Drywall – Inside drywall corners-mesh vs paper

drywall

Can you use mesh tape on inside drywall corners or should I use paper? Is it a matter of preference or are there some rules that are generally followed?

Best Answer

Can you use mesh tape on inside drywall corners or should I use paper?

Paper only - mesh is designed to be used flat, in joints that primarily expand - not to be folded in a corner, where the joint can freely move in all directions.

Is it a matter of preference or are there some rules that are generally followed?

Rules/Experience - manufacturers recommendations and common sense to anyone with a minimal amount of drywall taping experience.

More specifically, mesh tape is intended for joints mainly under expansion loads and does not function well under the compression, bending, or shear loads, that a corner typically adds to a joint. Paper tape has a crease designed into it, for ease of folding and placement within a corner joint. Read the following USG white paper, for more detailed information.

USG - Matching Tapes and Compounds