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The best tool for skim coating drywall is a skim coating blade, which can smooth out joint compound in wide stretches. While you could use a smaller drywall knife for skim coating, the smaller size means it’ll take longer to smooth out each section. Instead, consider investing in a skim coating blade for the quickest application.

Although they have similar applications, spackle and joint compound are not the same. Their primary differences lie in their composition, consistency, and ideal use cases.

Spackle is composed of gypsum and binding agents, making it thicker than joint compound. It dries quickly and is easy to sand, which makes it ideal for small wall repair projects like filling nail holes or patching minor damage.

Joint compound, also known as drywall mud, consists of limestone and gypsum. It is primarily used for large-scale projects, such as taping and finishing the seams on newly installed drywall. It tends to shrink more than spackle and can be more difficult to spread.

While both products can be used to fill small depressions and cracks, spackle cannot replace joint compound for taping and mudding new drywall. Conversely, you can often use joint compound for small patching jobs typically done with spackle.

With its breathability and flexibility, lime plaster is among the most durable of all plaster types. It's also fire-resistant and has a proven track record, as people have been using it for thousands of years.

However, all plaster types will last for many years with the right care and treatment. Proper preparation and installation will also help ensure your plaster walls look great for as long as possible.

You should leave a gap between drywall sheets because they naturally expand and contract along with the building framing as temperature and humidity change. Most pro drywall installers leave a gap of about ⅛ inch between drywall sheets, allowing the sheets to expand, contract, and shift without cracking or becoming damaged. If you don’t leave enough gaps between slabs, the edges will press against each other when they expand, and the pressure can cause visible cracks.