Installing corner beads is an essential step in achieving a professional finish when installing or repairing drywall. Without corner beads, drywall corners become vulnerable to cracks, dents, and other damage over time. In this complete guide, we will explore the purpose of corner beads, the main types available, factors to consider when selecting corner beads, proper installation techniques, and tips for getting flawless results.
Overview of Corner Beads for Drywall
Corner bead is a trim product used to protect, reinforce and decorate outside drywall corners. They create clean, sharp corner edges and prevent cracks, chips, and other damage. Without corner beads, drywall corners become fragile and easily damaged when bumped or exposed to repeated contact and impacts.
Unfinished drywall corners also tend to crack and split over time as the building settles. The paper surface tears easily if knocked into or stressed. Corner beads reinforce and strengthen corners to prevent these issues.
Benefits of Using Corner Beads
There are several important benefits that corner beads provide for both functionality and aesthetics:
- Create sharp, well-defined corners
- Protect corners from dents, cracks, and other damage
- Provide strengthened reinforcement to corners
- Prevent cracks from building settling/movement
- Create seamless transition from corner to wall
The right corner beads transform an amateurish drywall job into a professional finish that will last for years. Now let’s look at the most common options available.
Types of Corner Beads
There are three main types of corner beads used in drywall finishing: metal, paper-faced, and vinyl.
Metal Corner Beads
Metal corner beads are the most traditional choice made from thin galvanized steel or aluminum. They provide a rigid 90-degree angle piece to protect and reinforce outside drywall corners.
Metal corner bead is by far the most durable and rigid option capable of withstanding impacts and force. The rigid metal thickness offers excellent reinforcement for straight wall corners while resisting cracks, chips, and corner damage.
However, the rigid design also makes metal beads more challenging to install. They may require additional anchors or fasteners to hold them in place during finishing. Care must also be taken when handling and cutting metal corner beads to avoid personal injury or damage to the product.
While very sturdy and protective, the protruding metal edge gives an industrial appearance that stands out from the wall. It takes extra work to blend the edges for a seamless finish.
Paper-Faced Metal Corner Beads
Paper-faced metal corner beads offer the durability and strength of a metal bead with an integrated paper facing to improve aesthetics.
The product features a rigid metal or thick plastic core. However, one side has a layer of paper that covers the outer corner edge. The paper facing creates a smooth, continuous surface and provides an excellent bond with drywall joint compound.
Paper-faced beads blend seamlessly into the wall with minimal finishing required around the edges. The paper also prevents corrosion and improves paint adhesion.
While more decorative than metal beads, paper-faced versions are less durable. The thin paper facing can tear during installation or finishing. It also provides less corner reinforcement than solid metal or vinyl beads.
Vinyl Corner Beads
Vinyl corner beads provide a lightweight, flexible plastic trim option. They attach to outside corners with integrated fins that sit flush against the drywall.
The flexible vinyl material installs faster with easier bending and shaping capabilities. Vinyl beads won’t rust or corrode and provide increased resistance to moisture, making them suitable for bathrooms and other humid environments.
While vinyl corner bead costs a bit more than paper-faced metal, it offers unmatched performance for moisture-prone areas. Vinyl is also less prone to denting and maintains its shape better after minor impacts compared to metal.
On the downside, flexible vinyl beads provide less corner structure and reinforcement than rigid metal. Care must be taken during finishing and painting to avoid damaging or deforming the vinyl product.
Choosing the Right Corner Bead
With an understanding of the corner bead types available, let’s explore the key factors to consider when deciding which option to use.
Type of Drywall Corner
The style of corner affects which type of corner bead will fit best. For standard 90-degree corners, any bead type will work well. But specialty beads may be needed for unique situations:
- Bullnose corners – rounded, customizable radius
- Archways – curved metal/vinyl beads
- Irregular corners – flexible vinyl or tape-on beads
Consider how much rounding or irregular shaping is needed for the corner when selecting a bead type.
Environmental Factors
Where the finished corner is located also impacts material suitability. High-moisture areas like bathrooms favor vinyl or moisture-resistant metal corner beads:
- Frequent splashing/water contact
- Temperature/humidity fluctuations
- Chance of flooding or leaks
Paper-faced beads should be avoided in wet areas. For dry, low-traffic areas, paper or economy metal beads often suffice.
Installation Considerations
Factor in the complexity of the install process based on corner accessibility and finish needs:
- Hard to reach areas
- Scaffolding/lifts needed
- Difficult cutting requirements
- Special fasteners or glue
- Extra reinforcement needed
- Curved corner capability
Flexible vinyl beads rate well for ease of install, while thick metal may require more custom fitting.
Budget
Material costs also vary significantly. Paper-faced metal beads provide an economical solution compared to solid metal or vinyl:
- Paper-faced – $0.15 – $0.30 per foot
- Metal corner bead – $0.30 – $0.75 per foot
- Vinyl corner bead – $0.70 – $1.50 per foot
While vinyl and metal corner provide the most reinforcement and protection, the price tag may be prohibitive for larger projects. Consider pricing when selecting corner bead types and quantities.
Installing Corner Beads
Once you’ve selected the right corner beads for the project, proper installation is key to getting an attractive, seamless finish.
Prep Work
Ensuring the underlying corner structure is straight and secure is crucial before hanging corner beads. Look for protruding drywall edges, gaps in the corner, or other defects and repair as needed with additional drywall strips or joint compound.
Cut metal and vinyl corner beads with aviation snips. Use sturdy shears when cutting paper-faced beads. Ensure cuts are straight and the bead butts cleanly against adjoining walls.
Tools needed include:
- Utility knife
- Drywall saw
- Nails/drywall screws
- Hammer
- Drill
- Aviation snips
- Shears (paper-faced)
- Tape measure
Securing the Bead
Position corner beads centered over the corner and press flat against both wall sides. Secure with nails or screws spaced every 6-12 inches depending on thickness. Ensure consistent alignment down the entire corner length as you fasten.
In addition to mechanical fasteners, construction adhesive provides extra bonding power. Run a bead of adhesive along the back flange before mounting corner beads in critical high-traffic areas.
Applying Joint Compound
Let corner bead adhesive fully cure before finishing, usually 24 hours. Paper-faced and vinyl beads can be coated immediately but allow metal beads to sit overnight.
Use a 4-6 inch drywall knife to apply the first coat focused on embedding the beads into compound. Feather out the compound 2-4 inches wide from the corner. Allow thorough drying between coats.
Build up 2-3 thin finish layers allowing complete drying and light sanding between coats. Avoid applying too much compound to prevent excessive drying cracking. The final coat should make a smooth uniform transition from the flat wall to the corner edge.
Achieving Perfect Corners
Follow these tips for flawless corner finishes that resist damage and stand the test of time.
Preventing Cracks and Damage
Properly installed corner beads prevent cracks by reinforcing and strengthening vulnerable drywall corners. They also withstand bumps and minor impacts without denting or chipping compared to bare drywall corners.
Without reinforcement, drywall corners readily crack from stress as homes settle and shift over time. Knocks and bumps also easily damage and gouge unprotected drywall edges.
Troubleshooting Problem Corners
External factors can cause corner challenges during or after finishing:
- Bubbling or cracks – compound drying issues; seal and recoat
- Popped nails – fastener failure; re-anchor into stud
- Misalignment – shim and adjust; re-nail
Identifying underlying problems allow targeted repairs to get corners back up to par.
Maintaining Quality Finishes
Don’t undo quality corner work by neglecting finished surfaces. Use gentle cleaners and promptly fix minor damage to keep corners like new.
Wipe painted corners with soft microfiber cloths to prevent grime buildup. For scratches or paint chips in finished corners, use touch up kits for fast spot repairs.
Perfectly finished drywall corners require properly reinforcing and protecting underlying corners. Corner beads transform flimsy drywall edges into durable, resilient surfaces that prevent cracks and damage.
Consider finish needs, location, budget and ease of install when selecting metal, paper-faced or vinyl corner beads. Following best practices for cutting, mounting and finished corner beads results in seamless, flawless edges.
Keep finished corners looking new with gentle cleaning methods and prompt repairs when needed. Properly installed corner beads keep walls looking sharp for the lifetime of the building or room finish.
