Drywall mud, sometimes called joint compound, is a gypsum-based compound used to smooth drywall joints and corners of new drywall constructions. It can also be useful in repairing holes and cracks in existing plaster and drywall surfaces. Drywall mud is available in several basic forms, each with pros and cons. You can choose a specific type to suit your needs or combine different compounds to achieve the desired outcomes.
Compounds and muds: what are they?
The Joint compound, or mud, is a moist substance used in drywall construction. It is used to glue papers to joints, seal gaps, and cover the top of mesh and paper joint tapes for metal and plastic corner beads. It is also used to fill cracks and holes in plaster and drywall.
CGC drywall compound is one of the premier options for creating smooth and flawless walls, and one of its key benefits is quality and versatility – two hallmarks that have earned its place as one of the top choices among professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike.
Different types of Joint Compound
Best Drywall Mud for All Purposes
Professional drywall installers often utilize different types of mud to accomplish different phases in the procedure. For instance, some experts employ mud specifically for embedding tape on paper and a different mud to set an initial base layer to protect the tape. There is yet another one to top the joints.
The All-Purpose compound comes as a mud that has been premixed and sold in boxes and buckets. It is suitable for the entire process of drywall finishing, embedding joint tape, finish coats, and fillers, as well as for texture and skim-coating. Because it’s lightweight and has a slower drying process, it’s user-friendly and is the best choice for DIYers to coat the initial three layers of drywall joints. But an all-purpose glue is less durable than other kinds, like topping compound.
A specific type of all-purpose compound has been described as light all-purpose mud, similar to the standard all-purpose mud but less heavy. Certain experts find it less suitable to tape seams because it is a lesser binding agent. The light version of all-purpose mud can be used as a first and third coat on seams and to finish corner beads. It’s a simple mud to smooth and sand.
Final Coat Mud: Topping Compound
The top compound makes the best compound to apply after the initial two coats of tapering compound have been put on a wall joint that has been taped. It is a non-shrinking compound that applies effortlessly and creates a solid bond. It’s also extremely flexible.
The topping compound is typically offered in dry powder mixed with water. This makes mixing more difficult than premixed compounds; however, it permits mixing the amount you require while saving the remaining dry powder for later use. Topping compound is available in buckets or premixed boxes, and purchasing the type you like best is possible.
There are better choices than the topping compound to embed joint tape as the first coating on most joints made of drywall. If applied correctly, it will reduce the time needed to sand compared to light compounds, like all-purpose mud.
Plaster Cracks: Great for covering with tape and taping
As its name suggests, the Taping compound is perfect for embedding joint tape in the initial stage of finishing the drywall joints. Taping compound is more durable and is harder to sand than other topping compounds.
Taping compound is the best choice when you want to seal cracks in the plaster or when better bonding and resistance to cracks are needed in areas like around doors or windows (which are prone to cracking because of the settling of houses). It’s also the most effective alternative for laying down drywall panels for multi-layer ceilings and partitions.
In a time-sensitive situation, a quick-setting compound is best.
Often referred to as “hot mud,” a quick-setting compound is perfect in situations where you must finish the job in a hurry or when you need to apply several coats in one day. Sometimes, it is referred to as “setting compound,” this compound is great for filling in deep holes and cracks in plaster and drywall when drying time becomes an issue.
If you work in an area with high humidity, you may need to apply this substance to ensure a good finish for your drywall. It sets through chemical reactions instead of simply evaporating water like other substances. It is a result of this that fast-setting compounds can be set even under damp conditions.