ᐅ Drywall Expansion Joint: Check for Compliance & Proper Sealing Tips
Created on: 11 Dec 2025 10:16
R
r4id-91Hello,
our drywall installer removed the ceiling throughout the entire upper floor of our single-family house (single-layer plasterboard).
In the hallway area (approximately 6m x 1.20m (20 ft x 4 ft)), a 2cm (¾ inch) wide expansion joint was installed across the full width of 1.2m (4 ft) at the transition to the stairwell. There is also a beam at this location. See picture. The joint is located exactly at the edge of the beam.
The joint was neither filled with joint compound nor equipped with an expansion profile; it was simply left as is.
Is this acceptable, and how can it be properly sealed afterwards?
I currently don't have a picture of the drywall work but can provide one later.
our drywall installer removed the ceiling throughout the entire upper floor of our single-family house (single-layer plasterboard).
In the hallway area (approximately 6m x 1.20m (20 ft x 4 ft)), a 2cm (¾ inch) wide expansion joint was installed across the full width of 1.2m (4 ft) at the transition to the stairwell. There is also a beam at this location. See picture. The joint is located exactly at the edge of the beam.
The joint was neither filled with joint compound nor equipped with an expansion profile; it was simply left as is.
Is this acceptable, and how can it be properly sealed afterwards?
I currently don't have a picture of the drywall work but can provide one later.
Hi,
leaving a 2cm (1 inch) wide joint open at the edge of a coating is unusual and can lead to cracks. The cleanest solution afterwards is an expansion profile made of PVC/aluminum with filled edges, alternatively flexible acrylic or silicone if movement is minimal. Simply filling without a profile for a 2cm (1 inch) wide joint would probably crack.
leaving a 2cm (1 inch) wide joint open at the edge of a coating is unusual and can lead to cracks. The cleanest solution afterwards is an expansion profile made of PVC/aluminum with filled edges, alternatively flexible acrylic or silicone if movement is minimal. Simply filling without a profile for a 2cm (1 inch) wide joint would probably crack.