Spackle is convenient as a quick-fix option for drywall damage.
Spackle is a repair and patching compound that is used primarily on drywall, but also can be used in wood and plaster. Joint compound, also known as mud, is used to cover drywall tape that covers the seams made when two sections of drywall come together. It is important to understand when it is appropriate to use Spackle, or when joint compound is a better solution.
Application
Spackle is a thicker material than joint compound, and Spackle dries quickly. Those two characteristics make Spackle difficult to apply on drywall tape to finish a drywall job. Joint compound gets its nickname "drywall mud" from its look and consistency. Joint compound is smooth and has a near-liquid consistency that makes it easy to work with. Joint compound does not dry as quickly as Spackle, which makes it easier to apply to an uneven surface such as drywall tape.
Convenience
Because it dries quickly, Spackle works well as a quick way to fix small holes or cracks in drywall or wood. Spackle can be sanded and painted within 60 minutes of application, according to the Home Depot website. Joint compound can take several hours to settle, and its near-liquid consistency makes it difficult to use in making minor repairs to ceilings. Joint compound shrinks when it dries while Spackle does not, which means that joint compound will require at least two applications to fill in holes and cracks.
Packaging
Joint compound can be purchased as a powder that requires water, or it is packaged as a premixed solution in buckets or cans. Contractors purchase joint compound in powder form because it easier to transport than heavy buckets of material. Spackle is commonly sold as a premixed compound in small containers or plastic buckets. It is packaged as a product that can be used quickly to make small repairs, which is why the premixed Spackle compounds are most popular.
Larger Repairs
The reason that joint compound is preferred in larger drywall repairs is that those repairs usually require a replacement piece of drywall to be taped into place using drywall tape. Joint compound is then applied over the drywall tape, and then the entire patched area is sanded before being painted.
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