Professional Tape Measures

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The Tape Store is the UK's No.1 Retailer of Professional Tape Measures stocking a huge selection of tapes from brands like Stanley, Bahco, Fisco and Lufkin! With both fibreglass and steel tapes in lengths ranging from 3m to an amazing 100m, these professional tools are the only choice for those using a tape measure day in, day out.

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139 product(s) found

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139 product(s) found

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Professional Tape Measures

Professional tape measures, as their name might suggest, are all those tape measures ideally suited to the professional trades or craftsman amongst you.

When inspecting a professional tape you will generally find improvements in terms of quality, durability and innovation over the more run of the mill, everyday or budget tapes on the market. It is these small innovations that make your job that little bit easier and, crucially, will frequently make your tape last significantly longer than its cheaper counterparts.

Professional tapes can frequently be identified by features such as...

  • Bi-material or metal case and ergonomic design - whilst cheaper alternatives may have a more square, hard plastic case that is more prone to cracking, professional tapes frequently see the use of two materials in the manufacture of the case. Impact resistant plastic or steel being used for the main body with comfortable rubber-like material being used for the grip. Not only does this provide a comfortable grip (vital for those using their tape all day, every day) it also provides that little bit of 'bounce' or additional impact resistance.
  • Blade coating - whilst the vast majority of tapes on the market today have yellow coated steel tapes, not all coatings are made equal. Budget tapes will frequently see a standard yellow gloss paint/coating being used that can sometimes be difficult to read in strong sunlight. More professional tapes, however, often see the use of easy to read, glare resistant coatings that often also help resist abrasion caused by heavy use in dusty/dirty environments.
  • Accuracy - Whilst this is not always the case, a general rule of thumb is that professional tape measures are usually slightly more accurate than your average budget tape. Various factors come into play in determining accuracy ranging from the quality of steel used for the blade, the quality control procedures used during the manufacturing process and even the type of printing used for the tape markings. Manufacturers such as Stanley are particularly well known for their supreme levels of accuracy. For more information on tape measure accuracy why not view our Product Info page?
  • Standout - As almost every tradesman knows, standout (or the distance a tape can be extended before it 'snaps' or bends) is one of the most important features of a tape measure. When working alone or taking measurements of more than a couple of metres, a product with a decent level of standout is an invaluable companion.
  • Hook type - gone are the days when a tape hook was... well, just a tape hook. You average tape measure has what's referred to as a 'bottom hook' which means that the hook points downward when reading a measurement from above. Generally such tapes have a hook made from conventional steel too and see the use of either 1 or 2 rivets to hold that hook in place. Professional tape measures, however, frequently see the use of between 2 and 3 rivets giving the hook significantly more resistance to damage caused by pulling, snagging or other potentially damaging forces.
  • Return mechanisms - when letting go of the tape, cheaper, budget tapes will generally see the blade reeled in at great speed, the hook hitting the body of the case with some force. Not only do you have to keep you fingers out of the way (!), over time you may start to see damage caused to the tape by this repeated impact. Professional tape measures, on the other hand, frequently see the use of shock aborbers or other mechanisms to slow down the blade as it approaches the body, just enough to reduce the impact of the hook against the case. By reducing this impact, damage to the hook is minimised and the tape's accuracy is retained.
  • Blade material - whereas budget tapes will usually see the use of conventional steel in their blades' manufacture, some professional tapes see the use of either higher quality steel (more resistant to stretching and other damage) or even stainless steel for certain applications. Whilst stainless steel might not be for everyone (in high glare environments, for example, the tape markings may be more difficult to read than with a non-glare, yellow-coated professional steel tape), they can prove invaluable to those regularly working in damp or wet situations due to their non-corrosive properties.

Can't find what you're looking for? It may be that the tape you require doesn't fall under this category. Why not browse through our full range of tape measures?