What FrogTape to Use When Painting a New Construction Home

 

When you’re painting a new construction home, choosing the right tape is one of the most important steps for getting clean, crisp lines. With so many surfaces, textures, and trim types in a new build, not all tapes perform the same—and using the wrong tape can lead to paint bleed, splintering, adhesive residue, or even damaged surfaces.

In this blog, I’m breaking down the exact FrogTape products I keep in my trailer, what each one is designed for, and which tapes I use in a new construction setting. These recommendations come straight from years of professional use and the techniques I share on Paint Life TV.

Understanding FrogTape’s Polymer Technology

 

Before we get into each tape, it helps to understand what makes FrogTape different.

Most FrogTape products contain a special polymer on the outside edge. When liquid hits that edge—like your paint—it swells up and seals the tape against the surface. This prevents paint from bleeding underneath the tape and gives you razor-sharp, professional lines.

 

However, not all FrogTape products include this polymer, and that’s a key factor in choosing the right tape.

FrogTape Options I Use on the Job

 

1. FrogTape Orange – The Production Tape

FrogTape Orange is designed to be a cost-effective production tape. It’s great when you need speed and budget-friendly masking, but there are a few differences to note:

• No polymer on the edge
• 3-day clean removal
• Lower cost than other FrogTape products
• Best for quick-turn projects

Since it lacks the polymer, you won’t get the same level of anti-bleed protection as with their premium lines. I use it when straight-line precision on rough surfaces isn’t critical.

2. FrogTape Blue – For Clean Lines & Moderate Release Time

 

FrogTape Blue is a step up from the orange line because:

• It does have the polymer edge
• 14-day clean removal
• Comes in multipacks
• Slightly more expensive than orange

Because of the polymer, FrogTape Blue gives you very clean lines and is great for anyone worried about paint bleeding under the tape.

3. FrogTape Green – My Go-To Premium Tape

 

FrogTape Green is one of my most-used tapes, and for good reason:

• Polymer edge for sharp lines
• 21-day clean removal
• Excellent adhesion (tack) on almost every surface
• Reliable paper that rarely splinters
• Individually packed rolls as well a single packs

This is the tape I use anytime I'm masking trim in a new construction home:

• Baseboards
• Door jambs
• Window trim
• Anywhere I cannot risk paint bleed

It’s dependable, consistent, and delivers professional results every time.

4. FrogTape Yellow – Delicate Surface Tape

 

FrogTape Yellow is a specialty tape and serves a very unique purpose:

• 60-day clean removal
• Delicate-surface safe
• Great for:
• Finished floors
• Engineered hardwood
• Wallpaper
• Decorative finishes
• Faux finishes
• Very thin crepe paper
• Polymer edge included

 

Because the paper is thinner than any other FrogTape option, it leaves the smallest “dam.”

 

A dam is the ridge of paint that forms along the tape line. Thinner tape = smaller ridge = easier to paint over later if you ever want to remove stripes, patterns, or designs.

 

This is why I choose FrogTape Yellow anytime I paint patterns—like checkers—on walls.

Which FrogTape Products I Use in a New Construction Home

 

On a new build, you typically deal with raw trim, freshly painted walls, newly installed baseboards, and floors that need protection without damage. Here’s what I use and why:

For Trim, Baseboards & Door/Window Jambs

👉 FrogTape Green
It gives the best all-around performance with long release time, great adhesion, and the polymer edge for clean, crisp paint lines.

For Floors & Delicate Surfaces

👉 FrogTape Yellow
Because it’s safe on finished flooring and minimizes dame lines, it’s perfect for hardwood, engineered floors, and sensitive surfaces.

For Fast, Budget-Friendly Masking

👉 FrogTape Orange
If precision lines aren’t essential, this production tape works great—but I don’t use it where bleed-through could cost time or rework.

 

For General Clean-Line Masking When You Need More Release Time Than Orange

 

👉 FrogTape Blue
It’s a solid mid-range option with polymer protection and a 14-day release window.

Final Thoughts

 

In a new construction home, the tape you choose can make or break the final finish. Using the right FrogTape product helps prevent paint bleed, protects delicate surfaces, speeds up production, and ensures your lines are perfectly straight every time.

My go-to system:

 

• FrogTape Green for trim
• FrogTape Yellow for floors and delicate surfaces
• FrogTape Blue when you need clean lines and flexibility
• FrogTape Orange for fast, lower-cost production masking

 

Choosing the right tape means fewer headaches and sharper results—exactly what you want on a brand-new home.