Moving Day: Packing Tape or Duct Tape?

Are you moving soon? Are you a first-time mover? If so, you’ve likely given thought to all the things you’ll need leading up to moving day – moving boxes, willing friends, and renting a moving truck. Amidst all the chaos of moving, one essential that should not be neglected is what kind of tape to use to seal your moving boxes. A lot of first-time movers will opt for whatever they have lying around their home – duct tape, vinyl tape, even painter’s tape – though you are best off investing in a good packing tape. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing how best to seal off your goods and valuables on the big day.

Packing Tape vs Duct Tape

Packing tape, without question, is the best for the job. There is a reason why UPS, FedEx, and every other shipping company uses clear packing tape to seal their shipments. It is sturdy, durable, reliable, and goes a long way – for home moves, you don’t need to wrap the box numerous times to ensure that it is safely closed, as one wrap is often enough to get the job done. Duct tape, while famous for its ability to do just about anything, is not ideal for moving boxes as it typically requires multiple wraps to secure a box closed. Anecdotally, duct tape on the bottom seam of a heavy box has not always stood up to the task. Duct tape simply doesn’t adhere as well to cardboard as does pack tape.

Use a Packing Tape Gun

One easy way to speed up the packing process is by using a packing tape gun, which dispenses the tape quickly and easily and saves the trouble of having to rely on your fingers to do the job.

Colour Organize

Some specialized packing tapes even come in different colours and include the names of different rooms inscribed on them every six inches or so which, when applied, identify the contents of the box and the room for which the box is destined on the other side of the move. This small investment can save you a lot of time and frustration and can help make your first move a lot less stressful.

If you need extra space on moving day, we have the right storage unit for you!

sweda

Mike Olsen

18:58 16 Oct 19

This is inexpensive storage that operates 100% as advertised - they do not offer 24/7 access and do not charge 24/7 access pricing. They are incredibly responsive to requests to unlock doors and provide access. It is not fancy but if you need a clean, dry place to store your stuff, you can't beat these guys. Don't expect bells and/or whistles but you also won't be paying for them.

Dave Shirlaw

01:54 10 Jun 19

Have to phone to have buildings unlocked. Annoying.

megan chow

23:06 21 May 19

sara ~

01:04 25 Sep 18

Prices are 1/2 the price of other storage units but it shuts down (locked gates) from 10 am - 6 pm except if you have the enormous ground level outside facing units. Those hours are impossible. The technology getting items up to the second story is an actual forklift thats made stationary. You balance your items up the forklift (and you raise the wooden pallet up yourself) Then you must walk up stairs and hope their is a dolly available to wind precariously around tiny turning hallways. Budget carpentry and ancient carpet in the units. The trolleys sound and feel like their from 1980's and are either coached to disobey or they keep their own counsel. They say its secure but I had a neighbor pick something up and they weren't even asked for permission. I explicitly stated only I was to have access. They said they do not let it happen. The locks are your own, but the flip closure is attached by 3/4 wood screws easily and possibly quite quietly could be opened and emptied with no one batting an eye. A kid could detach it with anything. They have "24 hour security" which means a guy lives on site. Does he/she have CCTV access? Probably not, nor would you want that job. Are there motion sensors? Not likely as sometimes the lights won't turn on and finding a switch in the straggly wandering corridors is impossible. They do not offer insurance. You have to sign forms saying all the things you will and won't do, but they are not liable if anything happens: theft, fire, water, vandals, pests etcSo despite all those complaints, its still 4/5 only because of the prices.