One of the most important steps in drywalling is taping the seams between sheets of drywall. This helps to create a smooth, professional-looking finish. However, some homeowners wonder if taping is really necessary. While it’s possible to drywall without tape, is it really advisable?
You can drywall without tape. However, if you’re a total beginner, it’s not recommended. There are also some drawbacks to drywalling without taping, such as sloppy finish, less support to the vulnerable part of the drywall, the joints being exposed to moisture, and the butt joints being visible.
There are so many opinions and methods out there that it’s hard to know what’s right for you. But can the same be said when it comes to taping drywall? Let’s find out, shall we?
Is Taping Necessary for Drywall?
Drywall tape is made of mesh or paper. The only job this tape has is to cover up the joints. This adhesive product hides the joints that can be found all over the drywall. The joints are the space between two drywall sheets, which usually should not be more than 1/8 inch. But it also helps strengthen drywall joints, so taping is necessary if you don’t want to end up with a sloppy-looking finish. Even if you drywall over drywall, the same rule applies.
Can You Drywall Without Taping?
Yes, you can do that too, but only if you know what you’re doing. No worries, we have you covered if you don’t know how. Later in this article, we’ll discuss how to finish without taping. And it’s not that hard at all. But if you do decide to hire a drywalling crew, they might finish it without taping in no time.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Not Using Tape?
Now the real question is, what are the pros and cons of hanging drywall without tape?
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Pros of Not Using Drywall Tape
Here are some of the potential benefits of handing drywall without tape:
- Budget-friendly approach
- Take less time and effort
- Other alternatives are available
Cons of Not Using Drywall Tape
Check out these significant disadvantages of skipping drywall tape:
- Sloppy Looking drywall finish
- Less support to the vulnerable part of the drywall
- Make the joints exposed to moisture
- Air bubbles can damage the wall
- Make butt joints visible
- Not for beginners
What Happens If You Don’t Use Drywall Tape?
Although it’s not necessary, we don’t recommend avoiding drywall tape. This is because the drywall seams that are not sealed with joint compound and drywall tape are prone to cracking. While the main purpose of drywall tape is to get a smooth finish, it has several other benefits. And hanging drywall without tape also has several consequences.
In the short term, you’ll waste both a lot of effort and resources. You’ll lose much more money in the short term as it will waste joint compound. Moreover, the compound will emit through the drywall seams into the wall, causing you to utilize much more joint compound.
If you’re not using drywall tape, you’ll use a larger amount of joint compound that can warp, sink and create cracks. To avoid this problem, you might use multiple layers of joint compounds that can cost you a lot of bucks. And even more when you’re a beginner due to mistakes which ultimately will lead to usage of more joint compounds.
Here are some of the consequences of not using drywall tape:
- The joint compound will fall out and crack
- The joint compound will shrink as it dries
- The joint compound will squash through the drywall seams
In the long term, drywall will affect the durability and sturdiness of drywall. It can lead to cracks due to age and temperature changes. It will also affect the smoothness of the drywall as you’ll have to live with exposed joints.
What Can I Use Instead Of Drywall Tape?
Don’t have any tape at home? Or maybe you can’t buy any in your local market? Fortunately, there are several other materials that you can use instead of drywall tape, such as:
Inside Corner Bead
The best drywall tape alternative is the inside corner bead on the top. Now, this thin layer of aluminum makes drywall finishing a breeze, even for level 4 or 5 finishes. You can bend it at any angle, allowing you to fit it into any corner. For enhanced durability, you can even glue a paper tape after using this corner bead.
However, as this material can fit corners perfectly and retain its shape, you don’t have to use tape for finishing drywall. The process of using corner beads is much easier and quicker than the drywall tape. Most contractors prefer using this material because it meets the building code and offers a professional finish.
Quarter Round
Next, we have the quarter round. Even though quarter rounds are mostly used for mostly flooring projects, they can also be used inside a corner bead or in place of tape. This material is only 13mm (0.5 inches) wide. The best thing about this material is that it’s adhesive on both of its sides.
Because of its double-side adhesive properties, this one can be pressed between two drywall surfaces to maintain a low-profile bond. Moreover, this material also offers the fire resistance and durability of drywall. Using both joint compound and quarter round is recommended for enhanced sturdiness.
Crown Molding
You can also cover drywall seams by installing crown moldings over them. The problem with this material is that it doesn’t allow you to seal the drywall joints. Your drywall will be prone to pests and moisture.
As crown molding cannot seal the joints, it can be against the building code and reduce the fire resistance. Therefore, if you are using this material, make sure to install the trim and seal all the joints properly before installing any molding.
Elastomeric Caulk
Last but not least, we have the elastomeric caulk. If your drywall’s appearance is not that important, you can also use elastomeric caulk as an alternative to drywall tape. However, this one is not the most popular and preferred way of hanging drywall. Therefore, it’s not commonly used in homes.
You can use elastomeric caulk in garages and other spaces where appearance isn’t the top priority. As always, ensure that the temperature is controlled when hanging drywall in an unheated garage. You can use it to seal the drywall seams. However, there will be some downsides. For instance, drywall tape is much more durable than caulk and similar to Gloss paint, which does not adhere well with Drywall mud, the paint will not adhere well to seams with caulk.
How Do You Finish Drywall Without Taping?
You can install drywall without taping because it only reinforces and covers the seams and joints. However, the process depends upon your selected material. No matter which material you pick, there are some things to keep in mind, such as:
- Cover the joints properly
- Make sure to read the local building code
- Seal the seams properly
- Put the material inside the drywall sheets properly
- Don’t use a material that is not adhesive
- Make sure your selected material is easy to paint
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs:
Do You Have To Use Tape For Drywall Repair?
You don’t necessarily need to, but using tape while repairing drywall is recommended. This is because taping reinforces the seams and compound and keeps your wall from cracking when it dries. Moreover, it’ll offer a smoother finish quickly.
Can You Tape Over Old Drywall Tape?
If your old drywall tapes are unattractive, warped, or loose, you should remove the old tape to apply a new one. This is because using new tape over old drywall tape might compromise your new drywall’s quality and adhesive properties.
Moreover, using your drywall tape over an old one might not provide a smoother finish. This approach is profitable if the walls are painted. In that scenario, you can put the new tape along the edges of the old one using a utility knife.
Can I Patch Drywall Without Tape?
Generally speaking, drywall tape’s main purpose is to offer a smoother finish. However, it also reinforces the seams and joints for more durability. If the drywall is damaged or cracked, you can patch it without tape.
For this approach, you’ll have to use a joint compound. Hang the drywall sheet in its place and use the joint compound to fit it into the place. Afterward, wait for the compound to dry and sand smooth the surface for a better finish.