What is drywall tape?
Drywall tape is a rugged paper tape designed to cover seams in drywall. It has no adhesive of its own, but is held in place with drywall joint compound. The tape is designed to be very durable, resistant to tearing and water damage, and has a slightly rough surface to provide maximum adhesion to drywall compound. There are self-adhesive tapes on the market, and they have some positive aspects since they eliminate the need for a first bedding coat of compound. The only drawback is that the drywall surface must be dust-free and totally dry or they don’t stick! Self-adhesive fiberglass tape, touted because it is waterproof, is especially tricky to hide with compound because it is not smooth. Should you not apply a thick enough layer of drywall compound over the top of it, the tape shows through. (Makes your wall look like a painted waffle!) Also, the moisture in the compound will make the tape’s adhesive release. All in all, not a product I’d recommend for any normal drywall installations
