Paper Or Fiberglass

daveeturner

What kind of tape is best to be used in drywall installations... paper or tape? I have recently heard paper because of the ease of mudding it, but it would seem that fiberglass would be more durable. What do you guys think?

ProWallGuy

I'd use paper for seams, but I do use fiberglass mesh for repairs.

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damudman

Paper I think is stronger. Fiberglass for repairs.
Mesh should be used with hot mud.

Mike Finley

I use mesh for everything but the corners where I just use caulk.

Just kidding, paper in the corners but mesh everywhere else, even the ceiling. I love the self stick of the mesh and even though some guys don't like for ceilings I have no problems with it.

sage

LOL Me too

No seriously though. The handyman on my last job used caulk for the corners of small closet he built at the end of a hall. Basically put up a small wall with bifolds to close off some dead space. I was laughing and would never do it but I gotta tell ya it didn't look that bad, surprisingly.

But this is the same guy that used joint compound to fix up his F'd up crown joints.

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BlkBart54

Paper tape is probably the safest bet for everything for you. Mesh can only be guaranteed if coated with set fast mud. Also the mesh needs to be buried ,thus you can only use on the flats. I also use mesh to tpe down the edges of my metal cornerbead. One its coated its almost impossible to crack. Also use mesh for small repair and detail as its so quick. Mesh can also be used it angles to reinforce gaps. Especially on ceiling side as after meshing problem and prefilling, it will only keep enough to fill it and won,t sag due to gravity. When using the hot mud (set-fast 90) on the flats be careful to wipe it tighter then usual or you,ll overfill the flat.

theworx

Why not just use tape on corner beads. By the time you crimp on or screw the metal bead on and then add the mesh tape I could have set the corner and done my first fill coat?

theworx

If it's a small patch job, mesh is fine. If you are taping a larger job gotta use paper. Many guys on the forum have said they use mesh but, I guess a lot of it has to do with our climate. Up here in Canada a building can move as much as two inches (up or down) with seasonal changes. And I've found that the mesh tape doesn't hold up as well (I've used it). Paper tape installed properly is much more durable.

I boarded and taped my brothers cottage last summer. We went out there a week ago after it heaved from the freezing and all my joints were intact but the drywall had cracked in a few places. I would have thought that my seams would have cracked but they didn't. I used paper and that's a pretty good example of how strong a paper taped joint can be...