FEATURE

By Rebecca Blose, Business Development Manager—Building & Construction, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes

PSA tapes are increasingly used as an alternative to liquid adhesives and traditional fastening technologies in building and construction applications.

Today’s building and construction contractors are frequently hampered by labor constraints, increased customer expectations, and fierce competition. The challenge of getting the job done right and done quickly puts a premium on bonding solutions that can save time, reduce effort, and eliminate callbacks.

Advancements in pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape technology have made these products increasingly popular for OEMs who are seeking to offer contractors an easy-to-use and durable bonding solution capable of performing in all types of harsh environments. New PSA tapes in the segment are designed for extensive use and to withstand the effects of climate change, including severe temperature swings, long droughts, or periods of heavy precipitation.

In this article, we’ll explore why PSA tapes are an easy-to-use, conformable, mess-free, and long-lasting alternative to liquid adhesives and traditional fastening technologies in a broad range of building and construction applications — including high-growth markets such as metal building systems.

Rise in PSA Tape Popularity

According to Coherent Market Insights, the global metal building system market is forecast to grow from $493 million to $1.09 billion from 2022 to 2030 (9.2% CAGR). There are several marketplace trends driving the increase in the popularity of metal building construction. Metal is relatively more affordable and accessible than other building materials such as lumber. It’s also easier to work with and maintain throughout the years. Lastly, home and business owners are looking for more sustainable building material alternatives, and in some areas like carbon impact, metal can be a more eco-friendly option than concrete or wood.

With the proliferation of metal building construction, it’s become more important for contractors to choose adhesives with the right security and durability for these applications. PSA tapes are crucial for these applications because they prioritize environmental resilience, ensure longevity in harsh conditions and promote energy efficiency for cost savings over time.

PSA Tapes are engineered from a variety of platforms, including rubber, silicone, water and solvent borne acrylics and are available in many configurations such as double coated, single coated, and unsupported. Your application will determine the best chemistry and construction for your bonding needs They will adhere to a variety of substrates when applied to a clean and dry surface. This has made them a popular solution for several applications related to building construction including roofing, exterior walls, ductwork, doors and windows, overhead doors, gutters, and joists.

How PSA Tapes Address Industry Challenges

Enhancing building envelope performance

A building envelope is a physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building, including the resistance to air, water, heat, light, and noise transfer. High-performance PSA tape products enhance and can be used in various applications within a building envelope. They’re ideal for bonding insulation materials and securing window films, which contributes to improved energy efficiency, enhanced durability, and increased occupant comfort in both residential and commercial buildings.

Roofing and air tightness

Air tightness is a critical consideration within any structure, and for those building envelopes that aren’t properly sealed, many problems can occur. Poor air tightness can lead to increased heat loss, energy consumption, poor acoustics, drafts and dust, improper function of ventilation systems, and deterioration of building materials and insulation due to moisture.

As an example, air tightness is a common issue on building roof membranes, where gaps may occur between sheets and around structures like skylights. Usually supplied in one-meter rolls, roof membranes are often laid out side-by-side to form a continuous layer of protection within the roof. But without holistic connectivity between these sheets, gaps may appear.

PSA tapes play a key role in securely sealing these gaps by offering a bonding solution based on the type of materials involved (be it wood, metal, brick, or other) instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. They are also lightweight, durable and capable of withstanding humidity to keep moisture out and heat in.

Preventing moisture damage

Non-breathable building membranes are designed for the inner side of the building envelope — and help prevent moisture from penetrating the building's insulation. High-performance tapes are needed to apply membranes to walls, roofs, windows, and other interior and external surface materials found in the building envelope. They eliminate gaps in the construction to avoid the ingress of air and moisture, thereby protecting buildings from mold and other water-related damage.

Ease of use and conformability

PSA tapes are conformable and can be easily applied to challenging and hard-to-seal structures such as chimneys, skylights, and ventilation installations. They are also used on surfaces such as masonry, concrete, plaster, wood, metal, plastics, and more.

Thermal break capabilities

PSA tapes can provide insulative properties for building structural elements that use flanges and purlin designs. They can act as a heat barrier, reducing heat conductivity between the framing, paneling, roof, and walls in metal buildings.

Weather robustness and UV stability

PSA tapes are tested for superior performance in a range of temperatures, from high humidity to wet conditions. They also perform well on surfaces that tend to accumulate condensation and are engineered for long-term durability even with regular exposure to sunlight.

Performance and durability that sticks

In the building and construction industry, PSA tapes offer a reliable solution for a diverse range of applications while maintaining high-quality standards. Each kind of adhesive solution is tailored to the specific needs of manufacturers, whether it’s a quick-stick/high-tack adhesive formulation or a single-coated foam tape for insulation purposes.

Selecting the right adhesive and tape construction is essential to ensure the proper performance of a PSA in every application. Different materials and applications require different adhesives. It’s always important to work with your tape or component manufacturer early in the design process to ensure the adhesive is engineered to meet the specific requirements of your application.