Paper and Fiberglass Mesh Drywall Tape

Although various specialty tapes exist, the choice of tape in most drywall installations comes down to two products: paper or fiberglass mesh. Most joints can be taped with either one, but before you start mixing compound, you need to know the important differences between the two.

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Paper Drywall Tape

• Because paper tape is nonadhesive, it must be embedded in a layer of joint compound to stick to the drywall surface. This is easy enough to do, but if you’re not careful to cover the entire surface with compound and then to squeeze it out evenly, air bubbles will form under the tape.

• Although mesh tape can be used on inside corners, paper is much easier to handle in these locations because of its middle crease.

• Paper is not as strong as fiberglass mesh; however, it is nonelastic and will create stronger joints. This is especially important at butt joints, which typically are the weakest areas in a drywall installation.

• Paper tape can be used with either drying-type or setting-type compound.

Cost: $1.55 per 250-ft. roll

Fiberglass-Mesh Drywall Tape

• Fiberglass-mesh tape is self-adhesive, so it doesn’t need to be embedded in a layer of compound. This speeds up the taping process and ensures that the tape will lie flat on the drywall surface. It also means that you can apply the tape to all seams in a room before putting on the first coat of compound.

• Although stronger than paper tape in ultimate load, mesh tape is more elastic, so joints are more likely to develop cracks.

• Mesh tape should be covered with setting-type compound, which is stronger than drying type and will compensate for fiberglass mesh’s greater elasticity. After the initial coat, either type of compound can be used.

• With patches, where joint strength is not as much of a concern as with a full sheet, mesh tape allows for a faster fix.

• Manufacturers approve the use of paper tape for paperless drywall, but mesh tape provides the best protection against mold.

• For an inside-corner gap wider than 1/4-in., mesh tape and a layer of compound to fill the gap provide a good substrate for finishing the corner with paper tape. If you’re doing an airtight-drywall installation (see “How to Hang Airtight Drywall,”  FHB #229), however, be sure to fill the gap with canned foam before finishing.

Cost: $4.85 per 150-ft. roll

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Bulk Supply Fiberglass Wallboard Tape, Drywall Tape Fiberglass.

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Like many aspects of drywall, it's all depends on your skill & knowledge. I've been in drywall over 30 years, and have run my own business for about 15 of those years. I specialize in drywall repairs and mesh tape is absolutely the best tape to use, for my application. And I've NEVER had a call back because of tape failure, joint cracks, etc. Does that mean it can never crack, of course not, any tape can crack, and I've fixed THOUSANDS of cracks, and have seen both types of tape crack.

The big advantages to Mesh tape are you can apply it to the joint, and immediately coat it, which brings it to the taped, then coated step when using paper. With paper, it takes 2 days to get to that same point. If you use fast setting joint compound, (ie hotmud), you gain the added benefit of almost no shrinkage, allowing you to finish the work faster, plus you can apply multiple coats in one day with hotmud. The other big advantage is you can't get blisters with hotmud, something that plagues MOST all amateurs.

I have no problem whatsoever in coating it and making it not show, but again, that's because I'm the best at what I do, with tons of experience. You as an amateur will not be able to achieve the same quality I can, BUT, with a little extra work, you can get close enough to suit you in most cases.

I recommend checking out my YouTube channel at www.thatkiltedguy.com where I actually have a video discussing just this subject, as well as numerous others that should help you all out a lot. Seeing a video is often more helpful than a verbal discussion of the subject.

Thanks, Guy, That Kilted Guy.com

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