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Exploring Common Types of Drywall Corners

Installing corner beads and treatments on drywall provides vital reinforcement and protection for vulnerable corners. With the many options available, it's important to understand the types of drywall corners to choose the right solution for each application.

We'll compare the features, benefits, and ideal use cases for each type. Whether you're a pro taper or a weekend warrior, this guide will help you select the perfect corners for your next drywall project.

Bullnose Corners

Bullnose corners create a smooth, rounded edge rather than a sharp 90-degree angle. The curved surface resists damage from impacts, providing lasting durability. Bullnose corners also create an attractive aesthetic for accent walls or decorative trim finishing.

types of drywall corners

Key Features and Benefits

Ideal Use Cases

Bullnose corners excel for:

Available Styles and Dimensions

Bullnose corners come in a variety of styles and dimensions. The most common options include:

Pro tip: Pay attention to corner angle and width when selecting bullnose products to ensure optimal fit.

Corner Beads

Corner beads consist of a paper- or plastic-faced strip with perforated flanges positioned over each side of an outside drywall corner. The corner bead creates a clean, straight edge and prevents cracks or damage to the vulnerable corner.

Benefits of Corner Beads

Installing corner beads delivers the following advantages:

Types of Corner Beads

Several varieties of corner beads exist, including:

Tips for Installing

Follow these best practices when installing corner beads:

Flex Trim Corners

Flex trim consists of thin, flexible plastic strips that adapt to inside and outside corners. The flexible vinyl material also serves well for curved surfaces that rigid corner bead can't accommodate.

Benefits of Flex Trim

Flex trim corners deliver key advantages including:

Ideal Applications

Use flex trim corners for:

Installation Tips

Succeed with flex trim corners using these helpful hints:

Tear-away Bead Corners

Tear-away bead corners utilize a corner bead strip with removable strips covering each flange. After taping and finishing, the strips tear off to leave an exceptionally crisp corner edge.

Ideal Use Cases

Tear-away beads excel for:

Installation Process

Installing tear-away involves a simple 5-step process:

  1. Mount tear-away beads on corners
  2. Tape corner joints as usual
  3. Apply corner finish compound over strips
  4. Let compound fully dry and harden
  5. Pull removable strips outward from each side

The tear-away action leaves a perfectly straight, clean corner ready for painting. Use a utility knife to score along the edges initially if strips don't pull off easily.

No-Coat Ultra Corner

No-coat ultra corners utilize a patented clinically tested anti-microbial vinyl trim with a foam backer rod. The innovative design installs without the time-consuming process of applying and sanding joint compound.

Features and Benefits

No-coat corners deliver exceptional advantages:

Installation Tips

Follow these guidelines for flawless no-coat corners:

It's that simple! Enjoy perfectly finished corners with no compound mess or sanding needed.

Metal Corner Beads

Metal corner beads consist of galvanized steel, aluminum, or zinc flanges wired or welded together at 90-degree angles. Metal beads deliver heavy-duty reinforcement well-suited for commercial builds.

Comparison to Plastic Beads

While more expensive than plastic options, metal corner beads offer strengths including:

Application Tips

Succeed with metal corner beads using these pro pointers:

Flexible Corner Guards

Flexible corner guards provide thin vinyl or rubber protection against wall damage from impacts. They adhere directly to corners with pressure-sensitive tape or adhesive.

Benefits of Corner Guards

Flexible guards offer key perks like:

Ideal Applications

Typical applications for flexible corner guards include:

Drywall Terminator Corners

As the name implies, terminator corners "terminate" drywall edges for a seamless appearance. These embedded corner beads trap the gypsum core securely within a tear-resistant vinyl trim.

How They Work

Terminator corners involve a unique 3-layer construction:

  1. Outer vinyl corner guard
  2. Foam spacer
  3. Inner corner bead

Together, these components deliver reinforced durability and clean, uniform corner edges.

Installation Process

Install terminators using these simple steps:

  1. Slide onto drywall before mounting sheets
  2. Fold beads inward
  3. Secure corner edge into place
  4. Finish corner as usual with tape and mud

Terminators produce expert finishes every time with no torn paper or damaged edges.

Rubber Corner Guards

Rubber corner guards offer heavy-duty protection against wall damage from carts, beds, cleaning equipment, and other impacts.

Benefits of Rubber Guards

Rubber corner guards provide exceptional advantages:

Ideal Applications Include:

Pro tip: Select colors to either blend in or create a visible safety zone in dangerous areas.

Outside Drywall Corners

An outside drywall corner forms where two drywall sheets meet at an external 90-degree angle. Leaving them exposed risks cracks, damage, and unsightly edges.

Finishing Options

Common techniques for finishing outside corners include:

Installation Process

Follow these best practices when hand-taping outside corners:

  1. Fold paper seam outward
  2. Pre-fill gap if needed with setting compound
  3. Embed paper tape into first coat
  4. Apply second coat fully covering tape
  5. Feather out final coat approximately 12" wide

Take care to maintain a straight, consistent corner line for best results.

With the many types of drywall corners available, it's essential to match the right product to each application. Factors like budget, durability needs, corner function, and aesthetics help determine the ideal selections.

Arm yourself with knowledge on all the various options before starting your next drywall project. Understanding different corner types equips you to achieve success mastering this vital -- and often frustrating -- detail.

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