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Our fiberglass tape, a self-adhesive drywall joint tape is the best quality mesh tapes in use today. Our specially primed adhesive strength is intended to execute in all environments, this is especially important where heat and humidity may cause other products to meet with complications. Customer feedback has shown superior bond ratings versus our competition.

Note:
The weight of the fiberglass strands of the mesh woven is significant to its strength. 75 grams per meter is stronger than 65 grams per meter. Thin rope is weaker than thick rope. More material is used in a nine by nine (9 x 9) grid per square inch than an 8 x 8 grid per square inch. Meaning that in a 9 x 9 quality, if one were to place a piece of mesh on a piece of paper and measure one linear inch, a count of 9 boxes would be present in length and the same is true for a one inch width. Fiberglass mesh tape is effective in drywall repair; though it has become a favorite of some plasterers for use as drywall joint tape, used in sectional transitions. Though more expensive than paper tape, contractors see this tape as a shortcut to finish jobs. Usually the taper tapes an entire floor of wallboard joints at the end of one day and applies compound the next. The thought is that the compound going through the grid is forming a similar backing as paper tape without the embedding step. Over time, during and long after the job is finished, difficulties may arise.

One may find Self-adhesive fiberglass mesh throughout the world in varying qualities and prices. This was not always the case. It was developed as a better, faster building alternative to paper tape. Globally, paper tape is the preferred material to join wallboard by a wide margin due to reliability, consistency and strength. Sometime ago, just after its introduction, fiberglass tape (scrim) regular use was predominantly for repairs. The product came to drywall as a by-product of excess trim from factories making other products for plastering and screening.

Initially regarded as too expensive, many skeptics including gypsum manufacturers doubted the long-term quality effects. The original manufacturers were mostly located in England, US, and Germany. They fabricated a quality product and made a conscious effort to promote mesh tape, lobbying the drywall tradesmen and associations to gain certification approval by the gypsum manufacturers. Eventually fiberglass mesh became an accepted taping material among plasterers. After a few very profitable years, these mesh manufacturers who created the market came under an attack of competition; lower cost sourcing had become available in Taiwan and Korea. Companies and brokers in the U.S. imported directly or via Canada to avoid country of origin declaration.

To keep in step with less expensive Asian version, the original manufacturers began subtly varying the product quality to compete with prices. The first step was introducing slightly narrower widths to lower costs. They touted quality, consistency and ability to service via smaller quantities that the container loads required to import goods. More recently, due to cheap labor, Chinese manufacturers were able to produce a suitable mesh tape to compete with Taiwan whose labor prices were soaring, sending prices tumbling. Over time the last two years Chinese manufacturers began to compete amongst each other. The mesh product alters to the point where the importance is more about competitive pricing among sourcing choices rather than the improvement for tapers productivity and quality work material. Though this may not prove an immediate problem; eventually when more "cracking repair" callbacks from building owners take place, the contractor could see that pennies saved initially will eaten by repairs needed later.

In short, due to general pricing concerns; many mesh tape suppliers have "tampered" with qualifications of manufacture, width of goods, weight of fabric, weave sizing, as a means to achieve prices, many times misleading customers and eventually shortchanging the end buyer.

The taping skill that paper taping requires is the same with fiberglass scrim installation. With the current form of product, there are concerns heard from users:

• Adhesive not working in cooler environs (delaminating) or drying out in storage
• Fiberglass mesh & compound together are prone to cracking overtime
• More compound is needed to cover scrim
• The lack of folding ability prohibits corner or off angle work
• There is no time savings to offset liability

Dura-Tape, and its customers, approaches the marketing of fiberglass mesh tape differently than competitors. Selling the highest quality alkali resistant fiberglass tape is paramount; having recognized that poor tack is the main worry of the contractor, Dura Tape engaged in research for improvement. The recent development project yielded an additional two grades of adhesive; both superior to the general mesh adhesive imported. Dura-Tape has developed a very strong, tighter weave mesh with a specification of 85g/meter and 10x10 per square inch grid. The product is far superior and known as Ultra Premium Wall Web... call for availability!

Take this challenge; Compare and inspect 2" Dura-Tape Fiberglass Mesh against the 1 7/8" competition and their prices!

View Fiberglass Mesh lab test specifications.