FEATURE: DECORATING & WALLCOVERINGS
TAPING OVER THE CRACKS
B efore reordering
your next delivery of joint fillers for plasterboard, it’s worth taking a moment to assess
your customers’ preferences. To do this, it is best to put yourself in their shoes and ask: Will they have access to water on site to mix powdered fillers? Are they considering manual or machine- based application methods? Will they have sufficient time and resources to handle both mixing and application, or would they prefer pre-mixed products? Ultimately, these considerations will help you offer the right jointing solution that best suits their requirements and will often involve selecting a range with broad appeal.
Filling joints between plasterboard
It’s not made easier by the fact that there are now more products than ever to choose from, which is why many manufacturers offer a jointing selector guide. These help you select the best product for your customers’ preferences and project needs. Popular brands such as Gyproc provide a guide that breaks down the different stages of jointing and finishing and covers both mechanical and hand application. These guides include popular
products, such as EasiFill 60, which has become the preferred go-to, multipurpose solution because it is easy to mix and works well with paper and fibreglass jointing tapes. This is a combined setting- and-air-drying gypsum-based material for both bulk filling and joint finishing, providing high coverage and minimal drying shrinkage. One additional benefit is that it’s also suitable for snagging and filling holes; however, it is designed for hand application, so if you are looking for a product for mechanical application, products such as Gyproc ProMix Lite and Gyproc Quicksand would be a
16 DIY WEEK APRIL 2026
Whilst taping and jointing materials may not be the first thing customers think about when fitting plasterboard, they play a vital role in installation quality, performance and final appearance. Here, Stacey Booth, Head of Marketing & Portfolio at Okarno, part of the Saint-Gobain group, outlines the key factors to consider when ordering taping and jointing products for your store, as there are now more options available than ever before.
better option.
If your customers are looking for added convenience, ready-mixed joint fillers are available, saving them time, eliminating the need for water on-site, preventing mixing errors, and avoiding the need to scrap any unused product. Ready- mixed products come in resealable tubs, so they can use what they need, reseal and then use again on the next job.
Choosing a jointing tape To effectively join plasterboard, your customers will need jointing tape to ensure a smooth, crack- free finish. There are two types of jointing tapes: paper-based and fibreglass mesh. Paper tape provides a strong bond when used with jointing compounds and is effective at minimising cracks where there may be movement between two joints. Paper tapes require a certain skill level to ensure a smooth finish, but they remain a popular choice. Paper-based tape is often less expensive and best suited for those on a budget, but it requires more time to achieve the desired finish. Fibreglass mesh tape has gained popularity due to its ease of use and flexibility. It is also self-adhesive, allowing for quick application without the need for additional compounds.
Whether your customer chooses
paper-based or fibreglass mesh tape is a matter of preference. However, tape is critical to ensuring your jointing compound fills and sets properly and preventing timely, costly rework, so it is worth taking the time to guide them to a quality tape that matches their project.
Skimming the plasterboard ready for the final finish Once the joints between the plasterboard have been taped,
filled and finished, roller-applied coverings are a good way for your customer to get a paint-ready finish, fast. This makes it a great addition to your range.
Customers may find that ready- mixed wall coverings, such as Dalapro Roll Nova, improve application efficiency. Preparation times are typically shorter than with traditional skimming methods, and the average drying time is around eight hours, depending on application thickness and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. From a quality perspective,
the roller application method delivers exceptional consistency. The uniform coverage minimises the variations that can occur with hand-applied techniques, helping to ensure that every square metre receives the same level of treatment. Once applied to the surface, use a skimming blade to smooth the compound to achieve a flawless finish.
Roller-applied coverings, such as
Dalapro Roll Nova, come in a 12-litre resealable tub, allowing customers to load the product directly onto their roller from the tub. Then, when they have finished, reseal the tub and use any remaining product on their next project. It’s also worth remembering that there are still many situations where traditional wet plastering is
essential – particularly for larger- scale repair, maintenance and improvement works, or when working on listed and heritage buildings where original finishes must be preserved. Roller-applied coverings aren’t designed to replace traditional plastering, but they do offer an additional option that can be highly beneficial depending on the job requirements and resources available.
The last word Products for drywall installation have evolved significantly, giving merchants and tradespeople more choice than ever. By understanding how different joint fillers, tapes and finishing solutions perform and where they’re best used merchants can range with confidence and help customers achieve faster, higher- quality plasterboard finishes.
• For more information on joint fillers or Dalapro Roll Nova, visit:
www.okarno.com. To download the Gyproc jointing selection guide, visit:
https://www.british-
gypsum.com/documents/ product-selector-guide/british- gypsum-selector-guide-jointing. pdf
www.diyweek.net
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