What Is Buttboard and Why Should I Use It?

Trim-Tex's drywall backing solution, Buttboard™, is the subject of a lot of the questions Trim-Tex's award-winning Customer Solutions team gets on a daily basis. Folks from all over the world want to know: What is Buttboard? How do I use it? Why do some of my drywall buddies talk about it like it's the cure for the common cold?

While we can't tell you Buttboard is going to do anything for a runny nose, there's a good reason why this solution has so many absolute fanatics — it's all about saving time, labor and material. Read on for the answers to many of the burning questions we receive so frequently about Buttboard, once and for all.

What Is Buttboard?

Buttboard is an OSB (oriented strand board) engineered wood solution used to create flat butt joints using less mud, saving users both time and money. It's not just a regular plank of wood, though; it's uniquely engineered to be slightly thicker on each side than it is in the middle. 

What Are Drywall Butt Joints?

On tapered joints, the intersection of the factory-cut ends of two drywall sheets forms a recessed cavity. In that case, when tape and mud are applied on that joint, you're still generally left with a pretty flat, even surface. Meanwhile, a butt joint forms anytime two cut ends of drywall sheets meet, or “butt up,” against each other, which happens all over the place on both walls and ceilings. 

Butt joints are formed from these cut ends of drywall, meaning, without that cavity made by factory-finished edges, your finishing work will form a hump that must be feathered out properly to get a smooth, paint-ready surface. And hiding that joint is a slow and fussy process, requiring a considerable buildup of mud.

How Buttboard Creates Flatter Drywall Butt Joints

When drywall butt edges are screwed into Buttboard instead of directly into a stud, its sunken middle pulls those edges back, creating space for tape and mud to finish flat instead of bulging outward. This simulates a factory edge; we still get that recessed joint in the drywall, helping you to create perfectly flat walls using around half the time and material you would otherwise.

How to Install Buttboard

Installing Buttboard is simple, as long as you're able to get in before the drywall is hung.

• Center joint between the studs — do not attach the drywall to the studs on either side of the joint.
• Install Buttboard with the black dotted line (which you'll find running down the center of the plank) facing the drywall.
• Install screws every eight to 12 inches, one inch back from the drywall butt edge.
• Butt the end of the second drywall into place, leaving a slight gap, and attach to the Buttboard.
• Finally, install the screws on the adjoining studs.

Buttboard FAQs

What Buttboard Size Should I Use?

Buttboard comes in 48" & 54" sizes. Both these sizes can be used on walls & ceilings. However, some people like to overlap, so in this case, using the 54" is the better option. Plus, if you are using 54" drywall sheets, the corresponding Buttboard is perfect!

Can Buttboard Be Used on Ceilings?

Yes, Buttboard can be used on ceilings! These same time-and-material savings apply to most drywall ceilings. Proper installation is required for best function and use.

Can I use Buttboard four to six inches from the ceiling joist?

No, it needs to be more centered — the joist will not allow the Buttboard to pull up the drywall. Six inches is your border line. This is also true for using Buttboard near a stud.

Convinced? Hit the button below to locate a dealer near you to pick up a box of Buttboard, and start getting back time and material on butt joints.