Is Spackle a Better than Joint Compound? Explained!

Spackles and a Joint Compound are products that are used for wall construction and repairs. Having such similar purposes, you can’t help but think which one should you really use. While it still depends on your preference, these products still have a bit of an advantage over each other when it comes to the specific needs for your repairs.

Yes, you can definitely use spackle instead of a joint compound but it’s usually for small repairs such as holes. You can still repair holes with a joint compound but spackles are just easier to use and dry quicker than a joint compound so it’s a go-to product for that specific problem.

There are still a lot of differences between spackle and joint compounds ranging from the shrinkage, efficiency, ease of use, the size of the containers, and much more. This article will teach you all about spackle and the different situations that you should use it in while comparing the product to a joint compound. 

What are spackle and a joint compound?

Spackle

Spackle can be made out of different materials depending on the type. Generally, it’s made out of gypsum powder and binders. Light spackle, the ones used for smaller-sized holes, can be made out of vinyl. If you have any holes made by pins or nails then you should definitely go for light spackle. On the contrary, a standard spackle is used for larger holes and is usually made out of acrylic. It’s usually sold in pre-mixed containers but there are available powder ones as well which are usually packaged in smaller quantities.

Joint Compound

A Joint compound is made up of gypsum dust. It’s better suited for larger projects such as taping and finishing drywall. Like spackle, it can come in different types such as all-purpose, topping, taping, and quick-setting. The quick-setting joint compound is the most similar to spackle as it is also made to do small repairs. You can often find the powder form of this product but there are pre-mixed ones as well. It’s sold in larger quantities though.

Now that we’ve established a bit of the difference between spackle and joint compound as well as their composition, you’re now getting a sense of what they can be used for and the other advantages it has when it comes to the specific needs of the renovation.

Using spackle instead of joint compound

Using spackle is preferable at certain times rather than joint compound. For one, you can always rely on spackle when you need a small renovation done as soon as possible and only have a limited budget. It is something that can be hard to achieve when you try to use a joint compound for reasons that will be explained further in the article.

For now, let’s talk about their features. As we’ve mentioned, a spackle dries quicker than the joint compound but it also shrinks less. This means that a spackle will be easier to use because you don’t have to apply layers and layers just to fill up a single patch, unlike the joint compound. It’s also a bit thinner than the joint compound so while you’re using it, you can find that it’s not that difficult to spread along with the dents and holes of walls.

So yes, you can use spackle instead of a joint compound but if you don’t know when and where to use it then you might be wasting your money and time. For you to properly understand the benefits of spackle, you need to use it for its intended purpose and not as your first choice for everything that comes up for construction.

When to use spackle and joint compound

Of course, if you require quick and easy repairs for small holes then spackle should be the product that you use, and here are the reasons why:

• Spackle dries quickly, if you don’t like how long it takes for drywall mud to dry then you should try spackle. It takes around an hour before you can sand it down compared to drywall mud which has multiple factors to consider for its drying time. It would be such a hassle for a small project.
  
• Spackle also has a much thinner coat, this allows the spackle to easily spread around the damaged area/s. You can easily skim over the holes and dents, just make sure to keep up with its pace since you won’t be able to move much of it if you give it ample time to dry.
  
• It doesn’t shrink that much compared to drywall so you will have an easier time with repairs since you don’t have to fill up the damages over and over again. Spackle can easily cover it without you having to worry about not putting in enough product.
  
• The other reason why it should stay in small-scale repairs is that it’s mostly only available in small containers and can cost quite more than a joint compound if bought in the same amount. But don’t be confused, spackle is still the cheaper option as long as you use it for something small. After all, it wouldn’t make sense to buy a large tub of drywall mud if you’re only going to renovate a tiny area with nail-sized holes.

Using Joint Compound at A Larger Scale

On the other hand, the joint compound should be used for renovations on a larger scale, this is because:

• It’s sold in large containers and comes in powder form rather than pre-mixed ones. Because of this, it is much easier to formulate your own consistency and even customize the compound based on what you need for the project. For example, if you’re having bubbles on your tape and require removal, you would need the compound in powder to ensure that you have the right consistency for the job.
  
• It’s less expensive than spackle. It makes much more sense to buy a large container of joint compound because not only is it efficient but it also lessens the burden on your wallet for that specific job.
  
• It is more durable than spackle which makes it a better option for large projects. After all, you wouldn’t want your wall to crumble easily after accidentally bumping onto it. Depending on the variety, spackle can easily break making it only dependable for quick and small fixes.
  
• By having a slow drying time, you can easily manipulate the shape and even out the surface without having to worry about it drying too quickly. It would be annoying to use spackle in large-scale projects especially since you’d have a hard time adjusting the compound once you accidentally overlook an imperfection and left it for a couple of minutes.
  
• You can reapply the mud to thicken up the wall. It’s one of the upsides that drywall mud has since you would have a difficult time applying this feature to the spackle. A joint compound is simply buildable and easy to form if you apply the right techniques.

Different types of spackle and their uses

1. Lightweight spackle – It’s made up of sodium silicate, an adhesive, and some fine aggregate. It is designed for quick repairs, thus it is efficient in fixing small holes and cracks in a short period. Beware, it is quite difficult to sand so you should make it as even as possible before letting it dry.
   
2. All-purpose/standard spackle – This is the one that’s made up of gypsum. It’s the reference to all those general answers about spackle and its features. Since lightweight spackles can’t handle large holes because they will crumble easily using an average amount of strength. Because of this, it’s easier to opt for the standard one instead.
   
3. Vinyl spackling compound – This one fills up holes of a specific size. If you have a hole that is ¾ inches deep then vinyl will be perfect for it. Similar to the mud, it should be applied in layers. The layer should be completely dry before applying another one. Due to it being made out of vinyl, it will not easily crumble and can even be sanded easily.
   
4. Acrylic spackling compound – This compound is quite flexible to use. It can be applied to numerous materials namely drywall, plaster, wood, brick, and even stone. Make sure to check the advice of your manufacturer before using it on other materials.
   
5. Epoxy spackling compound – An epoxy spackling compound will be much easier on wood than any other material due to its oil-based filler. You can easily repair holes and cracks on wood with this compound.

Conclusion

Reaching the end of the article, I’m sure you’ve gained valuable insights as to what makes spackle different from joint compounds and the different types that you can utilize depending on what you need.

While there are many different types of spackle, each with its own specific uses, joint compound is a better option for larger renovations. It comes in a powder form which makes it easier to customize the consistency, and it’s more durable than spackle. Additionally, the joint compound has a slow drying time which allows you to easily adjust the surface before it dries. Finally, you can reapply the mud to thicken up the wall if necessary.