Red and Blue Tuck Tapes are specialized adhesive tapes used in construction, each tailored for specific applications. Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right one for your project:
1. Intended Use
Red Tuck Tape: Specifically designed for sealing joints and seams of sheathing membranes (i.e. house wraps, etc.). It's commonly used in exterior applications to prevent air and moisture infiltration.- Blue Tuck Tape: Specially formulated for sealing polyethylene vapor barriers and sheathing membranes, in interior and exterior settings. It's approved by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) for both applications, ensuring compliance with building codes.
- White Tuck Tape: The same as Red Tuck Tape, it is designed for sealing joints and seams of sheathing membranes (i.e. house wraps, etc.). It's commonly used in exterior applications to prevent air and moisture infiltration.
2. Adhesive Strength and Thickness
- Red Tuck Tape: Features a robust adhesive suitable for exterior sheathing materials. It has a thickness of approximately 3.0 mils.
- Blue Tuck Tape: Boasts a stronger adhesive with better adhesion properties (66 N/100mm) compared to the red variant (44 N/100mm). It's also thicker, measuring about 4.1 mils, providing a more durable seal for vapor barriers.
- White Tuck Tape: The same as Red Tuck Tape, it features a robust adhesive suitable for exterior sheathing materials. It has a thickness of approximately 3.0 mils.
3. Durability and Weather Resistance
- Red, Blue and White Tuck Tape: Engineered to withstand external environmental conditions, including UV exposure and temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for outdoor use.
4. Color Signficance
- Red Tuck Tape: The red color helps in easily identifying sealed areas on exterior sheathing, aiding in quality control during construction.
- Blue Tuck Tape: The blue hue distinguishes it as the appropriate tape for interior vapor barrier applications and exterior sheathing membranes, ensuring the correct tape is used for specific tasks.
- White Tuck Tape: The white color is used for prefabricated house manufacturers that need an aesthetically pleasing option instead of red.
5. Compliance and Approval
- Red Tuck Tape: Traditionally used for sealing house wraps and exterior sheathing membranes. However, it wasn't specifically evaluated by the CCMC for sealing polyethylene vapor barriers.
- Blue Tuck Tape: Developed to meet CCMC standards for sealing polyethylene vapor barriers and exterior sheathing membranes, ensuring it adheres to building code requirements for such applications.
Conclusion
Selecting the appropriate Tuck Tape is crucial for the effectiveness and longevity of your construction project. Use Red Tuck Tape for exterior sheathing and house wrap sealing, and Blue Tuck Tape for interior polyethylene vapor barriers, as well as exterior sheathing membranes to ensure compliance with building standards and optimal performance.
For detailed specifications and compliance information, refer to the manufacturer's datasheets and CCMC evaluation reports.