Completing a drywall installation demands the right materials and this includes drywall mud.
A lot of people get confused with the number of options available at local home hardware stores. It’s recommended to compare and contrast what these options are all about to figure out what is best for your needs.
A common comparison made involves texture mud vs joint compound.
Texture mud is known for being thinner and will shrink when applied. On the other hand, the joint compound is a thicker, more robust drywall mud that offers good durability. Its issues involve being difficult to sand and finishing has to be handled with care.
It’s important to look at these differences when choosing the right drywall mud for your home. The wrong choice will make installing drywall a much harder task.
This article will compare texture mud vs joint compound and pinpoint which one is best for your drywall installation.
Table of Contents
Best Drywall Mud (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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Differences Between Texture Mud vs Joint Compound
1. Thickness
Using all-purpose joint compound as drywall mud works.
It is a thicker variation that is easier to apply and tends to hold better. In comparison, texture mud is thinner and that can lead to issues about durability and overall quality.
When finding the best drywall mud, it’s important to consider the thickness in great detail. This will matter a lot when it comes to finishing and making sure the joints hold as well as you want. Any issues in this regard can lead to breakage.
When looking for crack-resistant drywall mud, it does become essential to look at the mud’s thickness. It’s the only way to feel confident in the solution and how well it works out.
When drywall mud is thin, it becomes harder to handle at the best of times. This is why most people will use texture mud for specific parts of the installation. This allows you to go with a more refined solution that does last as long as you want it to.
While thickness is not the only factor to account for, it will stand out.
2. Durability
When comparing all-purpose joint compound to texture mud, it’s always smart to consider the durability of each solution.
Choosing the right drywall mud is going to require a durable solution. This is a must.
All-purpose joint compound is thicker and that allows it to last longer. The reason has to do with how well it holds in comparison to texture mud. While texture mud is going to do a decent job, it will not be a long-term solution.
It simply will not last the way you want it to.
3. Finishing
The all-purpose joint compound takes a longer time to sand and that is going to be something you have to account for.
While it is going to be longer-lasting, you still have to prep the surface a lot more. It’s the only way for the all-purpose joint compound not to look good.
On the other hand, texture mud also has finishing issues but it will not require as much prep work on your end.
These are details you are going to want to think about as a property owner. If you don’t, the drywall is not going to last as long and the joints will be compromised. This is a key factor to think about with any type of drywall mud.
4. Shrinkage
Dealing with shrinkage is something people don’t think about enough.
You have to understand drywall mud can shrink as soon as it settles on the surface. This can become a problem as you will assume a certain amount is enough when that is simply not the case.
Re-applications become a requirement with texture mud and that is frustrating. You will have to budget for this as well.
On the other hand, an all-purpose joint compound tends to do well with one application and is not going to shrink as easily.
Final Thoughts
These are the differences to look at when comparing joint compound to texture mud.
Joint compound tends to be stronger, durable, and more reliable in comparison to texture mud. However, it can also take longer to settle and will demand rigorous sanding to ensure the surface is prepped for it.
These are details you are going to want to think about when finding the right type of drywall mud. Choosing the wrong drywall mud will compromise the project and how well the drywall holds up over time.
Take your time to compare texture mud to joint compound to see which one is best for your particular situation.
Always go with what works for your drywall.
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