When it comes to repairing drywall, both professional contractors and DIY’ers have to decide what type of product to use for the job – drywall tape or mesh. Both have pros and cons, so in this blog post, we’ll go over some of each option’s key advantages and disadvantages.
Both Drywall Tape and Mesh have their uses. Technically they can both be used in almost any project. Mesh Tape will be the better option if it’s‘ an area high in moisture. Drywall Tape will be the better option if you need Flexibility and Strength.
Most DIY enthusiasts would tell you it doesn’t matter without checking the type of project you’re working on. But, even though the difference between the two is not that big, it might still be significant enough in the long run. And here is why.
What Is a Drywall Tape?
Drywall tape is a product used to finish drywall joints, allowing an installer to prime and paint the surface easily. Hanging drywall is straightforward, but preparing it for painting is tricky.
To paint your drywall, you need an even surface without any imperfections. To do so, you’ll need to fill drywall joints and hide them. Drywall taping is what comes next in smoothing out drywall joints. It reinforces joints, allowing drywall mud to work effectively if left enough space between the two sheets.
Many professionals prefer paper drywall tape as it resists tearing and is extremely easy to install. This joint tape consists of paper strips rolled into around 75ft rolls. It comes with a factory-made center crease, allowing you to fold it in two. However, there are instances where you can drywall without tape.
How to Use Drywall Tape
Installing drywall paper tape is a straightforward process. As it is non-adhesive, you’ll need to embed it in a joint compound. To use paper drywall tape, you’ll need to apply drywall compound over joints and then run a layer of drywall tape.
Once you embed drywall tape in mud, it firms up and becomes very strong, making it perfect for butt joints.
What Is a Drywall Mesh?
Mesh tape is a newer product on the market that is gaining in popularity. It’s made from thin metal or fiberglass screening embedded in an adhesive backing. Unlike paper tape, this variation is self-adhesive, meaning you don’t need to embed it in drywall mud.
As you don’t need to apply drywall compound to use mesh tape, you can use this adhesive material to all seams in a particular room. The biggest problem with drywall mesh is that it’s’ more elastic, so joints will more likely develop cracks.
Mesh drywall is generally used where joint strength is not the top priority. While this variation allows a faster fix, it also provides better mold resistance.
How to Use Drywall Mesh?
Installing fiberglass drywall mesh is a piece of cake compared to drywall tape. Ydon’t’t’ have to embed this product in drywall mud. As drywall mesh is self-adhesive, you can apply it directly to the drywall joints.
Once you install drywall tape, you must cover it with a setting-type compound. This compound will reduce the elasticity of drywall mesh, protecting your joints from cracks. Once you apply the first layer of setting-type compound, you can use drywall compound over it to eliminate imperfections.
Pros & Cons of Drywall Tape
Paper drywall is affordable, durable, and strong. This variation comes with a middle crease, so it’s pretty easy to use on inside corners. Here are some of the significant pros and cons of using paper drywall tape to finish drywall joints:
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Resembles drywall
- Versatile
- Widely available
- Best for corners and joints
Cons
- Prone to punctures
- Wrinkles easily
- Could bulge and bubble
- Non-adhesive
Pros & Cons of Drywall Mesh
Fiberglass mesh tape is mainly used to cover and strengthen corners. It’s also pretty easy to store. You can store drywall mesh for years in a sealed plastic bag. Here are some of the potential advantages and disadvantages of using drywall mesh:
Pros
- Perfect for oddly-shaped surface
- Effective for holes and repairing joints
- Resists moisture and mold
- Air bubble resistant
- Self-adhering
- It offers a flat surface without imperfections
- It speeds up the taping process
Cons
- Requires a substantial amount of joint compound
- It leaves a sticky residue
- Could bulge
- Shreds easily
Which Is Better: Drywall Tape or Mesh?
Before you make a purchase, you must determine whether the joint tape is better for your project. Below, we have compiled a list of some factors to consider when deciding which adhesive material is best for you:
Moisture Concerns
Moisture is the worst enemy of drywall. As drywall is porous, even a tiny amount of moisture will make it soft and weak. Compared to paper adhesive, mesh tape, being fiberglass, offers better resistance to moisture and mold. Some homeowners try to avoid using a lot of mesh by hanging their Drywall sheets tight, but this is not always a good solution.
This is why mesh drywall tape is mainly used for backsplashes, bathrooms, and places where moisture is the biggest concern. In addition, if you are preparing a backer board for tile installation, you must use approved fiberglass tape.
Flexibility and Strength
Both joint tape variations are known for their exceptional strength and durability. However, paper drywall tape is more durable and stronger than mesh tape. This is because it firms up drastically once you embed drywall tape in a joint compound.
Due to this added strength, paper tape is considered a better option for butt joints. Alternatively, mesh drywall tape is way more elastic than paper drywall, so it’s more likely to lead to cracks and failures.
Adhesion
Paper drywall tape is non-adhesive (unless you embed it in drywall mud), and drywall mesh is adhesive. This means you can only use paper drywall tape if you have drywall compound. Once you apply drywall tape over drywall mud, it firms up and becomes quite strong.
In addition, paper drywall tape comes with a factory-made crease in the middle. This crease makes it easy to stick to both inside and outside corners. Alternatively, you’ll need to use a substantial amount of drywall compound over drywall mesh to reduce elasticity.
FAQs:
Can You Use Mesh Tape to Repair Drywall?
Mesh drywall tape domes with tacky backing allow it to stick to the wall independently. As it is self-adhesive, you can use it to repair drywall. However, you’ll still need to apply a layer of joint compound over mesh tape to hide imperfections.
Can You Use Mesh Drywall Tape on Inside Corners?
Yes, you can use mesh drywall tape on inside corners, but it won’t be an easy task. This is because mesh tape does not come with a crease in the middle. So, you’ll need to apply the mesh tape first and then cover it using the joint compound.
Can You Tape Over Old Drywall Tape?
It’s’ not recommended to tape over an existing drywall tape. This is because if you apply a new layer of drywall tape over an old one, you’ll be left with ugly bumps, making it impossible to obtain a smooth finish!