Paper Tape Or Mesh Tape?
The great tape debate. Drywall finishers have been long divided with what is the superior method of taping is it quick set mud and mesh or drywall compound and tape. Having first learned taping in Ontario and then honing the skills in PEI I was introduced to both methods from the onset. In Ontario I saw contractors using mesh tape and professional tapers using paper; where in PEI Tapers (they call them seam fillers) use mesh tape mostly. I prefer mesh tape for smaller jobs and paper for full houses but there is reasons why they are both perfectly acceptable methods.
Paper Tape (The Original)
Paper tape has been used for taping drywall since drywall was adopted over lathe and plaster in the early to mid 1900s. It is the combination of a layer of drywall compound (ofter referred to as taping mud) and 2 inch wide paper tape, pressed along the joint creating a seal. To bring the wall to a level 4 finish the wall is then fill coated then top coated before sanding out any imperfections. The tape can be applied many different ways including; running it through a mud box, coating the joint with a knife, and applied with a bazooka or a banjo. Depending on the preferred method it can be the fastest way of taping a large area. The speed of taping with the assistance of tools is the main reason this is the preferred method of taping in Ontario for people that are in the industry.
Paper tapes great for commercial projects as well!
Mesh Tape (The Renovators Best Friend)
Mesh tape was a newer addition then paper tape but has been used since the 1960’s. It is made out of fiberglass that is crossed and laid out into a roll. Mesh drywall tape can stick to the wall when pressed with you fingers or a drywall knife and then is coated with a quick set mud like sheetrock 90. Mesh tape is.a little more versatile then paper tape in that you can coat uneven surfaces like fresh drywall to existed drywall a little easier. Contractors prefer mesh tape because the ease of use, the low learning curve and the versatility in certain applications. Another benefit of mesh tape is that its mold resistant which is why they prefer to use it on the East coast where it’s more wet. Mesh tape is also easier for smaller jobs where the taper wants to do multiple coats in a day because you can apply the fill coat over the quick set mud once its dry enough usually within a couple hours.
What’s Best For My Home
Whether the Professional drywall finisher prefers to apply paper tape or mesh tape they are both great products when applied correctly. Our Drywall Experts are trained in either technique and will use their best discretion to use whichever technique is more beneficial to the specific job.
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