Drywall Tape

Drywall Tape Guide

If you have done any extensive home remodeling then you know about working with drywall. You need to use drywall tape to join the seams where the drywall sheets meet each other on the wall. But deciding which drywall tape to choose and how to best install it can be confusing and baffling for the non-professional. It is important to understand the different aspects of drywall tape before you being this final phase of the completing your drywall project.

How is Drywall Tape Used

Drywall tape is used to seal seams that are found in corners and where drywall sheets meet on the wall. The drywall tape is used to prevent drywall sheets from cracking and to create a seamless wall. While paper drywall tape is preferred by many drywall contractors, many homeowners find the newer fiberglass drywall tape to be preferable because it is easier to use and move into place. No matter which type of drywall tape you choose to use for your drywall project, the goal is the same – to keep the drywall from cracking and to create a seamless joint.

Types of Drywall Tape

There are three primary types of drywall tape. The first is paper drywall tape. This is the type of drywall tape that is preferred by most professional drywall contractors. It requires a bit more skill to use than most homeowners have, but it works well and has been used for decades for drywall seams.

The other two types of drywall tape are fiberglass mesh and composite drywall tape. These types of drywall tape are easier to use than paper drywall tape and are most often used by homeowners or handymen when completing small drywall projects. Fiberglass drywall tape has an adhesive backing on it that makes it easier to set into place when taping a wall.

Paper drywall tape is white or cream heavy paper on a roll. There is a crease in the center of the paper which makes it easier to fold for corner applications. Paper drywall tape also has a slightly raised center on it. This raised center makes it easier to feather the drywall mud away from the center of the tape, which will make the tape appear seamless when the drywall taping process is completed. Paper drywall tape is the least expensive type of drywall tape.

Fiberglass mesh drywall tape has glue adhesive on the back which eliminates a step in the drywall taping process. Instead of applying a thin layer of mud to the drywall seam, you simply affix the fiberglass drywall tape to the seam. Apply a thin layer of drywall mud over the tape and let it dry. Mesh drywall tape is excellent for patching plaster and lathe wall materials with drywall. Fiberglass drywall tape comes in sheets in addition to tape formats.

Composite drywall tape is more substantial and heavy than paper drywall tape. This type of drywall tape is excellent for situations in which the wall framing is irregular. Composite drywall tape provides easy creasing for corner applications and also has a rough surface on it, which allows for easy application of the drywall mud. Composite drywall tape comes in a variety of weights to use according to the application circumstances. Some composite drywall tape types have adhesive on the back and others have metal inserts that can be used for corners.