what is better for drywall repairs tape or mesh tape?

Answer 1

Repairs use mesh if on flat work, corners use tape.

It will help other answers to explain what kind of repair your doing. Corner crack, hammer head break, or the common repair , my buddy got drunk and rammed his fist or his head thru my drywall, wich takes a lot more effort.

Answer 2

I've painted and done drywall finishing for 37 years...I do not like the mesh tape at all..it was developed for the "home doer" ..alot of contractors use the mesh tape becuase they can try to get away with running mud to apply regular tape as required. This gives you one less coat of mud on the beveled areas of the drywall thus cutting down on thier material and labor costs..or they just simply don't know how to hang tape without getting blisters in it...You take and look down most new construction now days where the sheetrock joint are and I'm sure under the proper light you will still see A slight bevel on the joints..Most take no pride in thier work now days and take "these shortcuts..Also if you look at inside corners of these houses..the corners will not be true edges, but will be somewhat rounded instead of a nice sharp edge, like it is supposed to be..If you yourself are doing the drywall, and somewhat inexperienced..you may want to use it...but I definately wouldnt use a contractor that does, for they are supposed to be professionals...if they can't hang tape being a "pro' then they are a self proclaimed pro..not a real one..TAPE ALL THE WAY

Answer 3

With all due respect to others, and after installing thousands of sq. ft. of drywall. and hundreds of gallons of MUD, I haven't used paper tape since MESH was put on shelves. I will submit to the fact that we all have opinions, and this forum allows them to be expressed, even if we disagree.

In that NO disrespect statement, I am OLD SCHOOL, but so much of whatever you do is all about YOU, and HOW. An analogy might be so often explained as "operator" error when something goes wrong.

Anyone with experience might choose one or the other, or both, but the end result truly has little to do with the TAPE TYPE.

Assume for a moment that you have the skills (no offense) and understand not only the types of tape and their properties, but also the methods of application; in stages, and feathering; sanding; the compressed edges of drywall full sheets; etc.

It might be as purposefull to pack seams/joints/screw holes; with yesterdays newspaper if you know what you're doing.

Just my two cents.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

Very good answers above but thought I would put in my two cents. I have been in construction for a long time and have learned that on vertical seams tape works best while on horizontal seams the mesh is faster and works very well.

I can't explain why but this is what I use and my professional friends use also.

Answer 5

I prefer tape with the adhesive backing - It goes on fast and easy - cost more. Mesh is good if your placing it on the horizontal seams. Again my preference is the adhesive backed tape.

Answer 6

Use mesh on inside corners . It is stronger by far than tape and especially if you have a gap, this is the best way to go. On flat areas, tape is better as it requires less mud to cover.

Answer 7

10 years of dry wall experience and 20 years of construction.... and I prefer tape hands down to mesh.

Answer 8

Reading above comments, it gave me impression that tape is better over all.

Answer 9

Tape by far and away. Mesh will show and will not cover any cracks if any, nor will it prevent cracking.

Answer 10

I've tried both and I prefer tape.

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