Duct, Gaffer & Repair Tapes
Tough, General Purpose Tape for Site and Trade Use
Duct and gaffer tape is the tape most people reach for when something needs holding, patching, or bundling quickly and reliably. Built with a cloth or fabric backing and an aggressive adhesive, it's designed to grip a wide range of surfaces and stand up to rough handling, making it a fixture in vans, toolboxes, and site kits across most trades, from general building work to events and stage rigging.
Typical Uses
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Temporary repairs on site
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Bundling and securing cables and pipework
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Sealing and patching ductwork
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General purpose fixing and holding
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Protecting surfaces during construction work
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Floor and cable route marking on site
What Separates a Good Tape From a Poor One
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Tensile strength, since cheap tape tears under load
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Adhesive quality, so it doesn't leave residue or lift over time
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Water resistance for outdoor or damp conditions
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Tear-by-hand convenience for quick site use without tools
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Conformability around curves, corners, and uneven surfaces
A decent gaffer or duct tape holds firm without needing scissors and comes off cleanly when it's meant to, which cheaper alternatives often don't manage, especially after sitting in the sun for a few weeks.
Choosing Between Duct Tape and Gaffer Tape
The two are often used interchangeably, but they're built differently. Gaffer tape has a matte cloth finish and is designed for clean, residue-free removal, favoured on site where surfaces can't be marked. Duct tape is glossier, more aggressive, and better suited to permanent or semi-permanent patching where removal isn't a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between duct tape and gaffer tape?
Gaffer tape is matte finished and removes more cleanly, while duct tape is glossier, stickier, and can leave adhesive residue behind after extended use. - Is gaffer tape waterproof?
Most grades offer good water resistance, useful for temporary outdoor repairs, though it isn't intended as a permanent weatherproofing solution for exposed joints. - Can repair tape be used on damp surfaces?
Some can bond to slightly damp surfaces, but performance drops significantly on wet or dirty surfaces, so drying and cleaning first gives a far more reliable hold.