Learn how to install corner bead to make a smooth drywall corner. Also, sharing the drywall edge trim or metal corner bead options that you can use!
Learning as we go...
There's been so many projects here over the last 10 years that we've been able to pick up some tips and tricks along the way. I'll be the first to admit that any type of job with sheetrock is not my favorite. It's honestly super messy and because of dry times, it just takes days to complete. That being said, there's nothing better than seeing a sheetrock hole fixed or even seeing it up after looking at wall studs for a quite some time.
With all of that being said, we aren't professionals... just DIYers that are willing to try and share along the way. If you have a small sheetrock job to do and need some guidance, here we go! If you have a large job, check out this post on the cost of drywall installation and finishing. We hired it out for our large basement and that was definitely the way to go down there!
Needing to drywall outside corners?
This tutorial, for drywalling a corner, is about how to do sheetrock corners on the outside. If you are wanting to know how to drywall an inside corner, use this tutorial.
Let's get started!
Corner Bead Installation
Supplies needed to install drywall corner beads
- Wallboard joint compound*
- Corner beads (either metal corner or a paper corner bead)
- Nails, Screws or staples*
*We chose to buy the premixed buckets but you can mix your joint compound yourself and save money if you’d like to go that route.
*Depending on what type of drywall corners you buy (a metal corner or a paper drywall corner), you can use nails, screws or staples to hold it in place. Nails are most common for the metal corner bead and staples seem to be the most common for the paper drywall edge trim.
Tools needed to install corner bead for drywall
- Sanding pad
- Snips for cutting
- Mud pan
- Taping knifes (we used a 12″ and a 8″)
- Hammer, drill or staple gun depending on how you plan to attach the corner beading
How To Install Corner Bead Drywall
- Cut sheetrock corner bead to wall size..
- Using
a taping knife, apply a light coat of joint compound to drywall corner seam.
- Place Drywall Corner Bead directly over joint compound. Push lightly to set in.
- Attach drywall metal corner with nails or use staples to attach paper drywall corner bead.
- Using a taping knife, smear joint compound over the paper or metal and fan out on wall.
- Let dry.
- Sand joint compound.
- Repeat the process of smoothing the joint compound over the sheetrock corners, sanding, etc., until you have a smooth sheetrock corner.
Let me show you some of the steps in photos to help explain more!
Prepping for drywall corner tape (also called corner bead)
This photo shows small application of joint compound over the existing sheetrock.
Smoothing and feathering joint compound on wall
Using a taping knife, feather the joint compound out so you don't have a ton of build-up.
Cornerbead drywall piece
Seamless corner bead drywall wall
The key to this project is just taking your time and allowing for dry times. Each time you sand, you'll have a mess to clean-up but each step of the process isn't a lot of time investment.
We ended up tiling our kitchen walls but since this outside corner is still visible, I'm happy we took our time with it!
Here's a peek at our kitchen if you haven't seen it. It took us many years to get to where we are today, and I have to say, I'm proud of all the knowledge we gained.
Yield: 1
Drywall Corner Bead Install
Learn how to install corner bead to make a smooth drywall corner. Also, sharing the drywall edge trim or metal corner bead options that you can use!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Active Time
30 minutes
Total Time
3 days
Total Time
3 days
40 minutes
Difficulty
Moderate
Materials
-
Wallboard joint compound*
-
Corner beads (either metal corner or a paper corner bead)
-
Nails, Screws or staples*
-
-
*We chose to buy the premixed buckets but you can mix your joint compound yourself and save money if you’d like to go that route.
-
-
*Depending on what type of drywall corners you buy (a metal corner or a paper drywall corner), you can use nails, screws or staples to hold it in place. Nails are most common for the metal corner bead and staples seem to be the most common for the paper drywall edge trim.
Tools
-
Sanding pad
-
Snips for cutting
-
Mud pan
-
Taping knifes (we used a 12″ and a 8″)
-
Hammer, drill or staple gun depending on how you plan to attach the corner beading
Instructions
- Cut sheetrock corner bead to wall size..
- Using a taping knife, apply a light coat of joint compound to drywall corner seam.
- Place drywall corner bead directly over joint compound. Push lightly to set in.
- Attach drywall metal corner with nails or use staples to attach paper drywall corner bead.
- Using a taping knife, smear joint compound over the paper or metal and fan out on wall.
- Let dry.
- Sand joint compound.
- Repeat the process of smoothing the joint compound over the sheetrock corners, sanding, etc., until you have a smooth sheetrock corner.