For rougher surfaces like wood, cement, brick, and stucco, thicker tapes work best. Silicone needs a very tacky adhesive, or one specially formulated to adhere to it.įor flat and smooth surfaces like glass, aluminum, and PVC, you can use thinner tape. Then there’s silicone, which has such low surface energy that conventional adhesives won’t stick to it. The surface energy of plastic can vary quite a bit, but in general, it’s best to use a stronger tape. Double-sided tape works best on surfaces with a high surface energy, like glass, glazed tile, and bare metals. Surface energy is the degree of attraction or repulsion force a material exerts on another material. The right double-sided tape for your project depends on the surface of the two objects you’re trying to stick together. Each type of tape will have several width options to suit your project.

Rolls are available in widths less than 1/4-inch to several inches wide. Width varies quite a bit with double-sided tape. These tapes are best suited for light adhesion applications. Sometimes the carrier layer is so thin that they are pretty much an adhesive on top of a silicone liner. Thin bonding systems are significantly thinner.

This type of tape usually has a foam carrier layer. Tapes with thick bonding systems adhere well to unusual, non-uniform, or highly patterned and textured surfaces. Acrylic adhesive is also more heat- and light-resistant than rubber.ĭouble-sided tape has either thick or thin bonding systems. Acrylic adhesives are stronger but more expensive and rubber adhesives are generally cheaper but less suited for long-term applications.

Double-sided tape has either acrylic or rubber adhesives.

They have medium adhesion, which allows for removal without residue.

Floor tape is used on floor surfaces, like carpet, to hold items like area rugs or runners in place.

Double-sided polyethylene tape is well-suited for uneven surfaces.

Polyethylene tape, also known as foam double-sided tape, provides thick cushioning and insulation.

Acrylic double-sided tape should only be used when permanent bonding is needed. It’s stronger than tissue tape and is weather-resistant, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

Acrylic tape is primarily used in industrial environments.

It’s also inexpensive and a good alternative to glue. Double-sided tissue tape is easy to tear, and is thin enough that it can adhere to irregular surfaces. It’s mostly used for stationery, art, crafting projects, office, and general applications.

Tissue tape is the most common type used for light bonding tasks.

Double-sided tape types fall into one of the below categories: There are several types of double-sided tape with various carrier materials, each serving a specific purpose. Below are some common characteristics to take into account when picking the right double-sided tape for your project. When shopping for double-sided tape, you’ll want to consider the tape type, adhesive level, thickness, width, application setting, and other factors. The type of double-sided tape you need depends on the application. The tape is often used to hang signs or temporary displays, attach foam to wall panels or flooring underlayment to floors, secure and hold carpets in place for major events or trade shows, and much more. Moreover, there’s little time required for the bond to form-you just peel and stick. Unlike single-side tape, double-sided tape creates an invisible bond between two objects. The adhesive lies on top of a carrier material, which can range from film as thin as a fraction of a millimeter up to a thick foam several millimeters thick. It has pressure-sensitive adhesive exposed on both sides of the tape which allows two items to be bonded together. Photo: What to Look for When Choosing the Best Double-Sided Tapeĭouble-sided tape is a versatile, economical alternative to glue.

Double sided tape for rugs