Tape and joint, sometimes called dry jointing, is used on tapered-edge plasterboard. The tapered edges form a shallow recess where two boards meet, which is filled with jointing compound and paper or mesh tape, then built up in thin coats and sanded flush. Screw heads and angle beads are spotted and feathered in the same way. Finished properly, the wall is smooth and flat, and the board is then sealed with a drywall primer or mist coat before painting.
Skimming applies a coat of finishing plaster, usually 2 to 3 mm thick, over the whole board. It gives a harder, more uniform surface that hides minor board damage and copes better with knocks. Skim needs longer to dry and a skilled hand to get flat in raking light. Many homeowners prefer skim, while commercial jobs and new builds often use tape and joint for speed.
What is included
- Checking boards are fixed tight with screws set just below the surface
- Tape on all flat joints and internal corners
- Angle beads or corner tape on external corners
- Two or three coats of jointing compound, sanded between coats, for tape and joint
- Scrim tape on joints and a two-coat skim, for skim finish
- Spotting screw heads and filling cut edges
- Dust control and protection of floors and windows
- Leaving the surface ready for a mist coat or drywall primer
Who it is for
- Newly boarded walls and ceilings of any type
- New-build and commercial projects working to a programme
- Homes where a hard, traditional finish is preferred
- Walls that will be seen under strong side light
- Overboarded ceilings and patched repairs
How much does it cost?
As a guide, tape and joint usually costs around £6 to £12 per square metre and a skim finish around £8 to £15 per square metre on new board. A whole room is often priced as a single job, so ask for an all-in figure. See our full cost guide.
