Glenda Taylor | Updated 5:10 PM, October 1, 2020
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Achieving long-lasting smooth and flat finishes on interior walls can be tricky-for ambitious DIYers and construction professionals. The joints between drywall panels must be filled with wet joint compound, smoothed, and then sanded to remove bumps and ridges. Over time, even the slightest wall movement (through the settlement of the house) can cause the dry joint compound to crack and chip, which can damage the previously smooth wall surface. However, when drywall tape is used to secure the composite material in place, the composite material is less likely to break when displaced. The tape also provides an optimal surface to create a smooth appearance.
Although it is wise to use drywall tape when building or repairing walls, different types of tape can be used and it is important to choose the right tape for your project. Some are designed for professional drywall installers, while others are more suitable for DIY use. In addition, drywall tape is specially designed to repair cracks, while other types are best used on damp walls. Therefore, the most suitable gypsum board tape for you depends on your level of tape experience and whether you are installing a new gypsum board or repairing an existing wall.
This guide will define various types of gypsum board tape, point out some key considerations for buying it, and explain in detail why the following products are the best products on the market to help you with construction and maintenance projects.
The purpose of drywall tape is simple: it helps hold the joint compound in place. Without tape support, wet joint compound is more likely to sag from the joint. However, the installation will vary depending on the type of tape you choose. Certain types of tape are embedded in the compound coating that is first applied to the wall. On the other hand, mesh tape is placed on the wall joints, and a compound is applied to the tape so that it penetrates the seams below through the perforations in the tape. To choose the right type of drywall tape, check out these changes and characteristics.
In the world of professional recording, paper is king. Paper drywall tape rolls about 2 inches wide and 50 to 200 feet long. Paper tape is the thinnest tape, the thinner the tape, the less obvious the finished seam. This means that the paper will produce the smoothest possible seams-but only if used properly. Paper tape is applied to a layer of wet joint compound to fill the joints between drywall panels. Use a tape cutter to embed the tape in the compound and smooth the additional compound on the tape to cover it.
Professional drywall installers usually only use paper drywall tape, but for DIYers who may use too little or too much composite material, this can cause problems. Such errors can cause the tape to shift, wrinkle, or air bubbles on the tape surface. For quick installation, paper tape rolls are usually installed in drywall tape dispensers to allow installers to apply composite and tape at the same time.
Please note that the standard paper drywall tape has an embossing line in its center to form a crease to form a 90 degree angle for the inner corner. Use the same paper tape as described above to flatly affix it to the seam in the center of the wall. As with flat seams, the joint compound must be applied to the inner corners, and then the tape must be folded and embedded in the compound.
It takes practice and experience to successfully embed tape in the composite, but self-adhesive drywall tape may be easier. Self-adhesive tape does not apply the tape to a layer of compound, but has an adhesive backing that allows the user to place it directly on the dry seam between the panels. The tape is made of an open woven mesh, so the seaming compound can flow through and fill the seams below. This type of tape is much simpler to use than paper, but care must be taken to smooth enough compound through the surface grid to fill the seams below. If too little compound is used, cracks are more likely to occur later in the joint.
Except for paper, most drywall tapes are slightly flexible, which means they can be smooth on rounded corners without gaps. However, flexibility does not mean that the tape should be stretched; doing so may cause it to pull away from the dry wall later and leave a gap. It is not recommended to use flexible tape on the inner corners because it lacks rigidity and does not maintain sharp creases along the center.
Moisture-proof drywall tape may contain fiberglass or other waterproofing ingredients; pair it with moisture-proof drywall. This type of tape is usually used in bathrooms, basements, or any other rooms where humidity may be high. It is usually self-adhesive with an open weave, so the user can apply it to the seam before applying the compound. However, it is also available in a non-stick version, which should be embedded on wet compounds such as paper tape.
Most drywall tapes of moisture-proof brands are also anti-mold and anti-mold. They may contain glass fibers or other ingredients that naturally resist the growth of mold. It is a good idea to use anti-mold tape in high humidity areas.
Local building codes may require some walls, such as the connecting wall between the garage and the house, to maintain a 1 hour fire rating. This rating means that the construction of the wall can prevent the fire from spreading from one side of the wall to the other for at least an hour. In some cases, conventional drywall tape and joint compound can be used with fire-resistant (X-type) drywall on firewalls. In other cases, the local construction authority may require special fire-resistant tape with non-flammable aluminum foil on the back. Before starting a project, be sure to check local regulations-they vary from community to community. When it is necessary to use fire-resistant tape, the entire wall must be constructed in accordance with fire-resistant regulations, including the installation of special power sockets and doors to seal to slow the spread of fire.
Choosing the best drywall tape for the project depends on the number of seams that the installer must apply, their skill level, and whether the seams appear on flat parts or corners of the wall. When buying drywall tape, please consider the length of the roll (to determine how much you need) and the method of application.
Rolls of standard paper drywall tape and flexible mesh tape can be up to 200 feet long, and the standard rule of thumb for estimating the required amount is to buy 1 foot of tape for every 2 square feet of wall. For example, if the room is 8 feet by 10 feet and the wall is 8 feet high, it is equal to a 640 square foot wall, so buy a 320-foot-long plasterboard tape. Although two or more thin layers of compound are required to apply glue to a seam or seam, the tape itself is only used once-the first time the compound is used-so there is no need to purchase more than one application of tape.
The main difference between adhesive and non-adhesive drywall tape is the way the tape is applied. Non-adhesive tapes, such as paper tape, must be embedded with a layer of wet joint compound applied to the joints between the panels before the tape can be used. On the other hand, self-adhesive drywall tape is placed on the joint before the joint compound is applied.
Professionals use the first method, which is faster for them. However, DIYers may find that the non-adhesive tape slides too much on the wet compound, making it difficult to position directly on the seam. In addition, wrinkles that are difficult to smooth may form in the tape. DIYers may prefer self-adhesive tape because once it is applied to the seam, it will remain intact. Afterwards, the installer smooths the compound, pushing the compound across the mesh surface and into the seam below.
Indentation paper drywall tape is usually only used for inner corners. There, the flexible tape may not be able to keep the sharp crease in the center. The outer corners are usually formed by installing rigid plastic or metal corner pieces (called "corner beads") on the dry wall, and then connect them with compounds, adhesives, or even nails, depending on the type of bead. Some reinforced crease tapes are marked for use on the inner and outer corners, this type should be embedded in the compound. However, for novice tapers, corner beads may provide the best results on the outer corners.
In order to be the first choice, each type of drywall tape should be durable and able to stick firmly to wet joint compound. Although the ease of use varies with the type and user's tape skills, each of the following drywall tapes is a good choice.
Novices or even those with some experience may like the convenience of Duck brand self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape. It is coated with adhesive on the back, so users usually have to measure, cut and apply tape to dry seams. The tape has a thin and strong fiberglass mesh that allows the seam compound to penetrate and fill the seams below. This Duck Brand tape has a width of 1 7/8 inches and a roll of 180 feet, which is enough to tape a 90-square-foot wall. If necessary, cut the tape into small pieces and stick them to the existing cracks in the wall.
A common reason for solving DIY work is to save money, and LYLTECH Drywall Joint Tape is just that. When sticking joints, this self-adhesive strong glass fiber tape can be firmly adhered to dry dry walls. The tape has a width of 1-7/8 inches and a roll of 180 feet, the same quantity as many other higher-priced tapes. It is specially designed for conventional jointing tape and can also be used to repair cracks in walls. Like other self-adhesive drywall tapes, LYLTECH is first applied to the wall, then a smooth joint compound is applied to the tape and the wet compound is pushed into the seams below.
The open woven fiberglass mesh on Saint-Gobain ADFORS FibaTape Drywall Tape allows users to easily create smooth, strong seams. Cutting the self-adhesive tape and sticking it on the dry joint, and then applying the compound on it is a fairly simple process. This kind of tape is mildew and mildew resistant, which is very suitable for bathroom and basement projects. In addition, due to the holding power of the glass fiber, it is very strong, helping to hold the compound in place and reducing the risk of cracking. FibaTape is 1-7/8 inches wide and the roll is 300 feet long.
Those who are looking for an anti-mold alternative to non-self-adhesive paper may want to check out FibaFuse paperless drywall tape. This kind of tape is made of glass fiber to prevent the growth of mold and is very suitable for use in high humidity rooms such as bathrooms and basements. Like paper tape, FibaFuse must be embedded in the initial seam compound layer and coated with a thin layer of compound. Like paper tape, FibaFuse is also suitable for professional tape dispensing tools, such as banjos and super tapers. Skilled drywall installers usually prefer this type of tape.
STRAIT FLEX Original composite drywall tape uses a strong composite backing and paper surface to create clear inner and outer corners. This tape is 2 3/8 inches in width, which is not only wider than standard paper tape, but also thicker and stronger. It is a necessary element to cover the gaps that often occur when drywall panels meet in corners. STRAIT FLEX can replace conventional crease paper tape used for inner corners, and can also be used as a substitute for solid corner beads when taped for outer corners. It is not as hard as corner beads, so if it is applied to outer corners will cause problems, please consider using regular corner beads in these locations. Like paper tape, this corner tape should be embedded in drywall compound. It has a 100-foot roll.
FibaFuse paperless drywall repair tape has a full width of 6 inches and is a wise choice to use overhead when applying tape to the joints between ceiling drywall panels. Compared to narrower tape, the extra width makes it easier to align on the seams without errors. In addition, FibaFuse is pre-creased, so it can also be used on the inner corner between the ceiling and the wall-a place that is usually difficult to stick smoothly. Made of a molten glass mat, the FibaFuse tape is applied in the same way as paper tape: a layer of wet joint compound is embedded. It has a 75-foot roll.
When the house is inevitably settled, cracks may appear above the doors and windows, thereby destroying the appearance of the entire wall. Developed specifically to help smooth and repair cracks, the 6-inch wide Red Devil fiber mesh crack repair tape can be cut with scissors to fit any length of cracks. Its self-adhesive backing means that it adheres firmly to the wall, after which drywall compound or caulk should be applied to it to fill the cracks and form a smooth surface. This tape is mildew and mildew proof, and it is 75 feet in roll.
Pasting drywall is the application of joint compound and drywall tape to smooth the joints and give the wall a flat, firm surface.
It is natural for first-time drywall DIYers to have some problems. Find some of the most common questions and their answers here.
The structure has inner and outer corners. The standard method of pasting the inner corners is to apply cement on the corners, then embed pre-pressed paper or composite drywall tape in the corners, and smooth them in place with a tape knife. The outer corner is usually formed by connecting rigid drywall corner beads, so before applying the composite as a thin layer of coating on the surface of the bead, it overlaps the entire corner-allowing each layer of coating to dry between applications.
If it does not make good contact with the wall during application, the drywall tape may loosen. This is usually due to not using enough compound on the joint before embedding the tape.
If the drywall tape blisters, breaks, or pulls away from the seam, use a razor to cut off the damaged part, then stick a new piece of tape in its place and install it with a composite material.
If you plan to paint the wall or hang wallpaper on it, yes, tape should be attached to the joints to make the wall look smooth. If you plan to install floor-to-ceiling panels-and drywall will not be visible-there is no need to tape the joints.
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