How to Drywall a Metal Corner Strip

  • 2-8 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50-200
What You'll Need
Drywall
Saw
Hammer
Drywall joint compound
Screws
Screwdriver
Sander
What You'll Need
Drywall
Saw
Hammer
Drywall joint compound
Screws
Screwdriver
Sander

If you are adding drywall to your internal wall, you may find that you have a metal corner along the edge of the wall. This metal corner is a reinforcement which protects the wall from accidents and stops it from cracking or chipping. You can find these corners along walls which stick into a room, and are not finished by a door, window, or molding. You can fit a new sheet of drywall onto a metal corner strip very easily. This is a simple job once you have the right equipment to do it, and you can mange to complete this project in a few minutes, and then move on to drywalling the rest of the room.

Step 1 - Keep the Corner Flat

Your first step will be to ensure that the metal corner is completely flat against the side of the wall. Over time, and with age, some metal corners can turn up at the end. They may also become warped with heat, or just metal fatigue. Try and stick the nail down into the edge of your wall. If you are not successful, then you should unscrew the metal corner, and replace it with another. The important thing is to ensure that the corner is flush against the wall, otherwise you will have to cut your drywall into some very peculiar shapes.

Step 2 - Cut the Drywall

Once the corner is flat, cut the drywall to fit it. You can measure the drywall carefully, or press it up against the corner until the edge of the drywall sticks out. You should use a hacksaw to cut off any unwanted drywall. Discard this. You should then be able to place the drywall up against the metal corner, and they should fit neatly together. Continue cutting and altering until the drywall lays flat over the corner there.

Step 3 - Screw in the Drywall

Once you are happy that the drywall is flat, you can start screwing it down. As you have a metal corner, you will not be able to add screws to this part of the wall. Instead, you should screw the drywall down lower, moving the screws so that they fit around the drywall. Tighten the screws into position until the drywall is being held firmly.

Step 4 - Cover the Drywall

Now that you have completed screwing in the drywall, you can add a layer of joint compound over the surface of the drywall. Smooth the compound into the wall. You may want to add some caulk to the edge of the drywall, to prevent it from falling down. Apply two or more layers of the drywall compound to the surface of the wall, and then leave to dry. Once the compound is completely dry, you can then use a sander to smooth away any rough edges, and give you a smooth surface on which to add wallpaper or paint.