HVAC tape's a solid choice—used it on ductwork in my last reno.
- Costs a bit more than painter's tape, but nothing crazy.
- Definitely worth it to dodge that fiberglass itch... learned that the hard way myself.
HVAC tape does the job, sure, but honestly, I'd skip it and go straight for foil-faced insulation wrap. Costs a bit more upfront, but it's way more effective at sealing and insulating ducts properly. Plus, it cuts down on energy loss—saving you money in the long run. Learned this after seeing clients struggle with patchy tape jobs that peeled off after a few years... trust me, you'll thank yourself later.
Foil-faced insulation wrap is solid advice, but I wouldn't completely dismiss HVAC tape. I've seen it hold up pretty well when applied correctly—clean surface, tight wrap, and a good quality tape. The peeling usually happens because people rush the job or use cheap tape. If budget's tight and you can't swing the foil wrap right now, careful taping can still get you decent results... just gotta be meticulous about prep and application.
I recently tackled something similar in my own attic. Initially, I was skeptical about HVAC tape too, but after following advice similar to yours—cleaning thoroughly and wrapping tightly—it’s actually held up surprisingly well so far. Careful prep definitely makes a difference.
"Careful prep definitely makes a difference."
Totally agree about prep being key, but gotta admit, HVAC tape never really worked out for me long-term. Maybe it's just my attic's humidity levels or something, but after about a year, it started peeling off at the edges. Ended up switching to mastic sealant instead—bit messier to apply, sure, but it's held rock-solid ever since. Might be worth considering if you notice any issues down the road. Glad yours is holding up though... maybe I just got unlucky with my tape!
