Tape and mud drywall sounds complicated, but it’s actually pretty straightforward if you have the right tools. While achieving perfect smoothness requires practice and skill, the end result will be so seamless that even skilled professionals won’t be able to tell where the seams are.
To achieve optimal mudding results, professional drywall tapers recommend paper tape. Fiberglass mesh tape can also be used but requires a thin coat of mud as an adhesive before being secured into place.
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Paper Tape
Mudding drywall involves applying coats of mud to bare drywall joints in order to conceal screws and nails. Drywall tape can also be used as a way of concealing seams as well as reinforcing the mud.
Paper drywall tape is the most widely-used type of adhesive. Not only is it user-friendly, but also durable.
A drywall taping tool is another convenient option that makes it simpler to secure drywall seams. Plus, it minimizes the likelihood of air bubbles forming under the tape.
The tool should be able to hold both tape and mud securely. It should be lightweight and ergonomically designed for comfortable holding.
If the drywall tape is rigid and metal-reinforced, pre-crease it to save yourself some time. On regular drywall tape, make sure you have the length needed before applying any mud.
Apply mud to both sides of each inside corner, spreading a small amount over the tape. Then pull your drywall utility knife along this tape, embedding it into the compound and pushing out any air bubbles.
Fiberglass Mesh Tape
Tape and mudding drywall is the most popular way to achieve a smooth finish with paper drywall tape. Not only is it cost-effective, but also quick and effortless to apply.
However, it can be challenging to embed tape into a layer of the joint compound without creating air bubbles underneath. You’ll also need a specialized tool for taping inside corners.
Fiberglass mesh tape is self-adhesive and slightly thicker than paper tape. To use it, place the mesh tape onto a dry drywall seam, then cover it with a coat of quick-set mud for permanent coverage.
Mesh tape’s close fiberglass threads make it highly durable, but its elasticity can cause joints to move and crack. To avoid these issues, mesh tape should only be used with setting-type compound instead of the standard compound; while this may take more time to apply, the results are far superior in strength and longevity.
Tape and mud drywall
Butt Joints
A butt joint is formed when two shorter ends of a drywall sheet meet. Unlike tapered edges on other sections of the sheet, butt joints are made from the same thickness material as the rest of the board.
A typical sheet of drywall is approximately 1/2 inch thick. When the short (or 4-foot long) ends meet, they will be about 1/8-inch thinner than the rest of the sheet.
Tapered joints tend to look better than butt joints, as their edges meet at an angle. Tapered corners create a valley that you can fill with drywall tape and joint compound for a seamless, seam-free joint.
Butt joints, on the other hand, require a buildup of “mud” to blend in with the wall surface. To accomplish this, you must feather in the mud over an extensive area.
Corners
Drywall is an interior wall material composed of large sheets of compressed gypsum paper-covered. It’s quick and easy to install, using less joint compound than plaster requires and requires little to no preparation time.
Once the drywall has been installed, you’ll need to tape and mud the walls. This step binds the pieces together, increases structural stability of your building and makes it simpler to apply paint later.
When taping inside corners, metal-reinforced corner tape may be your solution. This tape consists of a metal angle with paper flanges to provide smooth results when applying tape to inside corners.
Alternatively, you can use all-paper drywall tape. Just be sure to fold it in half before taping so the paper drywall tape sits flush against the corner of the sheet of drywall.
When mudding and taping, be sure to cover your workspace with plastic or canvas tarps/(dropcloths) in order to prevent dust from contaminating nearby areas. Additionally, wear coveralls or old clothing you don’t mind getting messy, gloves, and a mask for added safety.
