Drywall Taping and Mudding
When it comes to drywall finishing, before considering fancy final finishes, there is the process of taping and mudding to be done. That’s where a mix of taping compound and paper or fiberglass tape is applied to cover up seams, smooth over joints, and ensure that any screw or nail heads remain invisible. Without taping and mudding you just won’t get that perfectly smooth surface that is the foundation for any good finish, textured or smooth. Because even slight flaws in the taping and mudding will be visible to the eye the process of taping and mudding is best left to our seasoned professionals whose skill in application means minimal sanding is required before the taping and mudding procedure and whose finishing skills makes for perfectly smooth seams and surfaces.
Taping and Mudding the Work of Others
Because really high quality taping and mudding is a demanding job we are often asked if we are prepared to perform taping and mudding for other people’s work. While we believe that the very best of work is inevitably done by us from the first to the last we sometimes step in to finish off work that others have done, or that needs reworking to get the smoothness now expected of it. You can use us for your Kitchen Remodeling, your Bathroom remodel or any type of remodel you can think.
Taping Compound and Tape
Professionally applied taping and mudding is done in a series of layers and it’s that attention to detail, and never skipping a step in the process that guarantees a perfect finish. The first step is the taping compound, without which the tape won’t adhere to the joints. Covering taping compound doesn’t crack or shrink so it’s used as the first level to fill cracks and seams. Then once there is a smooth layer of compound the tape is applied, either paper or fiberglass mesh. There are fans of both types but we normally advise paper where there is a smooth surface as it is more rigid and smoother but fiberglass can have its uses, notably where its flexibility comes into play. Our expert installers will be happy to explain to you what they recommend and why for any drywall. We then apply a second layer of taping compound over the tape to ensure that there is no perceptible seam from the tape itself.
Topping Compound
Topping compound doesn’t help with the adhesion of the tape but is instead a covering layer that goes over the previous mudding and taping work to ensure a perfectly seamless and smooth finish. Topping compound can then be sanded to get that perfectly flawless look (essential for high gloss and high lighting situations) but our skilled installers take pride in the minimizing the need for sanding through their smooth application.
Setting Compound
Setting compound is another tool in the professional’s toolbox which we particularly use for fixing small holes in drywall. It dries harder and bonds better with the existing drywall and we can apply one layer even before the last is fully dry which makes for fast and efficient repair work in areas that need to be up and functioning as rapidly as possible.
