When it comes to protecting a home or building from moisture and ensuring the longevity of the structure, a vapor barrier is a crucial component. However, your vapor barrier is only as effective as the vapor barrier tape you use to install it. If you are thinking “Tape is tape” then the diverse world of construction tape may surprise you.
The team at Americover is passionate about helping builders find the right materials for their building and renovation projects. Our line of tapes was created for use with plastic sheeting in many different environments. For more insight on how to select the best tape for your vapor barrier installation, read our blog below, and contact your plastic sheeting expert.
The Role of Tape Adhesives for Vapor Barriers
A vapor barrier is a low-permeance plastic sheeting material designed to inhibit the passage of moisture, preventing it from infiltrating a structure. Moisture can cause a host of problems, from mold and mildew growth to structural damage, making a vapor barrier an essential part of any building’s defense against the elements.
Vapor barrier tape plays a critical role in ensuring the effectiveness of your vapor barrier installation. Since not all tapes are created equal, and their performance can vary significantly based on environmental conditions, choosing the right tape is crucial.
“One of the most frequent questions our team receives is ‘Does it matter what type of tape I use to install a vapor barrier?’
The answer is a resounding ‘yes.’
Not all tapes are meant to withstand humid conditions and temperature fluctuations. Some tape loses its adhesiveness when exposed to moisture and some tapes don’t stick when it’s cold.”
— Jason Trieger, Account Manager, Americover
The wrong tape can cause containment failure, resulting in costly damage and repairs. Read below for tips on choosing the best tape for your vapor barrier application.
How to Choose The Best Vapor Barrier Tape for Your Building Project
Before choosing a tape for your installation project, consider some key factors about the installation site, including
- Temperature: Some tapes may lose their adhesive strength in extreme temperatures. It’s essential to choose tapes that can withstand the temperatures of your region.
- Moisture: Moisture can counteract some adhesives. Inversely, extremely dry air can counteract many other types of adhesives. Determine the level of moisture for your region before choosing an adhesive.
- Installation Surface: Not all adhesives are aggressive enough to stick to porous surfaces like concrete.
Americover offers a line of products perfect for a wide range of environmental factors. The choice of tape depends on what type of vapor barrier you are installing, where you are installing it, and the specific requirements of the project. Here are the to vapor barrier installation tape options we recommend:
Vapor Tape is specially designed for use with vapor barrier plastic. It offers excellent adhesion and moisture resistance, making it ideal for crawl space installations where moisture is a significant concern. We also offer a fire retardant vapor tape option.
225FR White Fire Retardant Tape is a flame retardant polyethylene coated cloth tape with an exceptionally aggressive adhesive to a variety of substrates including steel and plastic. In addition to being waterproof, it exhibits outstanding handling characteristics and conforms well to duct systems.
2 Sided Butyl Tape: Butyl tape is often preferred for its strong adhesive properties. We offer a reinforced butyl tape that won’t stretch during installation. It’s ideal to use between overlapping vapor barriers panels and to seal the vapor barrier against other surfaces such as concrete walls and wooden beams.
Selecting the appropriate tape can make all the difference in the long-term effectiveness of your vapor barrier installation and the reputation of your company’s performance. Don’t overlook this essential material, let us help you find the best tape for your application.
Americover: Trusted by Growers, Builders, and Distributors
Americover is the smart source for plastic and polyethylene sheeting. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or contact us.