Choosing the Right Double Sided Tape for Your Application

The adhesive solutions industry is awash with all kinds of misconceptions, but few have persisted quite like this one: all double sided tapes are interchangeable. The truth is, they're not. Ask anyone who's ever had signage fall off, trim peel away, or insulation sag prematurely, and they'll tell you tape failure is real.

Do most tape failures stem from the tape being "bad", you wonder? Not really. Pairing the wrong adhesive with the wrong surface is what causes things to go awry. double sided adhesive tape is a high-performance tool in every sense of the word, but only when matched correctly to the task at hand.

If you're an industry buyer, production manager, or fabricator seeking reliable bonding solutions, this blog is for you. It's a practical breakdown at its core, meticulously explaining which double sided tape works best with what and where.

When searching for premium double sided tapes, look no further than Tape Jungle. We can meet all of your needs with our vast array of products tailored for diverse applications.

Why the Surface You're Bonding to Changes Everything

When it comes to choosing the best double sided tape, it's prudent to first understand what you're sticking it to. Wood and metal won't behave the same with adhesives. The same goes for plastic and foam. Why? Two factors are at play here: surface energy and surface texture.

Surface Energy: The Difference Maker in the Adhesion Game

As a concept, surface energy describes how easily a liquid can spread across-and bond to-a surface. To that end, high-energy surfaces like metal and glass are easier to bond to because adhesives flow and wet out across the surfaces rather easily.

On the flip side, low-energy surfaces like polyethylene and polypropylene plastics are more difficult to bond to. These materials contain very few molecular forces compared to their high-energy counterparts. As a result, adhesives fail to establish intimate contact with the surface right away and end up wearing off pretty quickly.

Texture and Porosity

Rough or porous surfaces-think: unfinished wood or foam-need aggressive adhesives or thicker carriers. The reason behind this is simple: the gaps need filling and the rough ends require a solution that matches their edginess.

Don't Overlook the Tape's Backing and Adhesive Type

Just as important as understanding the science of surface selection is ensuring that tape backing (scrim, PET, PVC) and adhesive type (acrylic, rubber, solvent-based) perfectly align with the substrate. Backing is what contributes flexibility, rigidity, and strength, while adhesive chemistry dictates the tape's performance under heat, stress, and moisture.

Double Sided Tape Solutions by Material Type

One thing is clear: different material types call for different industrial double sided tape options from Tape Jungle.

Let's explore which tape suits which material best across the most popular application areas.

Double Sided Tape for Metal

Metals are generally easy to bond to courtesy of their high surface energy, but smooth finishes and potential surface contaminants pose significant challenges.

Common materials: Stainless steel, aluminum, coated or painted metals.

Use cases: Architectural panels, signage mounting, appliance trim, nameplates.

Tape recommendation:Tape Jungle's Double Sided Polyester 7.6 Mil (54123)

Standout features:

Clear PET backing
Solvent acrylic adhesive
Excellent shear strength and UV resistance
Withstands high temperatures

Why it works: Because this tape is meant for smooth, rigid surfaces, it bodes well with metal's innate capabilities. The impact is a lasting bond, even in the hottest or UV-exposed environments like outdoor signage.

Notes: Before taping, be sure to clean the target surface thoroughly. Oils and residue are notorious for interfering with adhesion.

Double Sided Tape for Wood

Wood is porous, textured, and variable, which can only mean one thing: standard adhesives simply won't hold up. The secret is to choose a tape that can bridge irregular surfaces while maintaining bond strength over time, no matter the type of wood you're working with.

Types: Raw wood, plywood, MDF, finished hardwood.

Use cases: Furniture, cabinetry, architectural displays, signage mounting.

Tape recommendation:

Tape Jungle's Double Sided Heavy-Duty Scrim Tape (54623MF)

Standout features:

Reinforced scrim backing for the roughest, most porous surfaces
Aggressive hold for textured surfaces
Durable, for years, not months

Why it works: Porous and rough wood surfaces call for reinforced tape to maintain intimate contact across the surface texture. This scrim adhesive fits the bill to a tee.

Notes: When it comes to heavy bonding, this scrim tap can capably mount wood onto metal, form, or plastics.

Double Sided Tape for Plastic (Especially Low-Energy Plastics like PE, PP)

The mere mention of the word "plastic" evokes images of a material that simply won't bond with regular adhesives. The alternative? A specially formulated adhesive that can handle flexible or chemically resistant plastic surfaces with zero trouble.

Challenges: Low surface energy, flexibility, and sometimes, chemical residue.

Use cases: POS displays, plastic trim, foam mounting, and molded parts.

Tape recommendation:

Tape Jungle's Double Sided White PVC Tape 9.0 Mil (54420)

Standout features:

High-performance acrylic adhesive
Bonds reliably well to difficult, edgy surfaces
Comes with flexible PVC backing

Why it works: The acrylic adhesive is incredibly aggressive, so much so that it "grips" plastic surfaces that are traditionally thought to be stubborn. In other words, it bonds superbly across multiple plastic types, not just PE and PP.

Notes: Some plastics may have mold release agents, which can overpower even the strongest adhesives.

Double Sided Tape for Foam and Rubber

Forget how foam and rubber appear at first glance. At their core, they have unique traits that demand equally unique tapes.

Characteristics: Soft, compressible, with a textured or open-cell structure.

Use cases: Automotive seals, gaskets, vibration control, and insulation panels.

Tape options:

PE foam-based double sided tapes-ideal pick: Tape Jungle's Double Sided Polyethylene Foam Tape (15XXX)
Modified acrylic scrim tape, such as Tape Jungle's Double Sided Heavy-Duty Scrim Tape 9.1 Mil (54623MF)

Standout features:

Infinitely conformable
Absorbs shock rather well
Even in extreme pressure environments, adhesive remains intact and unscathed

Why it works: Foam is inherently compressible and textured. As such, only a thick carrier can conform to the surface irregularities it presents.

Notes: Your best choice is a tape that's agile enough to align to the most uneven of surfaces while seamlessly absorbing pressure. For those in the automotive and HVAC industries, especially, this requirement is a no-brainer.

Double Sided Tape for Glass and Smooth Surfaces

Glass might be easy to bond, but that's just one of many factors you ought to consider for a smooth, compromise-free look.

Characteristics: High surface energy, slick and rigid.

Use cases: Backlit signage, architectural panels, display cases, and mirrors.

Tape recommendation:

Clear PET or acrylic-based double-coated tapes (think: 54123 or custom acrylic options).

Standout features:

Clean, slick appearance
Superb UV resistance
Strong initial tack
Superior clarity and transparency

Why it works: In areas where aesthetics are non-negotiable, clear adhesives leave no residue in sight. Not even behind glass or acrylic panels.

Notes: For sun-exposed applications like storefront glass or display cases, you're better off selecting UV-resistant tapes.

Double Sided Tape for Carpet and Flooring Surfaces

Choosing the right double sided tape from Tape Jungle.

To say that flooring applications are demanding is an understatement. This is especially true when trying to bond fibrous carpet to hard surfaces like, say, tile. Selecting the right double sided carpet tape can make all the difference.

Characteristics: Textured, fibrous, and may involve adhesion to both soft and hard materials.

Use cases: Securing rugs, installing temporary carpets at trade shows/events, or anti-slip positioning in high-traffic areas.

Tape Recommendation:

Double Sided Carpet Tape (Varieties may include heavy-duty scrim or film-based adhesives)

Standout features:

Strong adhesive on both sides
Tear-resistant
Easy-release liners for swift installation

Notes:

For temporary use, choose tape that's rated highly on the residue-free removal front.
This tape's perfect for event planners, flooring installers, and facilities management.
Some varieties work on both low-pile and commercial-grade carpets, adhering brilliantly to concrete, vinyl, and tile.

Tips for Stress-Free Double Sided Tape Application: The Must-Dos

Before you start your project, here are a few double sided tape application tips you should consider:

Surface prep matters

A dirt-ridden surface is adhesion's worst enemy. When cleaning surfaces, use isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to remove not just dust, but oils, fingerprints, and mold-release agents as well.

Apply pressure evenly

Adhesive, especially acrylic, bonds best when pressed firmly and uniformly across the entire surface.

Consider environment

Adhesives need space and time to cure. So any changes in temperature and humidity will inevitably derail its curing time. To ensure the bond doesn't weaken prematurely, apply tapes in conditions closest to room temperature. It's also best to avoid unnecessary UV exposure.

Test before large-scale applications

This is especially important for plastics or painted surfaces. Such materials are naturally sensitive. It's difficult to tell how they'll react to certain adhesives. So, before intensifying production, be sure to apply a sample and test peel strength so you don't end up wasting tape.

Tape Jungle offers the full breadth of double sided tapes. So no matter where or how you want to apply your tape of choice, you won't run out of options.

Final Thoughts

Many people perceive double sided tape as a mere sticky strip that doesn't require any prior consideration. But the truth is, it does. When matched correctly to your material and use case, it becomes a precise, top-tier bonding tool that ensures product integrity, expedites production, and supercharges efficiency.

Speaking of efficiency, it's difficult to achieve it if double sided tape is nothing more than a generic tool in your world. Choosing based on substrate and area of application is the only way you'll steer clear of costly adhesive mishaps.

At Tape Jangle, we understand that your needs are specialized, and we'll treat them that way from the get-go. Our extensive selection of industrial-grade double sided adhesive tapes has everything you're looking for. Add to that above-par technical support, and you have the full ammunition for taping that you've always craved.