Various compound textures have been applied to hide minor surface imperfections. Drywall installers use different mud fillers for different stages of the process. Keep intact as we peruse some of the application similarities and differences of texture mud and joint compound on the drywall.
Drywall installers may use different mud compounds for embedding paper tape, setting a base layer to cover the tape, and topping the joints. Drywall installation conceals stains, repaired areas, and surface imperfections.
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Joint Compound
Mastic or drywall compound is joint compound. White gypsum paste powder is drywall compound. Gypsum dust makes cake icing-like muck with water.
Joint compounds wet and dry. Dry joint compound becomes mud when mixed with drinking water. However, wet joint compound is pre-mixed for DIY.
Joint compositions with latex increase strength and flexibility. Joint compound consistency by purpose. Thicken the gypsum-based paste for final coating or pudding-like for hand tapping.
Joint compound mud has several basic types. Joint compound types can be used alone or together to achieve benefits. Common joint paste uses include;
- Joint compound and paper or mesh joint tape seal drywall joints. The seal makes interior wall painting seamless.
- New drywall joints and corners are finished with paste.
- It helps fix plaster and drywall cracks and gaps.
- The damp muck fills plastic and aluminum corner bead joints.
Types of Joint Compound
All-Purpose Compound
The all-purpose compound is lightweight, easy to work with, and has a slow drying time. It is ideal for coating the first three layers over drywall joints. This is the best drywall mud as drywall installers can use it for diverse phases of drywall finishing, such as;
- Embedding joint tape and filler coats
- Texturing and skin coating
Topping Compound
This is a soft low-shrinking compound that offers a very strong bond. The topping drywall mud compound is best for final coats. It works great after the first two coats of tapping compound.
The topping compound is normally dry powder and must be combined with water for workability. Not recommended for joint tape embedding. Using topping compound as the final layer cuts sanding time.
Tapping compound
The drywall mud compound is ideal for embedding joint tape. It is best applied to cover plaster cracks because it dries harder. More so, it is an ideal option for laminating drywall panels in ceilings and multilayer partitions. Tapping compounds offer crack-resistance properties, and it isn’t easy to sand.
Quick-setting compound
It is also recognized as hot mud. If you seek a compound that is crucial to quickly enhance the completion of a job, a quick-setting compound is a deal, especially if you want to apply multiple coats in a single day.
This compound is useful for filling areas where dry time is an issue, such as deep cracks and holes in plaster and drywall. Additionally, a hot mud compound is great in areas with high humidity.
Quick-setting chemicals set via chemical reaction, not water evaporation. Damp circumstances set hot mud composites.
The quick-setting compound is available in the form of dry powder. It is mixed with water and applied immediately. The setting time ranges from five to ninety minutes.
Texture Mud
Texturing mud compound hides drywall flaws. A compound having a considerable and subtle surface. Specialized texture mud is powder or spray.
The texturing material can be hand-sprayed or distributed with a knife on drywall and lightly scraped. Spread undiluted pre-mixed on drywall. Pour water into the compound to spray. While using texture mud, you may add sand to the compound to add graininess to the texture. The finer grains provide firm ground, especially to the ceiling. Allow the compound to stiffen for about one to two hours before you scrape it.
Texturing a Wall
Wall texturing provides an overall stunning new look in a room. Various techniques for spreading texturing compounds create varying final patterns. Although you may need some preparation before texturing over oil-based paint, texturing can be done right over the old paint.
Improve the adhesion by using de-glossers to de-gross the paint. Wash the wall with a strong tri-sodium phosphate solution and let the walls dry. Then etch the painted surface sanding with a pole sander. Spread a coat of oil or water-based primer on the drywall to improve adhesion.
The optimum consistency of texture depends on the mode of application. Let the texture be as thin as paint, especially if you spray or roll it along the wall. Dilute the pre-mixed mud to trowel on the drywall. You can deposit blotches on the drywall surface.
Texture Mud vs. Joint Compound: The Similarities
- Both filler compounds are available in the form of either dry powder or pre-mixed material.
- Both installation material compounds are used to hide imperfections
- Both processes can integrate the use of all-purpose drywall joint compound material in the installation process
- They both create an interesting pattern on the wall
Texture Mud vs. Joint Compound: The Differences
- Joint compound is mainly used for tapping seems, whereas texture mud is used to produce mottled surfaces.
- Joint compound is simple to use, whereas texture mud entails a complicated application procedure.
Conclusion
Surfaces with drywall texture mimic other wall coverings. The ideal drywall filler product depends on the fracture or surface defect. Drywall installers utilize several bonding chemicals and compounds to get their desired texture.
