Don't faff with nails and screws, use scrim tape to attach anglebead to plasterboard, it's far easier and quicker!
Don't think you're in the right place? This is Step 4 in a 6 part course covering re-plastering.
Start at Step 1 - How to Remove Plaster From Brick Walls
Watch the video for the main points, read below to get more...
I'm confident you'll get a lot of benefit from everything on this page. However, if you're in a hurry, you can jump straight to...
INTRODUCTION
What is anglebead and what's it for?
Anglebead is a metal strip that wraps around an external corner within a room. It attaches directly to the plasterboard and is used to form a perfect corner. It is fixed to plasterboard prior to skim coating with plaster. If you're still not clear, here's a picture...
Is it difficult to attach corner anglebead to plasterboard?
This all depends on which method you use to attach the anglebead to plasterboard. In my video I cover a number of techniques:
- Screw fix
- Nail fix
- Staples (using a regular household stapler, and a heavy duty stapler)
- Scrim tape
- Hook-on anglebead
- Spray-on glue
I found the screw and nail method to be more difficult. This was due to the fact that whilst holding up the anglebead, you also had to wrestle with a nail/screw and a hammer/drill all at the same time. This is overcome by holding the anglebead in place using your elbow, whilst simultaneously holding a screw/nail with that hand.
Why would I want to do it myself?
The materials are incredibly cheap and it's really easy to do. The good thing about this task is that if it doesn't look right, it's a simple task to take off the beading and try again, with relatively little damage to the plasterboard. If you're unsure, just have a go at putting one beading up. If that goes wrong and you can't get the hang of it, that's OK, ask the plasterer to do it. That said, by following the steps and techniques I give you on this page, I'm sure you'll get the swing of it pretty easily.
If you're getting a professional plasterer to skim coat the boards, then do this yourself to save on his costs. He shouldn't mind this because it's something he can easily inspect, prior to skim coating the plasterboard.
TOOLS FOR THE JOB
What tools will I need?
As a DIYer, you'll be glad to know that there aren't any special or expensive tools you need for this task.
You would need:
-
- Tin snips (or something that will cut through the metal bead)
- Tape measure
- Scissors (to cut the scrim tape)
Materials:
- Anglebead - usually come as a 2.4m length, allow an extra 10% for wastage/offcuts etc.
Helpful Tip
Angle beads should only be used on outer corners, internal corners don't require beading. Instead, scrim tape will do. Click here for my guide on scrim taping inner corners
WAYS OF ATTACHING THE ANGLEBEAD TO PLASTERBOARD
There are a few methods to attach anglebead to plasterboard, such as using nails, screws, staples, adhesive, wet plaster and glue. These all come with their own merits but I favoured one method in particular. I'll jump straight to my favoured method now so you can crack on, but will write about the alternative methods at the bottom of this page, just in case you're interested.
Using scrim tape to attach Anglebead
It's important to understand a little about the type of fixing used to attach anglebead to plasterboard. The reason I say this is because, once the skim coat of plaster has been applied, the beading is firmly fixed in place. Put simply, the type of fixing used is merely a temporary measure, until the skim coat is completed.
With this in mind, the type of fixing doesn't need to be overly secure. It needs only to hold the bead in place temporarily. So I favoured a solution that made the job easy, rather than go for robustness.
I used scrim tape to fasten the angle bead in place. By applying the scrim along each "wing" of the anglebead, there was sufficient enough free scrim tape to stick to the plasterboard.
Check the Plasterboard First
Just a quick check on both the verticals and horizontals. Minor adjustments can be made when it comes to beading and plastering, so now's your chance to check. Use a spirit level to do this.
CUTTING THE ANGLEBEAD TO LENGTH
This is really easy, providing you have a pair of good tin snips.
The first thing you need to to is obviously measure the length. The easiest way to get this right is not with a tape measure, but by laying the metal corner bead up against the corner, and snip them there and then.
If you don't have a pair of tin snips, then a hacksaw will do. Be weary though, this will create burring so try to file off the excess metal with a file or sandpaper.
Helpful Tip
With the longer lengths, have a go at sticking the scrim tape in one piece, it's surprisingly easy.
ATTACHING THE SCRIM TAPE TO ANGLEBEAD
Simply lay out the corner angle bead on the window sill and in one go, attached half the scrim tape to each metal wing. Make sure you press the scrim onto the metal all the way along.
ATTACHING THE BEAD TO THE PLASTERBOARD CORNER
Then, lift up the bead and press it into the corner, ensuring it doesn't get bent and ends up straight. Check it's straightness using a long level.
Once all is good, press the scrim tape onto the plasterboard to lock it into position. It is possible to peel off the scrim if another attempt is required.
Once attached, the anglebead is available for a skim coat immediately. There is no drying time required for the scrim tape to adhere.
Helpful Tip
Lay out the metal angle bead on the window sill when attaching the scrim to the angle bead
That's it, you're done. If you haven't applied the scrim tape to the plasterboard joints, now's the time to do it, click here. Otherwise, you're good to go onto step 5 - How to Skim Coat Plaster onto Plasterboard
This is Step 4 of my 6 part course on re plastering a wall, the next step covers actually skimming the plasterboard, and goes into massive amounts of detail for you. The previous post was all about using Scrim Tape on inner corners.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this page, I appreciate it. If you have a comment or would like to get in touch, fill out the email form below and hit subscribe, I look forward to hearing from you.
Nice tutorial thanks. If I’m dot and dabbing a wall, once done what is the best way of attaching skirting?
Regards Glenn
Hi Glenn,
I’ve always found using no nails does the trick. Just put plenty on in a zig-zag pattern and around the edges.
Great explanation, you’re a great help 🙂
Thanks Ollie, appreciate the feedback
Hi – quick question – how do you butt two plasterboards up to each other at a 45 or 135 degree angle please? Do i trim the edge of the board to be 45/135 degrees? Thanks
Hi Steve, sorry for the delayed reply. You can either lay the board at an angle, which will be difficult to keep it in place without a horizontal edge to rest the bottom onto. Or, cut the 45 degree angle.
how do you butt two pieces of plasterboard together at a 135 or 45 degree angle please? great videos btw!
really helpful, thank you
Hi , we’ve moved onto a house and have decorated it , only problem is that the anglebead on all of the external corners is still visible through the 2 coats of Emulsion we’ve applied. The walls were previously plastered and the anglebead didn’t bleed through that paint, can you suggest anything please ?