Main characteristics of tape for drywall seams, types, famous manufacturers

A professional finish when working with drywall requires smooth, seamless joints. The tape used for drywall seams is one of the essential components in accomplishing this. In order to prevent cracks and provide a smooth surface for painting or finishing, this tape reinforces the joints.

There are numerous varieties of drywall seam tapes available, each with special qualities and applications. Knowing the various kinds of tape can help you select the ideal solution for your project, regardless of your level of experience or interest in do-it-yourself projects. While some tapes stick to themselves, others need a layer of joint compound. The characteristics and composition of the tape can influence how simple it is to install and how the wall will look in the end.

Knowing which manufacturers provide premium drywall seam tapes is also beneficial. In the market, companies like FibaTape, USG, and Saint-Gobain are well-known for producing dependable and long-lasting goods. Selecting tape from reliable producers can have a big impact on how long your drywall work lasts and looks.

Main Characteristics	Details
Adhesive Strength	Ensures a strong bond to drywall surfaces
Durability	Resists cracking and splitting over time
Flexibility	Conforms to various seam shapes and sizes
Moisture Resistance	Prevents damage in humid environments
Ease of Application	Simple to use for both professionals and DIYers
Types	Paper Tape, Fiberglass Mesh Tape, Metal-reinforced Tape
Famous Manufacturers	3M, Saint-Gobain, USG, FibaTape

What it is?

Plasterboard seam sealing is an essential technological requirement for construction projects because of the nature of the structures for which it is designed. The intention behind it is to arrange it prior to final finishing. With special attention to the corners and bottom of the partition, tapes aid in sealing the gypsum board in all directions of the completed frame.

Ribbons appropriate for the two primary kinds of seams:

1. The first (factory) are formed during the installation of products along the longitudinal edges.
2. The second (single-plane) are formed in places where trimming of the edges was required during installation of the structure.

Every kind of seam has one thing in common: they can become deformed and disturb the surface geometry due to vibrations. If they are not sealed.

The use of tapes at gypsum board seams is crucial because it helps avoid cracks and discrepancies in the seam, which makes surface leveling work much easier. Since reinforcement is a feature of almost all tapes, sealing with them consistently strengthens the joint as a whole and keeps moisture from building up in the seams, providing dependable protection against mechanical stress.

The gypsum plasterboard structure will last its owners for many years because of the use of tapes.

Types of materials for joints

There are various primary kinds of tapes that are used to reinforce the joints between plasterboard slabs. These consist of sliding and damping products, paper-reinforced strips, fiberglass serpyanka, and others.

Reinforcing

Industrial product made especially for joints made of gypsum plasterboard. Paper tape and serpyanka (standard, for construction adhesive and self-adhesive) are its two primary subtypes.

Paper

One of the earliest products on the market was paper tape, which cost 25 rubles for a 50-meter roll. Its construction prevents it from tearing when subjected to moisture or specific mechanical strain. features reinforcement made of fiberglass. It is also regarded as a thin material that lacks elasticity, but once it dries, it produces an extremely smooth surface that doesn’t need to be sanded or leveled.

The product has the following benefits:

• easy installation on a layer of putty;
• obtaining a smooth, durable surface;
• the presence of roughness on one side for better grip;
• the provided recess, which allows you to adhere to the evenness of the geometric lines during installation;
• production of products with perforation, which is convenient during installation (no air is formed).

Paper tape is used for work at a moderate humidity level to prevent it from getting wet or tearing. The top producers of sealing tapes of this kind are:

The best use case for paper-reinforced tapes is when joining sheets together.

Serpyanka

Serpyanka is composed of elastic material and either fiberglass or lavsan is added (rolls start at 65 rubles). It features a mesh type that is at least 20 meters long and 45 or 50 mm wide. It is available in a standard form that can be quickly and easily installed by using an adhesive basis and a construction stapler with large brackets to fix it to the surface.

The material’s benefits are taken into account:

• resistance to atmospheric differences;
• long -term operation;
• light weight;
• good water -pushing;
• environmental friendliness;
• high strength qualities;
• mold resistance;
• immunity to aggressive environments (alkaline, sour);
• Great noise protection.

The tape can be applied to secondary sealing in addition to primary sealing. It is put in place alongside putty, which it is gently pressed into.

Serpyanka is appropriate for both "wet" and "dry" work, however it is not advised for the installation of transverse seams in internal corners.

Damper

These products are typically used for rough finishing where the plasterboard surface of the structure meets the floor, which is along the bottom of the lower joint. Polyurethane foam is used to make it. Because of its sealing qualities, damper tape can be used to seal corners as well as all kinds of seams.

The inner side that is in contact with the surface is coated with up to 2 mm of special glue by the manufacturers, making the product self-adhesive and free from installation issues.

The tape’s strong waterproofing qualities are its primary characteristic. Its benefits also include:

• resistance to water, alkalis and acids;
• resistance to fungi;
• ability to withstand various temperature fluctuations;
• Environmental friendliness of the composition;
• the ability to work in difficult conditions;
• alignment of surfaces with any roughness;
• reliable protection and sealing joints;
• High sound insulation abilities.

The tape is made with closed cells and tiny pores using industrial machinery. It is made of polyethylene. Additionally, Dampfer products can be used as heat insulators. It has a density of 30-36/m3, comes in white and gray hues, and rolls that are between 15 and 30 m long. Using special dowels, the product is fixed to the putty with its sticky side facing up.

There are many different kinds of damper tapes; Soundguard Band and SK Trading are two of the most well-known brands.

Separating sliding joints

Sliding tapes are the common term for separating tapes used to seal gypsum board seams. They are as follows:

1. non-woven, and are able to strengthen corner seams;
2. with metal strips (intended only for corners);
3. wide fiberglass (more than 10 cm, well strengthens the joint).

Furthermore, the whole range of products is typically separated into categories meant for separation, reinforcement, and rough finishing.

The group of tapes that are being presented have the ability to seal joints of all kinds, including longitudinal, transverse, and corner joints. In the last stage, when a newly erected wall or new object has not yet given the necessary shrinkage, they aid in strengthening the structure.

The following are the products’ key advantages:

• good thermal insulation, noise insulation and vapor barrier characteristics;
• removal of excessive vibration indoors and outdoors;
• water-repellent properties;
• use at any temperature;
• the presence of allowances to prevent frame deformation when the wall geometry changes.

The price range of the products is from 75 to 400 rubles and beyond, depending on the manufacturer. In this instance, a roll is 30 meters long, 395 millimeters wide, and 2-4 millimeters thick. Knauf offers the best tapes in this category.

Why you need to know about tape types?

It is essential to comprehend and differentiate between various kinds of tape designed for gypsum board joints in order to appropriately seal them. Certain products are appropriate for longitudinal seams, while others are better suited for transverse seams, and still others are limited to corners.

The fact that gypsum boards are susceptible to vibration and rely on the humidity and temperature of the space must be considered. This is especially crucial when installing the partition structure because it directly affects how vulnerable the oblique cut chamfers are.

Without sealing the seams with tapes, the environment’s effects on the cuts will eventually cause deep cracks to form, ruining the finish’s appearance and adding to the expensive secondary finishing process.

When gypsum board seams are taped, a perfectly level surface is created, ready for painting with any material of choice and subsequent finishing putty application.

Basic selection rules

Selecting tapes requires familiarizing oneself with their features. Additionally, the buyer needs to be aware of these subtleties:

• manufacturer rating and information about it;
• Reviews of experts and users about the product;
• the availability of accompanying documents;
• certificate of conformity;
• marking and indication of the shelf life;
• Having instructions and warranty.

The density of a material is another factor to consider. The density indicator in the room needs to be between 100 and 150 g/m 2. The cells’ dimensions should be within 5 x 5 mm if the material is mesh.

It’s important to keep in mind that the reinforcing tape’s width measurements should match the joint’s size. Paper ribbons work well for transverse seams, but Serpyanka works best for longitudinal seams only.

Furthermore, which kind of paper or sickle to select in the video:

Using the proper tape to seal seams when working with drywall is crucial to achieving a smooth, polished finish. This article examines the key features of drywall tape, the different varieties that are available, and the most reliable producers on the market. Paper, fiberglass, and mesh tapes differ from one another; by knowing these differences, you can select the best tape for your project that will be user-friendly and durable. We’ll also highlight premium brands that are well-known for producing high-quality goods, assisting you in making wise choices and getting the greatest outcomes from your drywall installations.

Features of use

The following tape kinds are used for gypsum plasterboard partitions:

• The reinforcing material is suitable for horizontal and vertical joints, and correlates with them, depending on the type of seam and the product line recommended by the manufacturers;
• Damper is most often used for rough finishing of the lower part of the floor and wall. It creates a thermal belt and prevents the penetration of draft and cold. Can be used for corners, effectively reduces noise and vibration vibrations from internal and external (street) irritants.
• Sliding joints (for separation) allow you to compact surfaces and create construction allowances that contribute to the preservation and stability of the structure during the shrinkage of a new building, or to restrain vibrations in seismically active regions.

The only characteristics that set each of the products apart are those related to operation, seam type, and corner design. All of the products have advantages in common.

Advantages and disadvantages

The following characteristics are the primary benefits of arranging plasterboard partitions with tapes:

1. They are designed to level partition walls and eliminate any roughness.
2. Creates a perfectly flat surface, ready for finishing.
3. Adhere well to plaster and putty compounds.
4. They have an adhesive base and are additionally mounted with special plastic dowels.
5. Considered to be light in weight and not difficult to install.
6. They help seal joints when creating unusual structures (arches, niches, boxes).
7. Repel water, protect from noise, retain heat.
8. Completely prevent any vibration vibrations.
9. Can be used at any temperature, suitable for year-round construction.
10. Have a flexible, soft texture.
11. Affordable.
12. Considered durable.

Because they have a high resistance to condensation and are constructed of environmentally friendly materials, none of the products grow mold. The tapes had no drawbacks, according to experts. The product has only benefits if it is of high quality and not a fake.

Manufacturers and prices

The Russian Federation’s average prices for manufacturers of tape types with a maximum thickness of 3 mm can be exemplified by the following:

• Paper with reinforcement (52 mm 75 m) – Knauf – 1239 rubles./roll.
• Serpyanka (50 mm x 20 m) – STROYTORG – 36 rubles./piece.
• Damper (10 cm x 25 m) – Tilit Super – 702 rubles./item.
• Tapes for separating sliding joints (15 m x 15 mm) – Knauf – 149 rubles./piece.

The cost of products fluctuates on a regular basis because of the market’s ever-changing prices. The industrial brand tapes that are being offered may not be the same in other regions, like the Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk regions.

In order to achieve a smooth and professional finish in any construction or renovation project, selecting the appropriate tape for drywall seams is essential. Knowing the key features of these tapes—such as their strength, flexibility, and ease of use—allows one to make an informed choice that will guarantee quality and longevity.

Paper tape, fiberglass mesh tape, and metal-reinforced tape are among the various varieties of tape that are available. Every variety of tape has specific benefits. For example, paper tape is robust and adaptable, while fiberglass mesh tape is highly flexible and user-friendly. Metal-reinforced tape, on the other hand, offers additional strength for corners and joints.

It’s crucial to take the manufacturer’s reputation into account when choosing a tape. Prominent companies such as USG, FibaTape, and Saint-Gobain provide dependable products that are trusted by industry experts. These producers provide a variety of tapes to suit various requirements and tastes, so you’re sure to find the ideal match for your undertaking.

You can choose the best tape for drywall seams with confidence if you consider these important factors: types, qualities, and reliable manufacturers. This will not only improve the caliber of your work but also increase the project’s durability and visual appeal.

Video on topic

Tape or fiberglass reinforcement when sealing drywall seams

How to Reinforce Drywall Seams. Paper tape, fiberglass or mesh (serpyanka)

How to apply paper tape to drywall joints

3.Laying reinforcing tape at a gypsum board joint.