Suggestions for Installing Drywall Corner Beads

Corner beads are applied to the corners of outside walls during drywall installation to create a strong finish. There are different types of drywall corner beads available. The decision of which material to use depends on the level of damage the corner is likely to receive and the budget you have for the task.

1. The Correct Length

Many homeowners are tempted to cut their first corner bead from a long length of the material, then use the scraps on the next corner when installing drywall. Doing so will weaken the corner beading of the subsequent corners at the point where the corner beads meet. In order to make the most of your corner beading, cut the full length of the corner from a new sheet of the corner beads each time and absorb the cost of the scraps.

2. Trial to Avoid Error

Even the most experienced people can mark a measurement incorrectly or make a cut slightly too short when installing drywall. As corner beading is a permanent fixture in the room, it is worth spending an extra bit of time to ensure that the length is correct before adhering it permanently to the wall. Cut the drywall corner beads and stick them to the wall with pins to check the fit.

3. Square or Rounded

Drywall corner beads are available in square and rounded styles. If you are unsure of which shape to have, then bear these instructions in mind after installing drywall. If the wall is going to be a child’s room, it is safer to use rounded corner beads, as they cause less injury than a square corner.

If the edge of the wall is severely uneven, a rounded corner bead is much more forgiving. If neither of these is the case, then choose a square corner bead as they give a cleaner finish.

4. Tools for the Job

Corner beading also comes in different materials; therefore, you will need different tools at hand to cut them to the correct length. If you are using metal or vinyl corner beading when installing drywall, you will get a nice clean cut with tin snips. If you are using a composite corner bead, you will find the job easier with sharp scissors.

5. Screw Depth

Once the corner beading is installed, apply mud over the top to create an even finish between the wall and the corner beading. In order to make an even finish, ensure the screw is buried deep enough in the drywall that it kinks the corner beading slightly. If the screw head is above the surface of the corner beading, it will be difficult to cover with mud.

6. Screw Height

Corner beading has a series of holes. You do not need to place a screw through every single hole. The general rule is that there must be one screw secured every 12-inches along each wall.

In order to form a solid hold, make sure screws on each side of the corner are at the same or similar height rather than alternating. A final tip is there should be a screw at the very bottom of the corner beading and at the top. Those points are the areas most likely to pull away from the wall over time.