Had to pick between paper tape and mesh tape on a big ceiling job in Phoenix

I was working on a 3,000 square foot house last month and had to decide whether to use paper tape or mesh tape on all the ceiling joints. Paper tape takes longer to bed in but gives a stronger bond with the compound. Mesh tape is faster but can crack if you don't mud it right. I went with mesh because I was under a tight deadline and the crew was pushing me to speed things up. Three weeks later I got a call about cracks in two of the corners. Now I'm going back to patch those spots and I wish I had just taken the extra day with paper tape. Has anyone else had mesh tape fail on flat ceiling joints like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

knight.mason25d ago

For big ceilings in Phoenix heat, paper tape handles movement way better than mesh.

campbell.tara24d ago

Literally been saying this for years. Paper tape flexes way better when that drywall's expanding and contracting in the heat. Mesh just cracks right through for me every single time on big ceilings out here. It's not even close. People who swear by mesh on long spans in the desert haven't dealt with the real world yet.