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Most homeowners have duct tape in their toolbox, garage, or junk drawer. It’s a very handy product that can be used for a wide variety of repair jobs. But, like anything else, it can vary in quality. Some duct tape brands are much better and more reputable than others. Not sure which type is best? Our buying guide narrows down the top three on the market.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Duck Max Strength Duct Tape
- Best Value: Gorilla Black Duct Tape
- Honorable Mention: Nashua 357 Polyethylene Coated Cloth Premium Grade Duct Tape
Best Overall: Duck Max Strength Duct Tape
The MAX Strength Duck Tape is a high-strength, hand-tearable product designed for heavy-duty applications. It has a waterproof backing, so it can be used in a variety of conditions, both indoors and out. It sticks to glass, masonry, wood, and more and stays put on bends, corners, and curves. It comes in several colors and is a very strong yet flexible adhesive.
This product is great for construction pros as well as DIYers. The tape has excellent adhesion and is very strong, but it cuts easily and straight with little effort. It provides long-lasting repairs and is ideal for projects involving sealing, waterproofing, and hanging plastic sheeting.
However, the tape is not without its downsides. First, it may not tear cleanly and may have a strong odor. There have also been complaints that it doesn’t work very well on plastic or cardboard. Still, overall it’s very strong and a great value for the money.
Best Value: Gorilla Black Duct Tape
What sets this duct tape apart from others is its heavy-duty, double-thick adhesive. This tape is two to three times thicker than standard duct tape. The Gorilla tape sticks to rough and uneven surfaces, including brick, plaster, stone, stucco, and wood. It also repels moisture and UV rays and withstands extreme temperature fluctuations.
It is strong, high quality, and super sticky. It also retains its bond over a long period of time and resists water extremely well. The back of the tape is quite tough, and the tight weave makes it a little hefty, but you can still rip it by hand. You can also cut it with a knife or scissors.
One problem with this Gorilla tape is that it may not stick to certain surfaces, such as rubber. Also, it can be difficult to remove and may leave behind a residue. In addition, the manufacturer recommends storing it vertically in a cool and dry place that’s not exposed to direct sunlight.
Honorable Mention: Nashua 357 Polyethylene Coated Cloth Premium Grade Duct Tape
Honorable Mention
This premium-grade duct tape is designed for use by contractors and those in the manufacturing industry. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The tape can be used for seaming polyethylene sheeting and other rigorous applications involving seaming and sealing. It features a strong rubber adhesive that sticks extraordinarily well.
This product, which is available in several colors, resists moisture, chemicals, solvents, punctures, and abrasions. It has a polyethylene-coated cloth backing, so the unwinding process is simple and smooth. It also bonds to rough and irregular surfaces with ease. The tape is a favorite among contractors who use it for plastering, media-blast protection, securing underlay materials, and more.
While it’s a great product, it’s not perfect. The tape is on the pricey side and even though it’s really strong, it’s not 100-percent suitable for waterproof repairs as is advertised. Also, the surface area must be clean and dry for it to adhere properly, but this is common with nearly all duct tape brands.
Our Verdict
Our pick for the best duct tape is the Duck Max Strength Duct Tape. It’s easy to tear, sticks strongly to a variety of surfaces, and works on curves and corners.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Gorilla Tape, Black Duct Tape.
Tips
- While duct tape is water-resistant, most types are not waterproof. And, despite the name, you should not use it for repairing ducts. If you’re doing any type of HVAC repairs, use foil tape instead.
- Duct tape is made of polyethylene, thread, and adhesive. The threads give the material its strength, and the farther apart they are, the harder it is to tear the duct tape. Choose a product with a smaller space between the threads.
- Thicker duct tapes aren’t necessarily better than thinner ones. They tend to be less flexible and are harder to wrap around certain shapes, such as a pipe with a 90-degree angle. It’s easier to use a product with a little bit of stretch.
FAQs
A: It’s not technically a flammable product. However, the center of the tape is made of mesh fabric, which can catch fire. The polyethylene outer layer and rubber adhesive are fire-resistant.
A: No. Duct tape and electrical tape are made differently and are intended for different applications. Duct tape is not 100 percent fire-resistant, so it should not be used for electrical purposes.
A: Yes, but as we mentioned previously, it is not waterproof. So while it can seal a crack in certain cases, you have to take into consideration the quality of the tape, the size of the leak, and how much pressure the leak is producing.
