How To Install Angle Beads

Posted on 15/11/21

Angle Bead Blog Post


Angle beads are used to create a crisp, neat corner when skimming a wall. They provide a uniform thickness to the wall, but how can you use them and what is the installation process? In this guide, we’ll take you through, step-by-step, how to install external angle beads for a professional finish.

What are angle beads?

Angle beads, also known as plaster beads, are metal strips which wrap around an external corner in a room. They attach to the plasterboard and are used to create a neat, sharp corner that creates the ideal foundation for skimming plaster for a professional result when it comes to decorating. Angle beads are only used on outer corners as internal corners don’t require them – you can use scrim tape instead here.

The materials needed to install angle beads are incredibly affordable and the process is easy to do, even for DIY amateurs – if the beading doesn’t look right, it’s easy enough to take it off and repeat the process until you’re happy with how it looks, so it’s forgiving. Even if you’re getting a professional plasterer in to do the skimming, installing the angle beads yourself can help you save money on the overall costs.

What tools do I need?

Luckily, you don’t need many tools to install external angle beads – in fact, you may already have them in your tool box. You’ll need something capable of cutting through the metal beads, such as tin snips, a tape measure and scissors to cut through the scrim tape. Then you’ll also need the angle beading itself. Make sure you allow for an extra 10% for wastage or offcuts.

How do I install angle beads?

There are several methods you can choose from when it comes to installing plaster beading, such as nailing or screwing the beads into place, using wet plaster or glue, or adhesives. Each has its own merits, but scrim tape is a popular choice that provides a simple but effective process. The type of fixing you choose will be a temporary measure until the skim coat is applied, so robustness isn’t necessary. By applying scrim tape along the ‘wing’ of the angle bead, you can then stick the beading into place on the plasterboard.

Make sure you check the plasterboard is properly in place and straight both vertically and horizontally first as any minor adjustments can be made now before you put the angle beads in place. Measure the length of the corner so you can cut the beading to the correct size using tin snips. You can do this by laying the metal corner bead up against the corner and then snip it while it’s in place. If you don’t have tin snips, you can use a hacksaw for this step, but you will need to file off the end afterwards to smooth it out.

Lay out the corner bead and attach half of the scrim tape to each metal wing, pressing it onto the metal along the length. You can then lift the bead up and press it into place on the corner, making sure it lays flat and straight – you can use a long level to ensure the bead hasn’t become bent during the installation process. When you’re happy with the placement, press the scrim tape onto the plasterboard to secure it into position. If another attempt is needed, you can always peel the scrim tape off and start again. There’s no drying time required, so you can skim the wall immediately if need be.

What about nails?

If you’d prefer to secure the angle beads in place with nails, this is just as easy to do but may take a little more finessing. When a nail is driven into the board, it can pull the angle out and it is harder to readjust if nails are used. The best way to correct this is to punch the head of the nail sideways to straighten out the angle or to punch the nail straight through and start again.

Pin the angle bead in place first and adjust before securing it in place, pinning each side at the top, bottom, centre and in between the top-centre and bottom-centre pins. With each nail you hammer in, check the straightness to ensure nothing has moved out of place.

A staple gun can also be used, providing it’s very strong. It should be used all the way down the angle, again making sure that the straightness hasn’t faltered. It’s quicker than nailing the bead in place and can be easier for someone to do alone without assistance. Staples are also easier to remove if you make a mistake, so this can be a good option if you’re new to installing angle beads.

Final thoughts

Angle beads are an easy way to get a professional finish, even if you’ve never attempted to install plasterboard before. It’s an affordable material that can be installed with basic tools, but it will create a huge difference to the overall finish of external corners in a room.

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