If you’re renovating or building a home, you want it to look as good as the day you finished the project for a long time to come.
That’s why using PURPLE Hi-Abuse and PURPLE Hi-Impact Gypsum Board is such a good idea. Both of these products provided by National Gypsum are designed to be tougher than ordinary drywall so they can stand up to the abuse of daily life.
They both are also XP drywall, which stands for extra protection against moisture, mold and mildew.
Both are built with a stronger core than standard drywall, to defend against dents, scratches and scuffs.
The surface is protected by an abrasion-resistant paper on the front face of the panel. This makes PURPLE Hi-Abuse great for high-traffic areas like entryways, laundry rooms and hallways.
But what’s the difference between the two?
Well, PURPLE Hi-Impact Gypsum Board has the same qualities as Hi-Abuse while also featuring a fiberglass mesh embedded into its core to resist penetrations and provide the highest level of durability for walls or ceilings.
This material is perfect for basements, garages, playrooms or any area that might see an impact from hard objects.
![Patching hole in drywall. Patching hole in drywall.](https://todayshomeowner.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/788-painting-made-easy-4-patching-drywall-hole.jpg)
You Asked, We Answered
I patched a big hole in my wall with drywall and put spackling over the drywall. Was this wrong? -Yolunda
Hi Yolunda,
While similar in nature, spackling is usually used to fill nail holes and other minor imperfections while joint compound is the best choice for finishing drywall.
Spackling is thicker and shrinks less than joint compound, but joint compound goes on smoother and is easier to sand.
Both spackling and joint compound should only be applied in thin layers and allowed to dry thoroughly between coats.
Once you’ve cut the drywall patch and nailed or screwed it in place, rough up the painted surface around it with sandpaper and wipe off any dust with a damp sponge.
Next, apply either mesh or paper drywall tape over the joints where the two pieces meet to reinforce the seams and keep them from cracking.
Fiberglass mesh tape is easier to use since it has an adhesive on one side which is applied directly to the surface of the drywall. It is then covered by several coats of joint compound and sanded smooth.
When using paper tape, apply a thin layer of joint compound to the seam first then press the tape into the compound with a drywall taping knife.
After it has dried, apply additional coats of joint compound and sand the wall smooth.