Tape and fill external corners

[cwr]

Hi folks

Any advice on best method of doing external plasterboarded  corners with tape/fill/sand?

I've used paper tape before and the results were aesthetically good, but was very susceptible to chipping. 

Is the paper tape with a metal film good, or is there a more robust solution out there (that's not wet plastering)?

Thanks 

[Crofter]

If it's a location that might be susceptible to wear, I'd look at an extruded metal bead.

[Mr Punter]

I have just done a small bit with the metal reinforced paper tape on some boxing.  It was not too bad.  If I was doing it on price we would be hungry!

 

[Russell griffiths]

Plastic beads, the only proper way to get a sharp external corner IMHO

[Crofter]

16 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

Plastic beads, the only proper way to get a sharp external corner IMHO

Why plastic rather than metal?

[Mr Punter]

21 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

Plastic beads, the only proper way to get a sharp external corner IMHO

 

I have only seen them used for external render.  The OP is doing tape and fill plasterboard.

[JohnMo]

3 hours ago, cwr said:

Is the paper tape with a metal film good, or is there a more robust solution out there (that's not wet plastering)?

Metal reinforced tapes are good, nice true and straight corners, and difficult to damage.

[Susie]

6 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Metal reinforced tapes are good, nice true and straight corners, and difficult to damage.

Used these on my plant room, and happy with them to use again, would also consider using them for a vaulted ceiling to wall internal corner on my next room. It’s also dependent on the fill you do, how many fills and how many sands.

[JohnMo]

Corner tapes this is what our taper insisted on for our vaulted ceiling (nearly all of the rooms). Myself and grandson did the hall and it was great to use.

 

https://www.belmoretools.co.uk/levelline-drywall-corner-tape-2-75-in-x-100-ft-roll.html

[Russell griffiths]

1 hour ago, Crofter said:

Why plastic rather than metal?

They don’t dent, they get bashed, the plaster pops off, you can then re fill the damaged area without changing the whole bead. 

[Russell griffiths]

1 hour ago, Mr Punter said:

 

I have only seen them used for external render.  The OP is doing tape and fill plasterboard.

Available in thin coat for internal tape n fill, widely used in America and Australia where they tape n fill far more than us 

they do a massive amount of decorative beads including shadow gap and ones that take led strip. 
we are a bit stuck in 1960. 

[cwr]

4 hours ago, Crofter said:

If it's a location that might be susceptible to wear, I'd look at an extruded metal bead.

Can you get ones for fill and sand? I've seen some at 2 or 3 mm but surely they're for wet plater as would stick out too far? Unless possibly along the tapered edge but I can't always arrange that. 

[Mike]

4 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

I have just done a small bit with the metal reinforced paper tape on some boxing

That's an unusual octagonal access hatch...

[Mr Punter]

13 hours ago, Mike said:

That's an unusual octagonal access hatch...

 

Yes a bit odd.  It is fire and acoustic rated.  Maybe the octagon made it a bit stronger?

[cwr]

This Siniat GTEC stuff looks gd, tho I'm still to find somewhere in NI that sells it, or an equivalen. Any suggestions?

 

Presumably it would be better than the rolls that have two strips of metal, but at at least I can get them online.

[dpmiller]

All our PB was Siniat, and I *think* it came through MacBlair (can't remember 100%, it was supplied under our TF contract...)

[Susie]

On 07/11/2025 at 17:08, cwr said:

This Siniat GTEC stuff looks gd, tho I'm still to find somewhere in NI that sells it, or an equivalen. Any suggestions?

 

Presumably it would be better than the rolls that have two strips of metal, but at at least I can get them online.

I have not used that one.  The ones made up of two strips are good.  By the time you have filled and sanded three times it will be solid. The paper actually ’soaks’ up the fill and that’s part of its bond and strength the metal strips take the knocks more but might have less bond as they can’t soak the fill the same. Looks like it has little perforations which is good.  I know some prefer the paper tapes without the metal because the perforations allow good contact with the fill. If you are doing the filling yourself can you have a go with a sample piece and see which you like the best. It’s also handy to know where you can buy from when you run out, as you say online can be quick as can Wickes who sell Knauf and SF and TS.  PM me if you want a small section of the paper tape with the two metal strips. 

[cwr]

On 07/11/2025 at 17:46, dpmiller said:

All our PB was Siniat, and I *think* it came through MacBlair (can't remember 100%, it was supplied under our TF contract...)

Thanks for the suggestion. I phoned around a few places. Macblair have gypsum products, but just the rolls. Jp Corry do Siniat but also just carry the rolls. 

I did however manage to get something suitable today. It's a plastic unequal angle with paper bonded to it. Apparently hardly anyone buys it now and I was lucky to get it. Just put it on and really pleased with it so fat. Nice and straight, easy to fill around.