Vaunt 5m & 16ft Tape Measures
Vaunt 5m tape measure gives you proper day to day site measuring for stud, kitchens, first fix and snagging, with a steel blade and lock that does the job.
If you're in and out of rooms all day, marking timber, checking openings or setting out units, a vaunt 5m tape measure is the one that lives in your pouch. This size suits most indoor trade work without carrying extra bulk, and a decent vaunt measuring tape wants clear markings, a lock that holds and rewind that does not fight you. If you need shorter or longer options, see Vaunt 3m & 10ft Tape Measures, Vaunt 8m & 26ft Tape Measures, or the wider Tape Measures range and get the right one for the work.
What Jobs Are Vaunt 5m Tape Measures Best At?
- Setting out stud walls, noggins and door linings is where a vaunt 5m tape measure earns its keep, giving you enough reach for most room work without dragging a bigger tape about all day.
- Measuring kitchen runs, worktops and appliance gaps is easier with a vaunt locking tape measure because you can hold your mark, note it down and not lose the blade back into the case.
- Checking window boards, skirting, architrave and trim on second fix jobs suits a vaunt measuring tape well, especially when you are moving room to room and need quick repeat measurements.
- Marking sheet material, battens and cut lists in the workshop or on site is a solid use for a vaunt steel tape measure, where readable graduations and a straight blade save time and wasted cuts.
- Running snagging checks and final room measurements before handover is exactly the sort of work a vaunt 5m measuring tape is built for, as most internal dimensions sit well within that range.
Choosing the Right Vaunt 5m Tape Measure
Sorting the right one is simple: buy for the way you actually measure on site, not just the number on the blade.
1. 5m for indoor trade work
If most of your jobs are first fix, second fix, kitchens or maintenance, a vaunt 5m tape measure is usually the sweet spot. It gives you enough length for room work and joinery without the extra bulk of a longer tape catching on everything in your pouch.
2. Locking blade matters more than you think
If you measure solo a lot, go for a vaunt locking tape measure you can trust to stay put while you mark. A weak lock is a pain on repeated set out work and gets old fast when the blade keeps snapping back before you have your line on.
3. Match the tape length to the work
If you only need pocket size for punch lists and short internal checks, have a look at Vaunt 3m & 10ft Tape Measures. If you are measuring larger rooms, roof timbers or longer runs outside, step up to Vaunt 8m & 26ft Tape Measures.
4. Standard range or essentials range
If the tape is for daily pouch use, buy the one that feels right in hand and suits constant site measuring. If it is for a spare van tape, homeowner jobs or occasional use, Vaunt Essentials 5m & 16ft Tape Measures are worth a look.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Chippies keep a vaunt tape measure on them for first fix studwork, second fix trim and quick cut checks, because 5m covers most of the measuring they do through a normal day.
- Sparkies use a vaunt retractable tape for socket heights, chase spacing and board positions, especially on refurb work where you are constantly measuring, marking and moving on.
- Kitchen fitters and bathroom installers swear by this size for cabinets, end panels and service gaps, as a 5m blade is easier to handle solo in tight rooms than an oversized tape.
- General builders, maintenance teams and snaggers reach for a vaunt 16ft tape when checking openings, materials and finished dimensions, because it is a sensible all round size for van and pouch.
Choose the Right Vaunt 5m Tape Measure for the Job
Pick the tape by where you are working and how often you are pulling it out.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| First fix studwork and general room set out | Vaunt 5m tape measure | Useful all round length, readable blade, easy pouch carry, quick lock and rewind |
| Kitchen fitting and second fix joinery | Vaunt locking tape measure | Blade stays put for solo marking, compact case, good control in tight spaces |
| Snagging, maintenance and van checks | Vaunt 5m measuring tape | Fast pull out use, light to carry, enough length for most indoor checks |
| Short punch list work and pocket carry | Smaller Vaunt tape | Less bulk, quicker for short dimensions, better if you rarely measure over 3m |
| Larger rooms, longer runs and outdoor measuring | Longer Vaunt tape | More reach, fewer remeasures, better for bigger set out work |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying a longer tape than you need for indoor work just adds bulk and makes one handed measuring more awkward. For most room by room trade jobs, a vaunt 5m tape measure is the more practical carry.
- Ignoring the lock is a mistake when you work alone. If the blade will not stay where you leave it, marking out kitchens, studs or trims becomes slower and more frustrating than it needs to be.
- Letting the blade slam back into the case shortens the life of any vaunt steel tape measure. Feed it back under control and you will avoid bent hooks, damaged blade coating and rough rewind.
- Using one site tape for every rough job and every finish job can catch you out. A knocked hook or kinked blade throws off accurate trim and fit out work, so replace it when it stops reading true.
- Not checking whether you really need a 5m, 3m or 8m tape wastes money and pouch space. Match the tape to your usual runs and you will work quicker with less faff.
5m Tape Measure vs 3m Tape Measure vs 8m Tape Measure
5m Tape Measure
This is the everyday site middle ground. A vaunt 5m tape measure suits first fix, second fix, kitchens and general building work because it gives enough reach for most internal jobs without feeling oversized on your belt.
3m Tape Measure
A 3m tape is handier if you mostly do short checks, punch lists or tight indoor maintenance work. It is lighter and quicker to pocket, but you will run out of blade on wider rooms, taller set outs and longer material checks.
8m Tape Measure
An 8m tape comes into its own on longer runs, larger spaces and outside work where 5m is not enough. The trade off is more bulk and a bit less convenience for constant one handed measuring in small rooms.
Maintenance and Care
Keep the blade clean
Wipe plaster dust, sawdust and site muck off the blade after use. Grit dragged back into the case wears the coating and makes the rewind rougher over time.
Control the rewind
Do not let the blade fly back under full spring tension. Feeding it back by hand helps protect the hook, keeps the case from taking repeated shock and makes the tape last longer.
Check the hook for accuracy
If the hook gets bent after a drop, your readings can be out before you even start cutting. Check it against a known rule or square and replace the tape if it is no longer reading true.
Store it dry
A vaunt retractable tape will put up with normal site use, but leaving it wet in the bottom of a tool bag all weekend is asking for trouble. Dry it off and keep it out of standing water.
Replace worn site tapes before finish work
Once the markings start wearing or the blade kinks, retire it from accurate joinery and fitting jobs. Keep the old one for rough checks if it is still usable, but do not trust it for clean final cuts.
Why Shop for Vaunt 5m Tape Measures at ITS?
Whether you need one everyday vaunt tape measure for your pouch or want to compare across the wider Tape Measures range and 5m & 16ft Tape Measures options, we stock the lot. It is all held in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery, so you can get your vaunt measuring tape on site without hanging about.
Vaunt 5m Tape Measure FAQs
What tape measures does Vaunt make in 5m?
Vaunt makes 5m and 16ft tape options aimed at everyday site measuring. This is the size most trades go for when they want one tape for first fix, second fix, fitting work and general room measurements without stepping up to a bulkier longer blade.
Are Vaunt 5m tape measures self-locking?
Some Vaunt 5m tape measures may use a self locking design, while others use a manual lock, so it is worth checking the product spec on the exact model. Either way, for site use you want a blade that stays put reliably when you are measuring and marking on your own.
What blade width is the Vaunt 5m tape measure?
Blade width can vary by model, so check the individual product details before buying if stand out or stiffness matters for the work you do. In practice, wider blades are usually easier to control for solo measuring, while slimmer ones keep the case size down.
Is the Vaunt tape measure suitable for solo use?
Yes, for most indoor trade jobs a vaunt 5m tape measure is a sensible solo option. It is long enough for common room, joinery and fitting measurements, and far easier to manage alone than a big oversized tape in tight spaces.
Will a Vaunt 5m measuring tape cope with rough site use?
Yes, it is built for everyday measuring on site, in the workshop and out the van. That said, no tape likes being dropped off a scaffold, flooded in slurry or snapped back all day, so a bit of care makes a real difference to how long it stays accurate.
Is 5m enough for most trade jobs?
For plenty of trades, yes. Chippies, sparks, kitchen fitters and maintenance teams use 5m all the time because it covers most indoor set out and cut checks. If you regularly measure bigger spaces or longer external runs, move up to an 8m tape instead.
