You must tape and mud the joints between drywall panels to get a smooth appearance and feel. Without tape, as the house naturally shifts, the drywall mud eventually fractures and crumbles.
However, you must choose which one to use before you tape.
Self-adhesive fiberglass mesh tape is one type of drywall tape that is best suited for novices and do-it-yourself home repair tasks. While skilled drywall workers frequently utilize other items, such as paper tape.
Try one of these top drywall tapes of 2022 if you’re unsure which choice is best for you.
2022’s Top Drywall Tape Duck Brand Drywall Joint Tape (Top Choice and Best Drywall Tape for Beginners) (Top Choice and Best Drywall Tape for Beginners) LylTech Fiberglass Mesh Joint Tape (Best Budget) (Best Budget) FibaTape Mold Resistant FDW8664-U (Best Mold-Resistant) (Best Mold-Resistant) Strait-Flex Original (Best for Inside Corners) (Best for Inside Corners) FibaFuse Paperless FDW9018-US (Best for Repairs and Ceilings) (Best for Repairs and Ceilings) Red Devil 1226 Crack Patch (Best for Crack Repair) (Best for Crack Repair) IS THERE ANY DRYWALL TAPE AVAILABLE? Applications for various types of drywall tape vary.
Although paper tape is the material of choice for professionals, it needs to be coated in mud before and again after being embedded. It might be challenging to keep the paper in one place and even more challenging to totally smooth it due to the requirement to add mud beforehand.
Mesh tape is another option that is considerably more user-friendly for beginners and doesn’t require a base coat; instead, your compound is added on top of the tape.
There are specialty tapes for certain applications in addition to these fundamental types. The most common varieties of drywall tape include the following:
PUBLIC TAPE Professional drywall installers have long relied on paper drywall tape as their go-to product. The thinnest tape of them all is this one.
And the less noticeable the drywall seams are, the thinner the tape is.
Typically 2 inches wide and available in rolls up to 200 feet long, standard size paper tape is available in rolls.
Applying a thin layer of compound to the drywall joint joints is the first step in using paper tape. The tape is then inserted, smoothed down, and a second layer of mud is added on top.
Although using paper tape seems simple, it takes a lot of ability to do it well.
The tape won’t remain in place or will have air bubbles in it if you use too much or too little compound.
MESH SELF-ADHESIVE TAPE For those just starting out with finishing drywall or anyone working on a drywall home improvement job, self-adhesive mesh tape is an excellent tool.
Self-adhesive tape features a sticky backing, just as the name suggests. Because of this, you can apply it without first mudding the wall.
Place a piece of self-adhesive mesh tape in the middle over the wall joints. Apply drywall compound to the wall and smooth it over.
The muck will get underneath the mesh and fill the joints.
Use your drywall knife to smooth the compound after applying it.
MOLD AND MOISTURE RESISTANT TAPE The best tape to use in bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-humidity areas is moisture- and mold-resistant tape. They contain fiberglass or other chemicals that resist mold and moisture.
A FIRESTRESFUL DRYWALL TAPE Where an exterior construction (like a garage) joins a wall of your home, local building rules may stipulate that you apply fire-resistant drywall tape. This will depend on where you reside. Use fire-resistant tape with a foil backing in this situation.
However, make careful to research your area’s laws in advance. With Type X fire-rated gypsum drywall panels, you may occasionally be able to use standard drywall compound and adhesive.
PRINCIPALS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SELECTING A DRYWALL TAPE SKILL LEVEL AND APPLICATION Paper tape is thinner and hides seams between drywall panels better. Paper tape must first be coated with compound before being inserted into the wall, though.
Therefore, installing this tape properly can be difficult for do-it-yourselfers.
Self-adhesive mesh tape is a simpler choice for people with little to no experience. Although mesh tape is a little thicker, it is much simpler to install correctly as a beginner.
DESTINATION OF THE TAPE For varied applications, there are many varieties of tape. For wall joints, a standard roll of self-adhesive mesh tape works great.
But for inside corners, crumpled paper tape works best, while for outer corners, a corner bead made of plastic or metal works best.
Additionally, tape designed specifically for crack repair and within ceiling corners is available.
TOP REVIEWS OF DRYWALL TAPE 1. DRYWALL JOINT TAPE FROM THE DUCK BRAND (TOP CHOICE AND BEST DRYWALL TAPE FOR BEGINNERS)
Both novices and experts will love the Duck brand self-adhesive fiberglass mesh tape. It is 1.88 inches broad, 0.2 millimeters thin, and supplied on a 180-foot roll.
Due to the self-adhesive backing on this tape, joint compound is not necessary before putting it to the wall. Apply your drywall mud after centering it over your joint.
To fill the cracks, it will leak through the mesh.
Even a bit of this tape can be cut off and used to patch up cracks.
Self-adhesive, requiring no additional compound to be applied Repositionable Thin completely fiberglass mesh Use for cracks, joints, or openings. None – well regarded and one of the best options for drywall tape. Buy The Duck Brand Drywall Joint Tape On Amazon
2. BEST BUDGET LYLTECH FIBERGLASS MESH JOINT TAPE
Another self-adhesive option is the LylTech fiberglass mesh drywall tape, which is a little less expensive than the Duck brand. It is 0.8 millimeters thicker than usual, though.
It comes in a 180-foot roll with a typical 1.88-inch width.
The LylTech tape adheres firmly. Use it to patch up minor holes or cracks in the wall or drywall joints.
You don’t need to apply your drywall mud beforehand.
Additionally, quality assurance and a return policy are included with LylTech tape.
PROS: Self-sticking Affordable quality control dependable fiberglass mesh Use for cracks, joints, or openings. Compared to Duck brand tape, this tape is a little thicker. Buy The LylTech Fiberglass Mesh Joint Tape On Amazon
3. BEST MOLD-RESISTANT FIBATAPE MOLD RESISTANT FDW8664-U
A self-adhesive green tape called FibaTape is ideal for use with green board and other products for walls that are resistant to moisture or mold. It passed the ASTM D3273 mold test with a perfect score of 10.
Since this tape is self-adhesive, even a novice can use it with no problems. Additionally, it includes open mesh to prevent bubbling tape.
This tape has a width of 1 7/8 and is available on a 300-foot roll.
Self-adhesive and simple to install resistant to mold dependable fiberglass mesh arrives in a big roll No cons exist. This tape is almost flawlessly graded, making it a great match for drywall that resists mold. Buy The FibaTape Mold Resistant FDW8664-U On Amazon
4. ORIGINAL STRAIT-FLEX (BEST FOR INSIDE CORNERS)
A composite tape for inside and outside corners is called Strait-flex original. It has a line down the center, making it simple to fold before hanging it on the wall.
Additionally, it is broader than regular paper tape, which makes it perfect for bridging big corner gaps.
Since Strait Flex has slotted edges, it adheres to the wall more effectively than a typical paper tape. To use this, you must first apply drywall mud to the wall.
While Strait-Flex is excellent for interior corners, results on outside corners will vary because it isn’t as robust as a standard corner bead.
PROS: Wider, thicker paper makes for sharp corners. Precreased paper front and composite back Both inside and outside corners can be treated with it. CONS: Needs to be inserted into drywall mud Harder to install AA10
The best for repairs and ceilings is the FIBAFUSE PAPERLESS FDW9018-US (
).
You are aware of how challenging it can be if you have ever attempted to use standard width drywall tape to tape the seam between a ceiling and a wall. Fortunately, FibaFuse can simplify the task.
This tape is available in a variety of widths, including six inches, making it ideal for butt joints where ceilings and walls meet. You can insert this product in joint compound and use it just like regular tape.
For drywall repair, FibaFuse is also available in two alternative lengths of 2 16 inch and 36 inches.
The interior corner between the wall and the ceiling is a good size. has a range of widths can to be trimmed to size for drywall repairs withstands mold and mildew CON: Does not adhere to itself Duck Brand Drywall Joint Tape 1
The best crack repair product is Red Devil 1226 Crack Patch (
).
The Red Devil crack repair might help you permanently fix drywall cracks if you frequently experience them.
There are three distinct widths of this self-adhesive fiber mesh patch: 2.5 inches, 6 inches, and 36 inches. Any of these can be cut to the precise size you require.
Fill the crack after applying the patch with joint compound or spackle, let it dry, and then sand it to achieve a smooth finish.
More than 2,400 Amazon customers have given the Red Devil patch an almost perfect 5-star rating.
PROS: Self-sticking has a range of widths both indoors and outside able to cut to size No cons exist. Highly rated and excellent for filling cracks, this stuff. Duck Brand Drywall Joint Tape 2
LAST THOUGHTS It’s crucial to pick the proper drywall tape for a finished product that looks polished. The Duck Brand self-adhesive mesh tape is a fantastic, simple-to-use alternative for drywall connections, regardless of your skill level.
Additionally, it will produce a finish that is more seamless because it is thinner than other mesh tapes.
For inside corners, you must use Strait-Flex composite tape or paper drywall tape. Additionally, think about using the six-inch wide FibaFuse if you want an inside corner that is smooth from wall to ceiling.
