Switched from mesh tape to paper tape for butt joints and I am never going back

I used mesh tape for everything for about 8 years, including butt joints. But last year I had a job in a new build where the homeowner complained about cracks showing through after just 6 months. A older guy on site told me to try paper tape for butt joints because it has more strength. I switched over and now for flat seams I still use mesh, but for butt joints it is paper all the way. Has anyone else found a similar difference in durability with different tape types?

3 comments

3 Comments

theas281d ago

@the_alex clearly hasn't had that "fun" call yet. You will though.

adam_baker2h ago

Gotta ask you something real quick - how long have you been doing this and what kind of climate do you work in? I only ask because mesh is great for some things but I've seen it crack up bad on butt joints in places that freeze and thaw a lot. You might just be getting lucky with your weather or maybe the way you prep hides the cracks better than you think.

the_alex1d ago

Wait, is cracking really that big of a deal with mesh on butt joints? I've used mesh on everything for years and never had a customer complain once.