Drywall compound, also known as joint compound, is a paste used to finish drywall panels and joint tape. It helps smooth out seams between drywall sheets and covers screw and nail heads.
Dust control drywall compounds aim to reduce airborne dust during sanding. This makes the compound easier to work with and improves air quality.
When choosing a dust control drywall compound, there are several factors to consider:
Types of Dust Control Drywall Compounds
Low-Dust Drywall Compounds
Low-dust drywall compounds contain additives that help minimize airborne dust. Common additives include:
- Vinyl acetate polymers – Bind dust particles together so less becomes airborne during sanding
- Mineral oils – Keep dust down by lubricating the sanded surface
- Surfactants – Allow water to more easily penetrate dust particles so they stay down
Popular brands of low-dust drywall compound include Sheetrock Tuff-Hide and Sta-Smooth.
No-Sand Drywall Compounds
No-sand drywall compounds harden smoothly, eliminating the need for sanding altogether. This prevents dust creation.
They contain polymers that shrink as the material dries, self-leveling the surface. Popular no-sand brands include Sheetrock Easy Sand and Durabond No-Sand.
While convenient, no-sand compounds have some downsides:
- More expensive than regular compounds
- May not totally eliminate sanding for touch-ups
- Limited open time for smoothing
Dust-Reducing Application Tools
Using certain tools can further reduce dust when applying and sanding:
- Low-dust sanding screens – Finer grit traps more dust
- Sanding sponges – Softer than sandpaper, less airborne dust
- Pole sanders – Long handle keeps sander away from face
- Sanding guards – Attach around sander to contain dust
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Product
There are a few key factors to weigh when selecting a dust control drywall compound for your project:
Level of Dust Reduction Needed
Think about who will be exposed to sanding dust and how much of a concern it is. For example, low-dust compounds are especially helpful for:
- Indoor jobs where dust must be minimized
- Projects where kids, elderly, or dust-sensitive people will be present
For outdoor jobs or unoccupied spaces, regular drywall compound may suffice if some dust is tolerable.
Joint Compound Performance
While dust reduction is useful, the compound still needs to perform well as a finishing product:
- Workability – Compound should glide on easily and stay workable long enough for spreading and smoothing
- Adhesion – Must adhere well to drywall paper and joint tape to prevent cracks
- Sandability – Sanding resistance shouldn’t be too high or too low
- Dry time – Don’t want an overly fast or slow set
Look for a dust-reducing product that also satisfies in these performance areas.
Cost
Dust control compounds tend to cost 20-50% more than regular varieties. No-sand types are the most expensive.
Factor this added cost into your budget, weighing it against the benefits of less mess and better air quality.
Availability
Check that your desired product is readily available at local home improvement stores before fully relying on it for a project. Special order adds hassle.
Type of Project
Certain characteristics of your specific job may make one type of dust-control compound better suited:
- Big projects – Pick a widely available product.
- Decorative smoothing – No-sand gives the best finish.
- Low-dust critical – Get a low-dust and no-sand for maximum reduction.
- Outdoor or detached garage – Regular compound likely suffices.
Think about your needs and environment to choose the best fit.
Primary Uses and Applications
Dust-controlling drywall compounds have a few main uses:
Drywall Joints and Seams
All purpose joint compounds are used to tape and finish drywall seams and joints between sheets. Dust control versions minimize airborne particles when sanding these applications.
Low-dust compounds deliver good results for common drywall butt joints and corner bead applications. No-sand products excel when an ultra-smooth finish is needed without sanding, such as for decorative skim coating or Level 5 finishes.
Fastener Heads
Embedding joint compound over drywall screw and nail heads helps hide these fasteners. Dust control products allow covering fastener heads with less dusty sanding.
Low-dust compounds tend to work better for hiding fasteners since no-sand types can shrink away from crevices as they dry.
Repairing Drywall Damage
For damaged drywall from dents, gouges, or removed wall anchors, dust-reducing compounds help patch holes smoothly without major dust.
Low-dust compounds allow sanding repairs with lower particle creation. No-sand works for small repairs, but may not be ideal over very large patches.
Texturing
Joint compound can be used to add texture to walls and ceilings before painting. Using a dust control product helps keep particle transmission under control when sanding knock-down or skip trowel textures.
Low-dust compounds are well-suited for texturing since the textures still require some light sanding. No-sand types may have adhesion issues if not sealed properly under thick texturing.
Skim Coating
Skim coating involves smoothing a thin layer of joint compound over an entire wall or ceiling surface. Dust control compounds minimize airborne particles when sanding and smoothing these skim coats.
No-sand products work especially well for skim coating to totally avoid dust. But low-dust compounds also perform admirably for these full-wall smoothing applications.
Primary Brands
Popular brands of dust reducing drywall compounds include:
Sheetrock
- Sheetrock Tuff-Hide Primer-Surfacer – Low-dust all purpose compound for taping and finishing
- Sheetrock Easy Sand Lightweight – Low-dust topping and all purpose compound
- Sheetrock No-Sand – No-sand finishing compound
Sta-Smooth
- Sta-Smooth Low-Dust – All purpose low-dust joint compound
- Sta-Smooth No-Sand – No-sand compound for final coats
ProForm
- ProForm Low-Dust – High-adhesion low-dust compound
- ProForm FeatherEdge – No-sand compound for smooth walls
Durabond
- Durabond 90 – Low-dust setting compound for fast dry times
- Durabond No-Sand – No-sand compound with strong adhesion
Synko
- Synko Low-Dust – Low-dust taping and finishing compound
- Synko Premier No-Sand – High coverage no-sand product
These leading brands offer various performance levels, features, and price points. Try samples to see which dust-reducing products work best for your needs.
Pricing and Budgeting
On average, dust control drywall compounds cost:
- Low-dust all purpose: $15-25 per 5 gallon bucket
- Low-dust topping: $12-18 per 4.5 gallon bucket
- No-sand finishing: $30-50 per 3.5 gallon bucket
Factors affecting price include brand, performance level, distribution markups, and local availability.
For budgeting purposes on drywall jobs using dust control compound:
- Small jobs – Add $50-100 for materials
- Large jobs – Add $500-1000 for materials
- Texture or skim coat – Add $100-200 for extra needed
Reduce costs by buying bulk 5-gallon buckets, or increase convenience with smaller containers for smaller jobs. Consider potential savings oncleanup time and breathing protection as well.
Prevention Tips to Further Control Dust
Beyond using low-dust drywall compounds, you can take other precautions to minimize airborne particles:
- Seal HVAC vents and returns to prevent dust circulation
- Cover furniture and belongings with plastic sheeting
- Use portable air scrubbers equipped with HEPA filters
- Wear N95 face masks when sanding, even with low-dust products
- Work wet when possible, wiping down sanded surfaces with a damp rag
- Schedule sanding when occupants are away to limit exposure
- Clean up promptly after sanding to avoid tracked dust
- Change clothes after finishing dusty work to avoid spreading particles
Take advantage of dust control compounds and diligent work practices to creating the most dust-free drywall finishing experience possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main advantages of dust control drywall compounds?
The main benefits are reduced airborne dust when sanding, decreased mess, easier cleanup, and improved indoor air quality. This makes projects more pleasant and healthier for workers and occupants.
How much less dust do they create versus traditional joint compound?
Testing shows low-dust compounds reduce airborne dust by 30-50% compared to conventional drywall mud. No-sand compounds eliminate up to 99% of dust if used correctly by avoiding sanding completely.
Do low-dust compounds perform as well as regular drywall mud?
The best low-dust products work very comparably to standard joint compounds in terms of adhesion, workability, sandability, and strength when dry. Brands like Sheetrock Tuff-Hide are designed to finish and perform like traditional all purpose mud.
Should I use dust control compound for the entire job?
For optimal dust reduction, use it for all coats from taping to final finishes. But even just the final sanding coats can benefit. For budget projects, a low-dust topping compound saves cost over no-sand products for the final smoothing layers.
What are the downsides to no-sand drywall compounds?
Downsides include higher cost, potential shrinking over cracks/crevices as they dry, limited workability time for smoothing, and possible need for light sanding anyway on imperfections. They also require a primer-sealer before painting.
Can I use dust control compounds for texturing?
Yes, they perform well for texturing. Low-dust products allow sanding knock-down texture with less airborne dust. No-sand types work for skip trowel or other texturing that doesn’t require sanding. Back-roll thicker texture coats for best adhesion.
How long does dust control joint compound last after opening?
Like conventional mud, dust control compounds last at least 6-12 months in sealed containers. Pot life is similar after opening, around 2-4 hours depending on climate. Mix occasionally during use to maximize workability. Discard and replace compound that stiffens, dries, or shows signs of spoilage.
Conclusion
Dust control drywall compounds allow for less dusty finishing of drywall seams, repairs, textures, and skim coating. Both low-dust and no-sand options provide major advantages by reducing airborne particle creation when sanding. Consider product performance, cost, project specifics, and your dust tolerance needs when selecting the best compound for the job. With the right product choice and sound finishing practices, you can work with much less mess and better air quality.