What are Zip ties used for, how many types of Zip ties are there, and what are the best Zip ties?
Choosing the best zip tie will depend on several factors, including what they will be used for, where will you be using them and how many times will you need to use them.
With so many options to choose from, across a range of types, sizes, materials, bundle diameters, tensile strengths, operating temperatures and so on, it can be daunting when choosing the right zip tie for the task.
Over the next few articles we will unpack the jargon and break down everything you need to know when deciding which solution is best for you.
What are Zip ties used for?
It’s highly likely that you will have used a zip tie at one point or another in time.
Zip ties are one of the most versatile products on the planet, used across a wide variety of different applications from home and garden to large-scale commercial and industrial projects. Our customers use Zip ties for anything from attaching signage to posts to securing pipes on oil rigs. We happily cater for everyone from keen gardens who need to secure plants to canes or plumbers that need to label different pipes with different color ties.
Zip ties can be referred to in several different ways, including:
- Cable ties
- Zip ties
- Tie wraps
- Ty wraps
Zip ties bundle together cables and wires (amongst other things) together to keep them organized, secure and safe.
How Many Types of Zip ties are there?
Choosing the best zip tie for the job will largely depend on what they will be used for.
So let’s take a high level snapshot of each type of zip tie, and their main features and uses in order to help you decide which type is best for you.
|
Type |
Features |
Uses |
Overview |
|
Standard Nylon Zip ties |
|
Ideal for indoor and outdoor use across the home, garden & commercial due to their high tensile strength, durability and resistance to weathering and aging
|
Standard Zip ties are the most commonly used zip tie for it’s tough and versatile makeup |
|
Colored Zip ties |
|
Often used to clearly identify different cables or wires |
Colored Zip ties are used to help organize bundles with color coordination |
|
Heavy Duty Zip ties |
|
Ideal for tidying up machinery, spare parts |
Heavy duty Zip ties are perfect for applications which require added strength, or needed to endure harsher operating conditions
|
|
Releasable / Reusable Zip ties |
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Provides the ability to re-use, saving time and cost when multiple use is needed
|
Reusable Zip ties are used in applications where a temporary fastening solution is required
|
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Stainless Steel Zip ties |
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Commonly used for applications that require a higher strength, higher temperature range and resistance to weathering, aging, fire or chemicals |
Stainless steel Zip ties are used across a range of applications from production line facilities, aircraft, power plants, mines, commercial kitchens, tunnels and oil and gas platforms |
|
Metal Detectable Zip ties |
|
Detectable by standard metal detectors Unique blue metallic color for visual identification
|
Metal detectable Zip ties are suitable for processes involving food, pharmaceuticals and chemical industries
|
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UV & Heat Resistant Zip ties |
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Heat stabilisation provides additional thermal endurance Higher carbon content for greater resistance to ultraviolet exposure in outdoor usage
|
UV & heat resistant Zip ties are suitable for a multitude of indoor and outdoor environments subject to high temperatures, e.g in close proximity to exhausts or brakes |
|
Printed Zip ties |
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For fixing or sealing solutions that requires clear identification, with one popular choice being sequentially numbered Zip ties |
Printed Zip ties are ideal for identifying cables and pipes to provide traceability for specific applications, such as identifying electricity cables with live and neutral, or gas and water pipes
|
|
Push Mount Zip ties |
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Provide a stable and secure fixture, allowing for consistent performance and reliability These Zip ties have a push mount at the top that locks into place when pushed into a pre-drilled hole |
Push mount Zip ties are ideal one step fastening, with tie applied into a pre-drilled hole
|
|
Screw Mount Zip ties |
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These Zip ties have a screw hole at the top of the zip tie hole for the zip tie to be firmly fixed to the surface of wherever you want to secure the tie Can be secured to a panel using a single screw
|
Screw mount Zip ties are designed to securely fix ties to a surface |
|
Double Loop Zip ties |
|
These Zip ties have a primary hole to initially slide the tie through, before clipping the second loop |
Double loop Zip ties create two loops to attach and separate two bundles |
|
Biodegradable Zip ties |
|
Decompose under prolonged exposure to UV light, heat, moisture and micro-organisms Minimum of 2 years to biodegrade, dependent on the conditions under which they are stored or used |
It is important that biodegradable Zip ties are used for temporary use cases only Possible applications include events and landscaping |
With a wide range of types of Zip ties, across a variety of different uses, the best zip tie for the job is available for the task at hand.
Please note that we don't have all these zip ties currently on our website but we are working on getting them live as soon as possible.
If you have any further questions, just drop us a message via live chat, email or telephone and one of our friendly staff will help with any specific requirements or enquiries.