Sheetrock Edging

Inside and Outside

• You have two types of sheet rock joints you will need to edge; inside and outside joints. Inside joints are tucked away in a corner and do not stick out. Outside corners meet at a point and need special protection to prevent chipping of the delicate sheet rock. The edging, in both cases, requires the use of joint compound.

Joint Compound

• Joint compound is a binding material available from all large hardware stores. You can find it premixed in a bucket or as a powder you mix yourself. Use the premixed to keep things simple. The first layer of joint compound you use when attaching the edging is slightly watered down. The second layer of compound you use is thicker and is used to cover up the joint.

Inside Joint Install

• Use paper joint tape, available from all hardware stores, for inside corners. Cut the tape to the length of the joint. Bend the joint tape down the middle so that it becomes a 90 degree angle. Apply a bit of watered down joint compound (the consistency of thick pancake batter) to the corner and press the tape down onto it, working from top to bottom. Apply regular joint compound to the top of the tape with a large putty knife, keeping the joint compound as smooth as possible and covering the tape. Sand down the compound once it dries (24 to 48 hours) and apply again if necessary.

Outside Corner Install

• Outside corners require metal edging to prevent chipping of the Sheetrock. Cut the metal edging to the size of the corner joint. Apply a bead of watered down caulk down the joint and press the metal edging onto the wall. Hammer a drywall nail into the edging every 12 inches to secure it. Apply joint compound to the edging using a large putty knife using the process used for the inside corner. Again, sand and reapply if necessary after allowing the joint compound to dry 24 to 48 hours.