Self-adhesive tapes for the building and construction industry
Tapes are commonly used in the building industry. These tapes are popular because they offer a convenient and reliable way to join or bond materials without the need for additional adhesives or fasteners. As a manufacturer of self-adhesive tapes, we know that adhesive tapes are an important component in the building industry and play a big role in many constructions and maintenance projects. We also understand that the usage of a faulty or dysfunctional tape can be a limiting factor in (long-term) the success of projects. Our strength lies in engineering self-adhesive tapes that are easy to work with, deliver constant high quality, and simply do the job day in and day out.
Airtight building
Plinths, skirt boards, and trims
Pitched roofs, facades, and windows
Transition profiles & thresholds
AntiDUST® tape for multi-wall polycarbonate
Tailored solutions
More information
Tapes are commonly used in the building industry. We recognize the challenges of discovering the right tape, as it often involves extensive effort. Let us do the work!
Airtight membranes are commonly used in airtight building to provide a continuous layer of airtightness throughout the building envelope. Bonding the membranes is an important step in creating an effective air barrier. The airtightness of your building envelope is as good as its weakest link! Here are some general steps for bonding airtight membranes:
- Prepare the surfaces: The surfaces where the membrane will be applied must be clean, dry, and free of dust, moisture, dirt, and debris.
- Seal the edges: After the membrane is installed, seal the edges and any gaps or joints with a compatible tape. This will ensure a continuous layer of airtightness throughout the building envelope. Make sure the tape is compatible with both the membrane and the (uneven) surface.
- Test the air barrier: perform an air leakage test to ensure that the air barrier is effective. This can be done using a blower door test, which measures the rate of air leakage .
Make sure that your tape has the correct certificates for inside usage such as EMICODE and/or A+ for a comfortable living space. More information on EMICODE.
When it comes to selecting a self-adhesive tape for use in an airtight building construction, it's important to choose a tape that is specifically designed for this purpose. So, we’re sorry, but there is no easy answer. As experts, we can help you make this decision and guide you through the engineering process. Here are a few types of tape that are commonly used for airtight building construction:
- Rubber-based tapes: Rubber-based tapes are known for their ability to conform to irregular surfaces. They are often used for sealing joints, seams, and penetrations in airtight constructions. Multifoil can deliver up to 3,5mm solvent free tapes for building and construction conform the certificates EMICODE and EC1 PLUS.
- Butyl-based tapes: Butyl-based tapes are known for their flexibility and durability. They are used for sealing around penetrations and for creating airtight connections between different materials. They are mostly used on the outside of the building shell. We can deliver butyl tapes in different sizes and lengths.
- Foam-based tapes: Foam-based tapes are used for sealing gaps and cracks in building envelopes. They can be compressed to fill gaps and provide excellent air-sealing properties. We can deliver foam tapes with different density, adhesive, colors and thicknesses.
- Acrylic-based tapes: commonly used for air tight sealing in outside and UV exposed applications. Weather resistance: Acrylic tapes are resistant to weathering and UV degradation, which means they can maintain their adhesion and sealing properties over time, even when exposed to sunlight, rain, or temperature changes. We manufacture acrylic solvent free and low VOC emissions tapes up to 130my.
When selecting a tape for airtight building construction, it's important to choose a tape that is appropriate for the specific application. It's also important to ensure that the tape is compatible with other building materials and that it meets relevant building codes and standards like EMICODE or A+.
The correct tape improves airtightness and is a real asset in your construction. Your building envelope is as strong as your weakest link within the construction. The wrong tape can cause unwanted leakage and airflow. When properly applied, a tape can seal gaps and joints in building components, preventing the infiltration of air and moisture.
Different substrates and membranes can ask for a different tape. Bonding these materials together can be a challenge. Please make sure to test all tapes on all your material before applying it into a critical application such as airtight building. Any questions? Just ask one of our experts.
Although self-adhesive products are usually and easy and clean method of installing, making a product self-adhesive in-line can be difficult. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- The difficulty depends on the characteristics of the substrate. Some materials are inherently challenging to bond with adhesives, such as certain plastics or low-surface-energy materials like polypropylene. When in doubt, contact one of our experts. www.multifoil.com/en/contact
- Adhesive Selection: choosing the right adhesive is crucial for achieving a strong and durable bond. The adhesive must be compatible with the materials involved and should offer appropriate adhesion properties, such as peel strength, shear strength, and temperature resistance. Finding the right adhesive formulation can require testing and experimentation.
- Surface Preparation: Proper surface preparation is essential to ensure good adhesion. Surfaces must be clean, free from contaminants, and sometimes roughened or treated to enhance adhesive bonding. Incorporating surface preparation steps into the production line may require additional machinery or modifications.
Overall, making a product self-adhesive (in-line) can range from being relatively straightforward to more complex, depending on the factors mentioned above. Engaging with adhesive experts or process engineers can be helpful in assessing the feasibility and determining the best approach for your specific product and production line. Contact us on info@multifoil.nl if you need any guidance.
Even the most experienced craftsman sometimes don’t have enough knowledge on working with tape. When it comes to installing with self-adhesive tapes, here are the top three tips to ensure a successful application:
- Preparing the surface: properly preparing the surface is crucial for a strong bond. Ensure that the surface is clean, dry, and free from any dust, dirt, or oil. Clean the surface using a mild detergent and make sure it is completely dry before applying the tape.
- Application: pay attention to the application technique to achieve optimal results. Start by measuring and cutting the tape to the desired length and shape. Remove a small section of the backing liner and carefully align the tape with the intended surface, ensuring a straight and even application. Gradually remove the backing liner while pressing the tape firmly onto the surface, smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles as you go along. Apply consistent pressure for a secure bond.
- Temperature considerations: temperature can significantly affect the performance of self-adhesive tapes. Ensure that the installation temperature and storing temperature fall within the recommended range provided. Generally, most tapes adhere well to room temperature. However, when working in extreme heat, cold and/or moist conditions, it might be wise to engage with one of our experts at info@multifoil.nl
Yes, it can be important. When the tape is being applied to a surface, the start speed refers to how quickly the tape starts to make contact with the surface. If the start speed is too fast, the tape may not have enough time to properly adhere to the surface, leading to a weaker bond. Time is one of the most important factors in creating a strong bond.
Secondly, if the stop or re-start speed is too fast, some types of tape or liners may rupture, leading to machine stoppage and requiring repeated cleaning to remove any tape residue.
Firstly, it ensures a more secure and stable bond between the tape and the flooring. When the tape precisely matches the profile of the flooring, it creates a stronger, more even bond that helps prevent the tape from peeling away or becoming dislodged. No bleeding onto the substrate.
Secondly, it can help to create a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing finish. A tape that matches the flooring profile will blend seamlessly into the surface, creating a uniform and professional-looking finish.
Thirdly, it can help to improve safety by reducing the risk of trips and falls. A tape that sits flush with the flooring is less likely to create a tripping hazard than a tape that is raised or uneven. A tape that is unstable in its bond will loosen over time and the profile will detach itself from the substrate.
Overall, designing a self-adhesive tape that precisely matches the flooring profile can provide a more secure, aesthetically pleasing, and safe solution for a range of flooring applications.
Especially in the DIY market, it can be very handy and easy to just peel away a liner and adhere the profile straight to the floor.
A specially designed tape can provide instant adhesion without drying times compared to for example wet adhesives. Tapes also provide a great alternative to mechanical fasteners like nails and screws because they form an invisible bond leaving the surface of the profile clean and smooth. Not allowing dirt and dust to collect. Our tape solutions offer a high quality and immediate ready-to-use solution for your customer.
Condensation occurs naturally in multi-wall sheets due to the relative humidity in the atmosphere. When water vapor encounters cooler surfaces, it transforms into droplets, which then merge to create liquid within the multi-wall flutes or cells. The Multifoil AntiDUST® tape filter utilizes a unique surface treatment that facilitates the swift evacuation of accumulated condensation, while still maintaining the size of the micromesh barrier that prevents other contaminants from entering the cells. Algae and fungus both require water to survive, making condensation their lifeblood. It is essential to remove condensation as quickly as possible to prevent their growth. However, many competitor products fail to drain adequately, creating an environment that is ideal for algae reproduction.
Extensive research has uncovered a number of unusual phenomena related to condensation in multi-wall panels. To address this issue, a suggestion was put forward to seal both ends of the panels. However, practical tests have shown that this approach is not effective, as condensation still accumulates within the flutes. Further analysis has revealed that even if the multi-wall sheets were sealed under near-vacuum conditions, condensate would still form.
The reason for this is that the surface of the multi-wall panels behaves like a semi-permeable membrane, allowing water vapor to penetrate the panels. As a result, continuous drain-ability is necessary to provide an outlet for condensate. This can be achieved through the use of AntiDUST® tape.
Our network of distributors spans across the globe, ensuring that AntiDUST® tape is readily accessible in your local area. To connect with your nearest distributor, kindly get in touch with us on info@antidusttape.com.
If you're interested in becoming a distributor for AntiDUST® Tape, we welcome you to reach out to us on info@antidusttape.com so that we can explore various options together.
Proper surface preparation is crucial to ensure optimal adhesion and performance when applying self-adhesive tape. Here are some general steps to prepare the surface before applying self-adhesive tape:
- Clean the surface: Remove any dirt, debris, loose particles, or contaminants from the area where the tape will be applied. It's important to have a clean surface for the tape to adhere properly.
- Ensure dryness: Ensure that the surface is completely dry before applying the self-adhesive tape. Moisture or dampness can hinder the adhesive's effectiveness. If needed, allow the surface to dry naturally or use a dryer or heat gun to accelerate the drying process. Be cautious when using heat to avoid damaging other materials.
- Check temperature requirements: Check the temperature range as specified for applying the self-adhesive tape. Most of our tapes require specific temperature conditions for optimal adhesion. Ensure the surface and ambient temperatures fall within the recommended range.
It's like walking through an open door, but ensuring both the quality and making the right fitted choice are absolutely crucial. Unfortunately, history has repeatedly shown us that opting for a suboptimal option or following misguided advice often leads to disastrous outcomes.
However, it's important to note that the actual lifespan of the tape can be influenced by factors such as exposure to extreme temperatures, and UV radiation for instance through leakage, moisture, chemicals, and the overall maintenance of the roof. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure that the complete structure remains intact and functioning properly. All these factors determine our advice, but also our dedication to manufacturing quality tapes for the building industry.
Self-adhesive tapes have various applications in roof construction. Some common uses of self-adhesive tapes include:
- Seam sealing: Self-adhesive tapes are used to seal seams and joints in roofing materials, such as overlapping sections of membrane roofs, foils, or joining sections. They provide an additional layer of waterproofing and help prevent water penetration.
- Roof underlayment: Certain self-adhesive tapes are designed to be used as an additional layer of moisture barrier and protection beneath the primary roofing materials.
- Flashing repairs: Roof flashing is used to seal and protect vulnerable areas where the roof meets other elements like walls, chimneys, vents, or skylights. Self-adhesive tapes can be used to repair or reinforce flashing, ensuring a watertight seal and preventing leaks.
- Leak repairs: Self-adhesive tapes are often used as a temporary or emergency solution to repair leaks in the roof. They can provide immediate protection until a permanent repair can be carried out.
- Temporary repairs: In situations where a more extensive roof repair or replacement is required, self-adhesive tapes can serve as a temporary measure to prevent further damage or water intrusion.
Our promise
We have the advantage of possessing an in-house laboratory, a proficient R&D team, and 4 decades of production know-how. This enables us to engineer and produce the most optimal long-term results for you.
At our company, we strive to provide excellence in all aspects of our operations, including the sourcing of high-quality raw materials, the manufacturing of top-notch products, rigorous development and testing processes, and outstanding service delivery to our valued customers. Rest assured that our commitment to quality is unwavering.
We understand that collaborating towards a solution and sharing your knowledge, developments and market insight can be a daunting task. However, please be assured that we value integrity and trust above all else in our work with you. Any confidential information you share with us will be kept strictly confidential and if needed we will be happy to sign an NDA. Let's work together towards finding the best solutions for your needs.
Long-term relationships can seem almost inevitable when bonding is the foundation of your company. We are fortunate that many of our valued customers, both large and small, choose to stay with us for extended periods, often until the end of their application. Equally important to us are our suppliers, to whom we remain loyal, just as our customers remain loyal to us. And finally, our team - once you become part of our ‘sticky’ group, it's challenging to break away.
We take pride in our production facility, equipped with over 20 high-performing converting machines and 5 coating lines for rubber and acrylic. Our team is equally impressive, boasting an average tenure of 14 years, and they are more than capable of tackling any challenge thrown their way. Our shared passion for excellence makes working together a joy, and you will undoubtedly feel this sense of enthusiasm and commitment when collaborating with us.
With our expansive warehouse stocked with finished products and raw materials, we guarantee on-time delivery that precisely matches your specifications. In addition, we can fulfill call-off orders, granting you access to your products exactly when you need them. Our delivery and service team has years of international experience and is eager to assist you in any way they can.