FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Drywall

Guide Home
Chapter
  • Drywall Basics
  • Tools and Materials
  • Hanging Drywall
  • Taping and Sanding
  • Special Installations
  • Drywall Repairs
  • Plaster
Tips & Techniques

4 Options for Drywall Joint-Compound

Myron introduces the most common types of drywall mud, and he explains where he uses them and why, depending on the needs of the specific job.

By Myron R. Ferguson

There are a few options when it comes to joint compound and I’d like to explain why I would choose one type over another.

What I have here are three different types of a drying-type compound.  They come premixed in a bucket and all you have to do is stir them up and they’re ready to use.

1. Lightweight Compound

This is relatively new to the market and is a great product for your fill and finish coats. It’s not really the best product for embedding your tape. The lightweight is what I use for my finish coats.

2. Heavyweight Compound

This is like your traditional compound that was first on the market and is best for embedding tape. It’s a harder compound when it dries, so it’s more difficult to sand. The heavyweight compound is what I use to embed my tape on a typical job.

3. Midweight Compound

This is kind of a mix of lightweight and heavyweight compound. This is what a lot of people use so they don’t have to switch from one type to another during the process. The midweight has become quite popular, but for myself, I prefer embedding my tape in the heavyweight and to do all my finished coats with a lightweight compound.

4. Setting Compound

Those are your premix compounds, but another type of joint compound that is quite common is setting compound. This comes in dry form and you have to mix it with water in order to make it the same consistency as a premixed compound. What is unusual about a setting compound is it sets up chemically, similar to how concrete cures.

So here I have a 90, which means in about 90 minutes, it’s going to be unusable. After it’s applied, it’s going to be set up and can actually be coated again in 90 minutes. I use the setting compound when I’m in more of a hurry. Let’s say I’m only taping one small room today, and I would like to get more than one coat on it. So instead of having to wait for these other compounds to air-dry, all I have to do is wait for the setting compound to set up chemically and I can apply my next coat, let that even-dry, and then apply the finish coat all in one day. It’s also great if your conditions are not ideal—for example if it’s really humid or the temperature is a little bit too low. Setting compound works better in those situations compared to the drying-type compounds.


RELATED LINKS:

  • Mixing Joint Compound
  • How to Choose and Mix Ready Mix Joint Compound
  • Install and Finish Drywall Series: 7 Tips for the Best Basic Finish

Sign up for the Fine Homebuilding Tip of the Day and get daily tips and special offers delivered to your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
Previous: Three Tape Options for Drywall Next: Drywall Corner Beads

Guide

Drywall

Chapter

Tools and Materials

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Drywall

Drywall

Trusted, comprehensive guidance for choosing, hanging, taping, sanding, and repairing drywall—the right way

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Drywall Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Drywall Basics
  • Types and Uses of Drywall
  • Planning the Job
Tools and Materials
  • Hanging Tools
  • Taping Tools and Materials
  • Sanding and Finishing Tools and Materials
Hanging Drywall
  • Prep for Hanging
  • Measuring and Cutting Drywall
  • Guidelines for Hanging and Fastening Drywall
  • Hanging Ceilings
  • Hanging Walls
  • Hanging Airtight Drywall
  • Trim Accessories/Corner Beads
Taping and Sanding
  • Taping Basics
  • Taping Seams
  • Taping Inside and Outside Corners
  • Sanding
Special Installations
  • Tricky Transitions
  • Curved Surfaces
  • Other Special Installations
  • Decorating with Drywall
Drywall Repairs
  • Patching Holes, Cracks, and More
Plaster
  • Working with Lime Plaster
  • Plaster Repair
  • Classic Plaster Techniques

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in