How to Install Drywall Corners, Corner Beads and Rounded Corner Beads

Inside Corners

• 1

  Measure from the ceiling to 1 inch above the floor, and cut an inside drywall corner to match using a utility knife. Inside drywall corner comes in flat rolls with a preformed centerline that runs down the length of the plain, metal-backed or vinyl-coated paper.

• 2

  Bend the cut section of drywall corner at a right angle along the preformed line.

• 3

  Apply joint compound to the inside wall corner with a 6-inch taping knife before pulling a drywall corner tool from the top of the corner to the bottom to smooth the compound into a crisp corner shape.

• 4

  Fit the cut corner section into the wall corner while the compound is wet, pressing and moving it with your fingers into place.

• 5

  Add more joint compound with the 6-inch knife to lightly coat the inside section of the paper corner, and use the corner tool as before to form a crisp inside corner.

• 6

  Remove excess compound from the walls with the taping knife, and then let the compound dry completely before sanding away rough spots with a drywall sander.

• 7

  Add at least two more thin coats of compound in the same manner as before, letting each one dry completely and sanding before the next coat.

Outside Corners

• 8

  Measure and cut a section of outside corner bead to fit over the rough edges where two drywall panels meet.

• 9

  Fit the corner bead over the edges of the drywall, and affix the corner bead with nails, screws or spray corner bead adhesive, depending upon the type of corner bead you’re installing.

• 10

  Apply joint compound over the bead, and press lightly to encourage the compound to enter the holes in the bead, which gives it “grab” power.

• 11

  Cover both sides of the corner bead evenly with compound, and smooth away the excess with the taping knife. Let it dry, sand it and add at least two more coats of compound in the same manner as you would for inside corners.

Rounded Corners

• 12

  Trim the corner where the drywall panels meet. Rounded corner bead will not fit over a square corner, so you will have to shave off the tip of the corner with a utility knife. Shave off each corner at a 45-degree angle.

• 13

  Position the rounded (or bullnose) corner bead over the trimmed drywall corner, and attach it with spray adhesive or nails, as called for by the bead manufacturer.

• 14

  Apply the joint compound in the same manner as for a square corner, using multiple, thin coats of compound and sanding between coats.