Angle Bead

Achieving sharp 90-degree internal corners, smooth archways, and clean window reveals requires selecting the correct plaster bead for your specific job. And matching your corner bead material to the working environment is crucial for professional, long-lasting results. 

Galvanised steel provides an economical, robust solution for standard interior plasterboard walls. On the other hand, stainless steel and non-corrosive PVC trims are best for external rendering, bathrooms, and damp-prone areas to permanently prevent rust bleeding. 

See our guide on repairing render for tips on how to handle the small and large cracks efficiently.

FAQs

What is an angle bead used for?

An angle bead is a straight metal or plastic trim applied to external 90-degree wall corners before plastering or drylining. It serves as reinforcement as it protects high-traffic plasterboard edges from chipping, cracking, and impact damage. It also provides precision alignment that acts as a rigid, straight guide for plasterers to draw their trowels against, guaranteeing sharp corners.

What are the types of angle beads for drywall?

There are a few different types of angle beads for drywall:

• Thin coat angle beads are lightweight galvanised metal trips built specifically for 3mm skim coating over plasterboard walls.
• Mini mesh corner beads feature extended wire mesh wings to anchor securely into thick plaster or render beds (5mm-13mm).
• PVC angle beads are corrosion-free plastic trims that are ideal for wet rooms, external rendering, and high-moisture environments. We have a variety of PVC angle bead sizes available.
• Stainless steel angle beads are a more heavy-duty option. They prevent rust stains in exterior applications.
• Archway and flexible beads are curved and engineered to shape arched door openings and soft radius corners.

How to install angle beads on a wall

To install an angle bead on a wall follow these steps:

1. Start by measuring and cutting the length. You can use heavy-duty tin snips for this.
2. Then fix the bead to the corner. Position the bead over the plasterboard apex. Secure it using drywall screws, plasterboard nails through the pre-punched location holes, or by applying small dabs of joint plaster every 300mm to bed the wings.
3. Press a long spirit level against the nose of the bead to ensure the corner is completely straight before setting.
4. Then you can apply your plaster skim coat (a thin layer of finishing plaster). Trowel your plaster (or jointing compound) over the perforated wings, working from the corner outward to flush the plaster level with the raised bead nose.

Why should I use angle beads for plaster corners?

Plaster on exposed plasterboard corners is naturally brittle and prone to cracking under minor physical impact. Installing angle beads embeds an armoured edge directly into the finish coat. Beyond structural durability, they save a lot of labour time as there's no need to build up sharp corner lines manually with a hawk and trowel.

What tools are required for fitting angle beads?

There are a few tools that’ll help you fit angle beads effectively:

• Tin snips/aviation snips
• Spirit level
• Plasterboard nails/drywall nails 
• Hammer or a cordless screwdriver
• Plastering trowel & hawk

How do I cut an angle bead accurately?

The best tip for an accurate cut is to always measure twice. Measure the exact height of the wall reveal or corner, allowing 2-3mm clearance gap at the base to accommodate floor expansion. Then cut both side wings first using sharp tin snips at a slight angle, before cutting through the centre rigid spine last to achieve a clean cut without bending or crushing the corner profile.

Finish up by gently flattening any sharp metal burrs (sharp raised edges left after cutting) with pliers to ensure safety and prevent snags during trowelling.