Tapes

What is insulation tape?

Insulation tape is a self-adhesive tape used to seal, joint and reinforce the layers of a building envelope. It closes the gaps that insulation boards, membranes and plasterboard leave behind, keeping air, moisture and dust out of the joints and holding the finished build-up continuous.

The term means two different things depending on the trade. On site it refers to building tapes: foil tape on board joints, scrim on plasterboard seams, jointing tape on membranes and board systems. In an electrical context it refers to PVC insulating tape used on cables and wiring, which is a separate product with a separate purpose and is not stocked here. Every tape in this range is a building tape, and none should be used on electrical wiring.

Types of Insulation Tape

The right tape is decided by the substrate rather than by brand. There is no single best insulation tape across every job, which is why the range is split into four types.

Foil tape

Aluminium foil tape is the tape most people mean when they say insulation tape. It seals the joints between foil-faced PIR boards, keeps the foil facing continuous across a run, and is used on ducting, pipework and lagging. Stocked in 48mm, 72mm and 96mm widths on 45m rolls, so the roll can be matched to the joint rather than doubled up.

Scrim tape

Self-adhesive mesh scrim reinforces plasterboard joints before filling, reducing the risk of cracks tracking through the finish. Widths run 50mm, 75mm and 100mm across 45m and 90m rolls, with a HI-TAC option where a stronger initial grab is wanted on the board, and a 1000mm x 30m roll for larger areas.

Jointing tape

Board and membrane systems each have a tape built for them. British Gypsum Gyproc Joint Tape and Thistle ProTape FT50 and FT100 cover flat drylining joints, with Gyproc Corner Tape and Gyproc LevelLine for corners and angles. Fermacell® Joint Repair Tape and Knauf Glass Fibre Aquapanel Joint Tape are matched to their own board systems. Visqueen and Tyvek tapes seal laps and joints in damp proof membranes and vapour barriers. Match the tape to the system and the manufacturer's guidance holds.

Cloth tape

Black cloth tape in 48mm, 72mm and 96mm on 45m rolls, for the general site work that comes with every job.

Tape seals, it does not fix

Worth saying plainly, because it is asked constantly: tape is a sealing product, not a fixing. If insulation needs holding in place rather than sealing, use insulation anchors, hammer fixings or the correct mechanical fixing for the substrate, then tape the joints once the boards are set.

Benefits of Insulation Tape

• Seals the joints between insulation boards so the insulation layer performs as a whole
• Keeps foil facings continuous across a run
• Reinforces plasterboard joints and reduces cracking through the finish
• Seals laps in damp proof membranes and vapour barriers
• Protects joints against moisture and dust
• Fast to apply, with no cure or drying time before the next stage
• Available in widths from 48mm to 1000mm to match the joint rather than overlap it

Shop Insulation Tape by Job

Sealing insulation board joints

Aluminium foil tape across every board joint, cut to the width of the joint. Used on foil-faced PIR through walls, roofs and floors, and on lagging and ductwork.

Sealing membranes and vapour barriers

Single and double sided jointing tapes from Visqueen and Tyvek for laps and joints in damp proof membranes and vapour barriers, where the seal is what makes the membrane work.

Plasterboard and drylining

Scrim across the seams before filling, with system-specific jointing tapes from British Gypsum, Fermacell® and Knauf where the board manufacturer calls for one.

Holding insulation in place

This is the one to be clear about, because it is asked constantly. Tape is a sealing product, not a fixing. Insulation that needs supporting should be mechanically fixed with insulation anchors, hammer fixings or the correct fixing for the substrate, with the joints taped once the boards are set.

Why Choose Insulation UK for Insulation Tape?

The Full Range in Stock across foil, scrim, jointing and cloth tape, so a single order covers the sealing on the whole build-up rather than half of it.

All the Leading Brands including British Gypsum, Knauf, Fermacell®, Tyvek and Visqueen, alongside Insulation UK own-brand rolls, all at trade prices.

Competitive Trade Pricing with no minimum order value.

Fast UK-Wide Delivery from our distribution centre in Rotherham, with free shipping on orders over £500 (ex VAT).

Help and Advice with over 50 years in the industry behind the team. If you need a hand matching a tape to a board or membrane system, call us on 03003 034 578.