Drywall Joint Compound

Drywall joint compound—often called mud—is the go-to material for finishing gypsum board seams, embedding tape, covering fasteners, patching holes, and skim coating walls and ceilings. The right compound helps you achieve flat, paint-ready surfaces with minimal sanding, stronger joints, and fewer callbacks.

Common types include:
- All-purpose: premixed for taping, filling, and finishing with good adhesion.
- Lightweight: easier sanding, reduced shrinkage, and less fatigue over large areas.
- Taping: designed to bed tape and resist blistering.
- Topping: ultra-smooth for final coats and feathered edges.
- Setting-type (powder/hot mud): chemical set in 5, 20, 45, or 90 minutes for fast turnarounds, deep fills, and cooler or humid conditions.
- Dust-control and low-VOC options: help reduce airborne particles and odor in occupied spaces.

How to choose:
- Timeline: need speed? Pick a 20–45 minute setting-type for first coats, then finish with lightweight or topping.
- Skill level: premixed all-purpose is forgiving; lightweight sands easily for cleaner results.
- Conditions: in damp or cold spaces, setting-type reduces wait times and shrinkage.
- Application: for bathrooms or kitchens, consider mold-resistant formulas.

Application tips:
- Use taping knives (4–12 inch), a pan or hawk, corner tools, a sanding pole or sponge, and a mixing paddle.
- Apply thin coats, feather wide, and allow proper dry or set time between coats.
- Sand lightly with 150–220 grit; vacuum dust and prime before paint.
- A 3.5–4.5 gal pail typically covers many rooms’ seams; choose from 1 qt, 1 gal, and pro-size pails based on job size.

Storage and safety:
- Keep lids sealed; store above freezing; remix if water separates.
- Wear a dust mask and ensure ventilation during sanding; clean tools with water.

Browse and compare drywall joint compound by type, set time, sandability, and container size to get smooth, durable finishes faster.