface is smooth and even, then the best choice would be an Acrylic based tape. Acrylic based tapes are gel-like silicone adhesives that adhere well to smooth and glossy surfaces such as ceramics, glass, marble and glossy wood.

On the other hand, if you are dealing with an organic material such as a piece of cloth, wood pieces (for guitar making or CNC machine processing), then the best adhesive choice would be a thin double sided duct tape.

Extra Functionality Such as Being Able to Attach and Detach the Object

There are times when you would need to have the extra feature of being able to attach and detach the object. You may want to do this for your shower curtain, mirrors, metal tools, or labels on your locker.

For this functionality, you can opt for Magnetic Tape. As its name suggests, a magnetic tape is able to mount metallic objects such as tools, clips, knives and other objects which you would like to organize but still have easy access to whenever you need them. Essentially, it is a velcro tape which secures the object to be installed and giving you the capability to attach and detach it anytime.

Classic Tapes for Packaging, Patching, and Ducting

If you are looking for a classic one-sided adhesive tape, then you may also want to consider your intended purpose. For classic repairs that need a heavy duty bundling power, then you would want to opt for a Duct Tape that has a special threading. You can notice that strong duct tapes are not completely plain and are textured. They contain striations which are actual threads that serve as a backbone to the tape, giving it more strength and structural integrity.

On the other hand, if you would just want to patch documents and notes and wish to make such patching invisible on the photocopier, then you would need a frosted tape that stays subtle to the naked eye but is virtually invisible to photocopiers. These tapes are usually tougher, so you may want to use scissors or a dispenser that is specifically designed for it.

A frosted tape or invisible tape, however, should not be confused for a transparent tape. A transparent tape is a classic packaging tape. Although an invisible tape is sturdy, it lacks the flexibility and tensile stress limit that a transparent packaging tape can withstand. In choosing a good packaging tape, you must choose a tape that is UV resistant and one that resists yellowing. This indicates that the tape has a long shelf life and can withstand heat during transit which will keep it crystal clear and strong enough to keep even the bulkiest packages in one piece.

Masking, Cable Management and Gear Protection

On the other hand, if your want to simply mask some parts of your area, tape a lightweight paper note or create sharp paint lines, then you need a masking tape. A blue painter's tape, on the other hand, is much more effective on painting with pigments that have contrasting colours. On the other hand, if you have to create markings on the floor, manage your cables at home, or simply provide a sleek solution to hiding wires in your home or office, then what you are looking for is a gaffers tape. A Gaffer Tape is a soft cloth tape that can be torn through your bare hands. It has a matte finish which blends perfectly to surfaces and gears.

Specialized Tapes for Temperature, Pressure and Voltage Control

On the other hand, there are tapes that are available for industrial use. If you need to insulate a heating or cooling pipe or just simply prevent your cooler from leaking, then an Aluminum Tape is the best choice. Silicone self-fusing tapes, on the other hand, exerts pressure on valves and water pipes to prevent leakage. Lastly, a Copper Tape is a double-sided conductive tape which can be used to create electrical circuits on tight and close spaces.

Sum Up

In essence, choosing the right tape is simple, provided you follow the points mentioned above. However, if you have recurring questions regarding the application of various adhesive tapes, then you can reach out to us by sending us an email at sales@pentagontapes.com

Adhesive tapes are very effective alternate to conventional adhesives. All you need is the right tape and installation process.