Vapor barrier tape plays a massive role in creating an energy-efficient, durable, and healthy building.
Sealing vapor barrier seams with high-performing tape prevents moisture from migrating into your crawl space. It creates an uninterrupted air barrier for a tighter building envelope while reducing moisture invasion and accumulation into the wall system.
In a nutshell, the top vapor barrier tapes can open up a new world of possibilities—but there’s one slight problem.
With myriad barrier tape options flooding the market, it can be challenging to differentiate between scam products and those that actually work. Therefore, our experts took it on themselves to try, test, and review various brands to ensure you find a vapor barrier tape that fulfills your needs.
The vapor barrier tapes reviewed in this post are not only pocket-friendly but also high-performing and super easy to use. Available in a broad range of sizes, colors, and materials, our round-up covers five vapor barrier tape rolls suitable for every budget.
With quick and easy-to-apply vapor barrier tape rolls, several practical purposes can be accomplished, such as:
- Improved energy efficiency
- Improved indoor air quality
- Longer building lifespans
- Prevent structurally damaging and unhealthy mold growth
A vapor barrier tape’s unique adhesive property is excellent for covering and bonding the overlaps of numerous surface types, including chipboard, plywood, and malleable vapor barrier materials.
The high-performing adhesive system adheres exceptionally well to the polar surfaces of both on-polar, low-energy surfaces and solid construction materials.
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Best Vapor Barrier Tape Rolls
Our top vapor barrier tapes round-up included options from brands like Crawl Space Door Systems, 3M, The Gorilla Glue Company, and more. While some of the products are under $100, some options are available on the market that cost more.
Moreover, many of these products are readily available on Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
Let’s closely look at each:
Crawl Space Door Systems Vapor Barrier Seam Tape
Crawl Space Door Systems vapor barrier tape is a failsafe product for binding moisture barrier seals and seams when encapsulating a crawl space. The tape works equally well for covering vapor barrier stakes or for a more refined and polished finish.
Homeowners can also utilize this multi-purpose UV-resistant polyethylene roll for surface protection, splicing or seaming pipefitting covers, color-coding, and covering surfaces during paint and stucco application.
The roll is four inches wide and 180 feet long with a thickness of nine mils. In addition, Crawl Space Door Systems’ vapor barrier tape works great for carpet padding, under floating floors, and more!
Here are some of its most prominent features:
- Superior adhesive properties for crawl space floor and wall liners
- Ideal for binding moisture barrier seals and seams when encapsulating crawl spaces
- Multi-purpose usage – ideal for restoration and abatement, boat/marine preservation, patch, and repairs, shrink wrap, pipes, stucco application, outdoor masking, etc.
- Suitable for carpet padding and under floating floors
BUY FROM AMAZON – Starting from $27.99
| SPECIFICATIONS | Brand: Crawl Space Door Systems, Inc. Color: White Product Material: Rubber, Polyethylene Size: 4 inches x 180 feet Item Weight: 2.35 lbs. Product Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 6 inches Thickness: 9 mils |
| REASONS TO BUY | High performing Heavy duty and commercial grade Waterproof and moisture-resistant High-quality synthetic rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive coating UV-resistant Versatile use Excellent adhesive properties for wall or floor liners of a crawl space Easy to use Fast application Designed to withstand most demanding conditions Highly-durable, insulating, sticky, water and weatherproof |
| CUSTOMER RATING | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: Heavy duty, commercial grade white vapor barrier tape measures 4in wide x 180ft long and is 9mil thick. It's highly durable, sticky, insulating, weather and water proof and designed to withstand the most demanding conditions. Finish jobs with speed and reliability.
- DURABILITY: Moisture resistant PE (Polyethylene) film backing features an extremely sticky adhesive for seaming and sealing plastic poly liners and vapor barriers. Provides a great sealant for crawl space wall liners, dust barriers, canvas and more.
- CRAWLSPACE ENCAPSULATIONS: High performance and superior quality synthetic rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive coating is designed to offer high conformability that bonds well to a variety of surfaces.
- MULTIPURPOSE: This UV-resistant film is ideal for abatement and restoration, marine and boat preservation, shrink wrap, patch and repairs, pipes, outdoor masking of stucco application and painting, basement and underlayment.
- OUR PROMISE TO YOU: Our tape is made from the best materials, supplies and quality available. Reliability you can count on!
3M Construction Seaming Tape
3M Construction Seaming Tape is a sheathing tape suitable for cold and high temperatures. The product is specially designed to seal joints on exterior sheathing materials and house wrap.
It boasts a sturdy pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive affixed over a polypropylene film. Although it works well in both warm and humid conditions, the tape performs remarkably well in cold-temperature applications.
You can use this multi-purpose sheathing tape for several applications (internal and external), such as sealing, seaming, splicing, and repairing materials needed in moisture barriers. In addition, the product can help homeowners reduce air infiltration, improve insulation effectiveness, and decrease overall HVAC costs.
In addition, the tape features a low rate of moisture vapor transmission and doesn’t compromise performance. Once bonded, it offers great holding power for long periods. It does not lift or curl and has good aging.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Brand: 3M Color: Red Product Material: Acrylic, Polyethylene Length: 54.68 yards Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.5 x 12.12 inches |
| REASONS TO BUY | Suitable for both cold and high heat temperatures Humidity-friendly Heavy duty and commercial grade Waterproof and moisture-resistant Versatile use Suitable for sealing, seaming, splicing, and repairing Easy to use Fast application UV-resistant Aggressive adhesive properties for quick stick Suitable for internal and external applications Highly durable, insulating, sticky, water and weatherproof |
| CUSTOMER RATING | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
- VERSATILE SHEATHING TAPE designed for seaming, splicing, sealing, and repairing materials used for moisture barriers, both inside and out. Applies to all major house wraps
- BOPP: 3M's 8087CS is a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) tape coated with an aggressive acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive
- PERFORMS WELL IN COLD TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HEAT AND HUMIDITY CONDITIONS: Cold temperature acrylic bonds on contact to a variety of materials at temperatures as low as 14 F (-10 C). Service temperatures of -40 F to 185 F.
- IMPROVES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INSULATION: Taping seams aids in reducing air infiltration, improves the effectiveness of insulation and reduces heating and cooling costs.
- RECOMMENDED APPLICATIONS: Closure system and seam sealer on housewrap and exterior sheathing materials, seaming polyethylene vapor barriers, repairing holes and tears in exterior building wraps, and seaming extruded foam products
Gorilla All Weather Tape
The All-Weather Waterproof Tape by the Gorilla Glue Company is excellent for both outdoor repairs and sealing vapor barriers. It features a weather-resistant shell and an incredibly sturdy permanent butyl adhesive, allowing this product to endure the most extreme weather conditions.
The best thing about this vapor barrier tape is that it resists cracking, drying, and peeling caused by elements such as moisture, heat, cold, and sunlight. Additionally, it is suitable for both cold and high heat temperatures.
Apply to a clean surface free of dirt, dust, and debris for best results. The tape works great on stone, wood, metal, vinyl, stucco, and more.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Brand: The Gorilla Glue Company Color: Black Product Material: Butyl Rubber Size: 1.88 inches x25 yards Product Dimensions: 5.25 x 5.25 x 1.5 inches Weight: 1 lb |
| REASONS TO BUY | Permanent bond Designed to withstand the most demanding outdoor conditions Suitable for both cold and high heat temperatures Incredibly strong butyl adhesive Resists cracking, drying, peeling Waterproof and moisture-resistant Versatile use Easy to use Fast application Less tacky but permanent UV-resistant Aggressive adhesive properties for quick stick Suitable for internal and external applications Highly durable, insulating, sticky, water and weatherproof |
| CUSTOMER RATING | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
- Gorilla All Weather Waterproof Duct Tape is designed for outdoor repairs that need to stand up to extreme weather conditions with a permanent bond
- Made with an incredibly strong, permanent, butyl adhesive and a weather resistant shell, this tape withstands even extreme weather conditions
- Works in hot and cold temperatures with a service temperature range of -40° F to 200° F; Application temperature above 40° F
- Gorilla All Weather Waterproof Duct Tape's low tack, strong adhesive resists drying, cracking, and peeling caused by sunlight, heat, cold, and moisture
- Gorilla All Weather Waterproof Duct Tape can be used on tarps, roofs, plastic sheeting, vents, RV's, automotive and much, much more
IPG Sheathing Tape
This sheathing roll by IPG is a BOPP film tape and features a strong acrylic adhesive. It is specially designed and engineered for permanent sealing and seaming joints in foam insulation, house wrap insulations, and other sheathing materials.
This tape effectively secures lap edges in vapor barriers and repairs rips and tears in construction films, batt insulation, etc. In addition, the product is also used to eliminate drafts around door and window openings. The roll is 1.88 inches wide and 54.6 yards in length.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Brand: IPG Color: White Product Material: Foam Size: 1.88 inches x54.6 yards Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 12 inches Weight: 5.9 ounces |
| REASONS TO BUY | Superior sealing adhesion Great value for money Designed and engineered especially for permanent sealing/seaming of joints Best for house wrap insulations Easy handling Eliminates drafts around door and window openings Suitable for both cold and high heat temperatures Incredibly strong butyl adhesive Fast application UV-resistant |
| CUSTOMER RATING | 4.4 out of 5 stars |
- Sheathing tape designed and engineered for permanent seaming and sealing of joints in foam insulation and house wrap applications
- Provides superior sealing, protective benefits, and ease of handling
- Eliminates drafts around window and door openings
- UV resistant and provides Superior bonding at sub-zero (as low as -40°C) or at elevated temperatures
3M Scotch 3311 Aluminum Foil Tape
This vapor barrier tape product by 3M is a general-purpose, soft aluminum foil-backed tape. It comes with a paper liner that’s specially designed and engineered for maximum adhesion over dry, clean surfaces.
It comprises a pressure-sensitive, high-tack rubber adhesive, making it suitable for hard-to-adhere surfaces like low-energy substrates. In addition, 3M Silver Tape also bonds exceptionally well with smooth, regular, irregular, and powder-painted surfaces.
This product is superb for seaming and patching tears in metal ducts, sheet metals, thermal insulation systems, and aluminum-backed fiberglass. It also features thermal conductivity and high heat reflectivity to protect heat-sensitive tools from moisture, smoke, low/high temperatures, and vermin.
The roll is two inches wide by five yards in length.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Brand: 3M Color: Silver Product Material: Aluminum Size: 2 inches x 5 yards Product Dimensions: 2 x 2.1 x 1.8 inches Weight: 0.320 ounces |
| REASONS TO BUY | Superior sealing adhesion Great value for money Resists moisture, flame, weather, UV degradation, smoke, and water vapor Suitable for most weather conditions Suitable for numerous temperatures Multi-purpose Easy handling Can act as a vapor barrier Fast application |
| CUSTOMER RATING | 4.4 out of 5 stars |
- Adhesive Tape: this foil tape with aggressive rubber adhesive sticks well to most surfaces. The vapor shielding tape also adheres to irregular surfaces, irrespective of the weather conditions
- Applications: the silver aluminum tape can be used for shielding, patching, seaming, and sealing to protect the materials from moisture, heat, odor, and chemical transmission. It is ideal for use in repair tasks
- Temperature Friendly: the odor resistant tape meets American UL-723 standards for flame spread and smoke. The rubber adhesive tape dissipates excess heat and ensures heating and cooling efficiency of sensitive materials
- Multipurpose Tape: this adhesive foil tape works suitably well in general, commercial, and industrial applications. It can be used for aluminum seams and joints, sheet metals, fibrous and metal ducts, and aluminum backed duct boards
- Specifications: this silver foil tape measures 2 in. in width, 5 yd. in length, and weighs 0.32 oz. The paper-lined tape can sustain -10 deg. – 180 deg. temperature
Choosing the Best Vapor Barrier Tape
Vapor barrier tapes undeniably play a crucial role in creating an airtight building envelope for a healthier and more energy-efficient space.
Good quality and high-performing tape can help prevent moisture intrusion and accumulation—a significant cause of structurally damaging and unhealthy mold.
The best vapor barrier tape rolls will also ensure you enjoy maximum comfort and convenience during their use.
Any of the five products listed above would make for an excellent purchase and will surely satisfy your building sealing needs.
The best part about these vapor barrier rolls is their durability, reasonable price, and versatile use—we wouldn’t steer you wrong!
As always, let us know if you have any questions about the aforementioned products or want to learn more about them. We’ll be more than glad to be of assistance.
