Duct vs Gaffa vs Duck tape

[Michael D]

I'm repairing some rotting windows & want something to put over the dodgy bits in case it rains while I'm re-doing them. I thought I'd use Duct tape, but went to my local hardware store & they only had Gaffa tape - is that the same thing? Are they both waterproof?

Also my local Homebase doesn't sell Duct tape but does sell something called Duck tape (which looks very similar). Is it just a manufacturers brand name?

Thanks,

Michael

[Andy Hall]

Duck is a brand of various types of tape, and in common with Loctite and others is owned by Henkel.

Duct tape is generally more widely used in the U.S. and is normally metallised as well as being very sticky and able to seal.

Gaffer tape gets its name from the film industry, where the gaffer is basically the electrician for the set. It is used for many things but popularly for sticking cables down to floors to avoid people tripping over them.

For a temporary application that you describe, I think that either tape will be water proof for long enough.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[Andy Dingley]

They're both the same and both different.

Once upon a time, duct tape was for sealing aircon ducts. It was a weak silver tape, with a weak, but long-term reliable adhesive.

Gaffer tape was for temporary use on stage rigging. It was usually black, but came in other colours too. The tape was always a woven fabric, so that it was easily torn into rectangular strips. The adhesive had a high-tack, but tended to creep over time. Originally not waterproof, it has been for decades.

Store both of these tapes with the reel's axis horizontal, otherwise the glue oozes from the bottom face, especially in hot weather.

Nowadays, there are dozens of brands and the distinctions have been lost, although there are many poor qualities brands and only a few good ones. You can get any colour, and you have to check individual brands to see whether it tears well, and whether the glue works.

"Duck" brand isn't bad.