Plastering tape is an essential key feature of the plastering trade. It is a novel invention that has helped immensely in plastering fine details and textures and adding strength and stability to the final surface.
The internet is perhaps one of the most valuable tools an individual can have in their possession. It provides limitless access to information, empowering people from all walks of life with the knowledge that might otherwise be out of reach for them. In this day and age, it’s practically impossible not to know about plastering tape if you’re involved in any way with the construction or renovation industry—but what exactly is it? What purpose does it serve? And why is it so important?
Plastering tape is an adhesive consisting of a unique blend of cellulose fibers. These components are added to this mixture, including acrylic resin binders and wax, which give the tape its unique qualities. The final product is a highly sticky substance with an ultra-fine structure. It is ideal for use as a sealant in traditional plastering materials such as render and gypsum plasterboards. In short, that means it’s used as a sort of high strength “glue”—bridging the gap between two surfaces by adhering to both at once. However, even though it provides excellent cohesion properties, plasterers still have to do their part by holding the tape in place until the adhesive bond sets.
In addition to being useful as a patching and sealing product, plastering tape is also often used as an additive—it’s sometimes integrated into these types of materials as a reinforcing agent. Generally speaking, it can be added to anything from rendering systems and gypsum boards to some decorative finishes. In all cases, though, it serves as a bridge between two surfaces or layers of material, creating a cross-linked matrix that reduces deformation and enhances tensile strength (the resistance of a material when pulled apart). By itself, plastering tape is stiff and abrasive, but it becomes solid and flexible with this type of reinforcement –precisely what you need for a durable and reliable final product.
In the plastering industry, it’s not uncommon for plasterers to refer to this type of tape as “plasterboard”—though that term is typically used in the U.K. At the same time, North American tradespeople more often call it “plaster tape” (the exact terms may vary somewhat depending on where you live). In any event, when they use the word “tape,” they don’t mean something like masking or electrical tape; instead, what they’re referring to is a highly specialized adhesive with an ultra-fine structure. It’s one of the most valuable tools at their disposal when it comes time to finish a project—and because modern materials are so lightweight, they can use it to craft fragile plaster coatings that are even more delicate than the original substrate.
There are two things you need to keep in mind when discussing plastering tape: first, because of its cohesive properties, plasterers can’t work with it if they don’t have it at hand—and second, if you’re doing renovations or similar types of construction that require a patch job before painting or wallpapering your new room, this product will save your life! It’s straightforward to work with and incredibly plentiful; plus, any decent hardware store should carry something close enough to suit most needs (though quality can vary).