It does matter which side of drywall tape faces out when installing it. Drywall tape is designed with a manufactured seam or fold down the middle. This seam makes it easy to fold long lengths of tape for use on inside corners. The seam is slightly raised, creating two sides to the tape – one with the raised area and one without.
When installing drywall tape, it is important to position it correctly so that the raised area of the seam is against the wall. This means that the side without the raised area should be facing out. The purpose of this is to ensure a smooth and seamless finish when the joint compound is applied over the tape.
If the tape is installed with the raised area facing out, it can create a visible ridge or bump on the surface of the wall. This can be unsightly and may require additional sanding or patching to achieve a smooth finish. Additionally, if the tape is installed incorrectly, it may not adhere properly to the joint compound, leading to potential cracking or peeling in the future.
To avoid these issues, it is important to pay attention to the orientation of the drywall tape during installation. By placing the tape with the raised area against the wall, you can ensure a professional and seamless finish on your drywall joints.
In my personal experience, I have encountered situations where drywall tape was installed incorrectly, with the raised area facing out. This resulted in visible ridges along the seams, which required extra sanding and patching to correct. It was a time-consuming and frustrating process that could have been easily avoided by paying attention to the orientation of the tape during installation.
It is crucial to install drywall tape with the outside raised area of the seam against the wall. This will help achieve a smooth and seamless finish on your drywall joints and prevent potential issues such as visible ridges or tape failure.