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B: Butt joint. When it comes to finishing drywall, the hardest part of the job is usually the butt joints—the joints formed where two non-tapered ends of drywall meet. Unlike tapered joints (Fig. A), which provide a recess for the reinforcing tape and “mud” (joint compound), butt joints require a buildup of mud.
What are the types of drywall joints?
When installing drywall flat against a stud, there are two types of drywall joints, or seams, you can make: the butt joint or the tapered joint. In many cases, the type of joint you use is dictated by the application. But in a few instances, you may have a choice between butt and tapered joints.
How do you finish a drywall butt end?
Without further ado, here are five simple steps for finishing your drywall butt joints like a pro. Step 1: Make sure all fasteners are countersunk. Step 2: Use paper tape to cover the joint. Step 3: Apply a thin first coat of compound. Step 4: Feather out a second coat. Step 5: Sand smooth if necessary.
Why can I see drywall seams?
Sometimes, drywall seams become visible when a house has undergone considerable settling. If, however, you notice any other signs of settling—cracks in the foundation, torn drywall joints, or gaps either along the baseboards or at the point where walls meet ceilings—hire a foundation expert to do an inspection.
Do drywall seams have to be on a stud?
Drywall Is Not on a Stud All edges of all sheets of drywall must land on a solid surface such as a stud. A hanging drywall edge may work in the short-term, but in the long-term it can result in cracks and other serious wall issues. Sometimes, the drywall does not horizontally reach a stud.
Can you mud joints without tape?
If you don’t use drywall paper tape when sealing drywall joints with “mud” then your coat of mud will crack and fall out of the joint. Not only that, but it is much more difficult to get a clean, finished look by loading joint compound into a drywall joint without a proper application of tape.
What order do you tape drywall joints?
The order of taping is the same: Do screw indentations and beveled joints first, inside and outside corners next, and butt joints last. If you use mesh tape on flat joints, note that it’s not suitable for corners. Use pre-creased paper tape for inside corners and preformed tape for outside corners.
What is the difference between drywall mud and joint compound?
What is Joint Compound? Joint compound is also known as drywall mud or just mud. It’s comprised mainly of gypsum and limestone, but it also has other materials such as clay, mica, perlite, and starch. Joint compound has a spreadable consistency similar to mud, which is how it got its common name.
Is mesh drywall tape better than paper?
In general, paper drywall tape is slightly stronger and more versatile, but mesh tape has a more manageable learning curve and better moisture resistance. It comes down to personal preference: Use the tape you’re most comfortable with.
Can I use spackle on drywall joints?
Joint compound is the better choice for taping and finishing drywall seams whereas spackle is the better choice for filling in small to large sized holes in your walls.
How many coats of joint compound are applied to a drywall joint?
You should expect a minimum of three coats of drywall mud, more likely four, and possibly even five coats. Several things will determine how many coats you need, including: Straightness of the walls. Uneven walls can take as many as five coats to achieve a smooth surface.
How do you set up a butt joint?
To make recessed butt joints, put blocks between the studs or joists. The blocks are set back about 3/16 in. from the face of the framing, so when you screw the drywall to the blocks, the butt ends are drawn inward, creating a hollow recess that’s as easy to finish as a tapered joint.
Can see drywall joints through paint?
In order to make sure no seams show through your patched and primed drywall, use a matte or flat finish paint. High gloss paints will pick up imperfections and texture differences, making them stand out. Matte paint mutes these imperfections. Use matte paint to help hide drywall seams.
Why did my drywall seams crack?
Causes of Drywall Cracks Cracks form due to stress placed on the seams. These cracks tend to occur around high-stress areas like windows, door frames, and corners. This stress can come from many sources. Temperature fluctuations can cause the drywall to expand and contract creating stress that cracks the seams.
Will primer hide drywall imperfections?
The texture of your primer will significantly impact how well you’re able to cover drywall imperfections. If you’re looking for an incredibly smooth finish, using a high-build primer is a must. These are thicker than other types and allow you to fill in any holes, bubbles, and caps that are messing up your wall.
Should I leave a gap between drywall sheets?
Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods.
Is it better to install drywall vertically or horizontally?
Horizontal hanging reduces the lineal footage of seams by about 25%. Keeping the footage of seams to a minimum will result in less taping and a better looking finished job. Hanging horizontally also allows the drywall to flow over the framing so that bowed studs create less of a problem.
Can you hang drywall from the bottom up?
When hanging drywall, always hang the ceiling first. This is the hardest drywall to hang, so get a partner and go slow. Large cracks due to misaligned sheets are hard to repair because the extra mud required to fill them will constantly fall out and drop to the floor (or worse, down the back of your neck!).
