It has become one of those age-old debates on the jobsite – which one is better, gorilla tape or duct tape? Young or old, everyone has their opinion and preference, but the debate goes on. So, to put an end to the workplace disagreement once and for all, we are going to take a closer look at gorilla tape and duct tape to see what their differences are.
Duct tape
We will start with the grandaddy of the two tapes, the duct tape. Created in WWII, duct tape, unlike gorilla tape, has been part of our repair kit for a very long time. It is created with three layers. The top layer is polythene which has been melted into the fabric which makes up the second layer. The final layer is a rubber-based glue. Duct tape is easily torn with your fingers, yet it is strong, water resistant, and flexible. It can be bought in a range of widths, lengths, and colours. Some common uses included closing packing boxes, patching holes, minor repairs, and sealing cracks. It works best on flat surfaces, such as wood, plaster, stone, metal, or brick and comes in different grades of strength.
Gorilla tape
The new tape on the block is gorilla tape, creating jobsite debate since 2005. It too has three layers beginning with a weather resistant outer shell, then reinforced fabric, and finally the glue layer. The glue layer in gorilla tape is thicker and more adhesive than duct tape. The makers of gorilla tape boast that is at least twice as thick as duct tape and 145% stronger. Like duct tape, it is still easily torn worth your fingers, comes in different lengths, widths, and colours. Unlike duct tape, gorilla tape only has the one grade of stickiness, but it can stick better to rough surfaces because of the thickness of the glue layer. It lasts longer in the weather and in water.
Pros and cons
There are definite similarities between duct tape and gorilla tape. They both can be used in many of the same circumstances. However, gorilla tape will stick to more surfaces than duct tape, but gorilla tape doesn’t have any grading in its adhesive strength. This can cause surfaces, like paint or wood laminating, to peel when removing the gorilla tape. If you’re not sure which tape would be best for the job you have in mind, then contact the friendly, reputable team at RS and they will give you their expert advice.
So, we haven’t solved the duct or gorilla tape debate, but we have shown that both tapes have their value. They are both similar, but it is their differences that make them both valuable. Gorilla tape works best in the weather, on rough surfaces, and has the strongest grip. Duct tape comes in grip options and is the easier of the two to remove. Whichever tape you prefer, buy them from RS. You can contact the team at RS online, through email, or by phone.
