For more than 40 years we have been solving tape challenges around the world by engineering tapes for specific applications, matching the right product for the job at hand. And after all this time our tape is still on a roll; literally and figuratively. In fact, the right adhesive tapes can go further than it’s liquid cousins, glue and sealants.
Don’t believe us? Consider this: Adhesive technology has improved significantly over the past 10 years. Thanks to science and engineering, 21st Century tapes are so strong, providing such high-performance bonding in such extreme conditions that tape is now the premier fastener used in everything from space vehicles to hurricane-proof roofing.
The automotive industry was, perhaps, the first to embrace the tape trend. Manufacturers have now replaced a large per cent of fasteners in cars with tape. The result? Lighter weight cars with fewer punctures and holes resulting in higher energy (gas!) efficiency.
The construction industry has followed suit, albeit a little slower. However, the benefit of using high-performance tapes for air sealing the building envelope and bonding in all kinds of manufacturing applications is inarguable. Building codes are adapting to include, or even require, tape in high-performance commercial and residential structures. And even more powerful tape options are being explored for speedy manufacturing processes.
Need more proof? Here are six specific reasons why contractors choose tape instead of glues and sealants.
1. Less time. The most compelling case for using tape over glue is time. Applying tape, especially tape that is die-cut to the exact size you need, takes less time to apply and it bonds instantaneously. Glue adhesives and sealants, on the other hand, need to cure, which can take hours, if not days, especially when the weather is a factor.
2. Less mess. Obviously any contractor who has used sealants and adhesives gets this — there are no brushes or application tools and there is no surplus of adhesive or waste to clean up.
3. Less waste. Because the tape is available is so many widths, sizes and strengths, and it can be die-cut to exact specifications, there is virtually zero waste. Plus, it is absolutely uniform in thickness, giving a precise bond. Sealants are less precise, can spill or leaks, and they can also dry out between uses.
4. Easier to use. No special tools are needed, other than something to cut the tape (scissors or a tape dispenser). Many tapes can even be torn by hand. Plus, it’s easier to use a roll of tape than hauling buckets and sealant applicators.
5. Less expensive. The tape is extremely inexpensive compared to sealants and provides an incredible number of uses per roll.
6. Extremely versatile. Available in a range of widths to suit multiple projects, double sided tape is rated to support pounds per square inch while varying thicknesses and bonding properties combine to provide construction-strength adhesion for the unique challenges of dissimilar surfaces. For example, ECHOtape’s Ultra Bond Indoor/Outdoor Tape features a weather and UV-resistant stick for “tough to adhere to” surfaces like plastic, glass, and wood. Common areas where sealants fail.