PVC Corner Bead

Basic metal corner beads are perforated along their length to accommodate nails or screws. Most corner protectors are also textured to improve adhesion to the joint material. However, metal corner strips are also prone to bending, so handle them with care. It is highly recommended to wear gloves when working with metal corner strips, as this material is very sharp.

Plastic or vinyl corner strips are probably the easiest to use. Metal corner protectors have the disadvantage of being curved and dented, while vinyl and plastic corner protectors are more durable. Plastic and vinyl corner strips are also safer to handle because the material is not sharp and dangerous. Plastic and vinyl corner strips can be easily cut with drywall knives without the need for metal scissors.

Some drywall panels are thicker, while others are installed in layers. Because of the added thickness, projects like this typically feature paper-faced metal corner strips. The effective surface is wider and the paper adheres well to the compound.

A layer of paper tape is included to complete the drywall joints. The tape not only widens the effective surface of the corner protectors but also makes the finish smoother. By adding more paper and less metal, the paper-back metal corner beads increase the surface area, resulting in better bonding without significantly increasing weight. The paper is also very friendly to the compounds used in finishing and bonds quickly.

Some architectural designs require specific elements to maintain the theme. In adobe and southwestern architectural design, this often means the use of rounded corner strips. Corner beads replace the typical ninety-degree angles with elegant arched shapes, which are called rounded corners by tilers. Mounting corner strips create rounded corners, which tend to deflect the impact of shoes and furniture. However, if the connecting walls are of a different color, you won't want to use fillet beads because they don't have defined edges. The rounded edges make it very difficult to transition from one color to another. When installing the radius beads, you should also consider the flooring and trim that will be used. Decorative pieces, such as baseboards and crown moldings, are generally not suitable for rounded beads because the edges are rounded. Flooring can be difficult to install for the same reason, so plan accordingly.

Flexible corner strips can be used on rounded edges such as arches. Articulated corner beads are made of vinyl and contain slots every few centimeters, allowing them to bend and articulate in gentle arcs without curling. Articulated corner beads can be installed completely straight or curved, making them endlessly versatile. Articulated corner beads usually come in rolls of eight to twelve feet, but they can also be added to themselves for larger jobs.

Metal finish corner strips can be used on plaster, stucco, or drywall. Metal veneer corner beading uses a metal lathe instead of the strong, flat nail surface of standard metal corner beading, which is a mesh of galvanized steel. When used with plaster or stucco, a metal lathe works well to set the plaster in place by allowing the material to squeeze through the mesh while the plaster dries. When used with drywall, metal-facing corner strips allow the drywall compound to squeeze and harden, creating strong, rigid corners.