Choosing the correct plaster bead for the job is critical to obtaining a high-quality professional finish. However, there are a few things to keep in mind while making your selection from the range on ADA Fastfix.
Interior or Exterior
The first step is to select a bead most appropriate for the proposed location and conditions. Galvanised steel, stainless steel, and PVCu are three options with varied characteristics, allowing use in different environments or purposes.
Galvanised steel beads are perfect for internal plasterwork. The zinc covering protects the steel from corrosion, but the material is not suitable for outdoor applications.
Stainless steel plaster bead has natural corrosion resistance, making it a suitable material for outdoor use. Stainless steel plaster bead is also appliable in any indoor location where you expect higher levels of moisture.
The most challenging environmental conditions may require PP (polypropylene) or PVCu (polyvinylchloride unplasticised) beads. PVCu plaster bead has the same characteristics as stainless steel. The material is resilient to physical damage and chemical assault, unaffected by moisture, salt, or weathering. Therefore, it is highly suitable for harsh environments.
Special Applications
Professionals can utilise beads designed and manufactured to overcome challenging environments, complex uses, create unique effects, or obtain the best possible quality finish. These are some examples:
- Renderstop bead – The gradient at the bottom of the render is to be smooth, with a 120° angle. This bead is used over doors, windows and DPC levels to allow rainwater to drain away from the underlying substrate and preserve masonry from run-off water that might stain it.
- Plaster stop bead – Eaves, cornices, and other outside wall surfaces or ceiling finishes can be more attractive with clean, neat edge transitions.
- Depth gauge bead – This technique allows you to ensure consistent, minimum plaster depths while simultaneously ruling off the necessary thickness.
- Architrave bead – It may be used to produce a beautiful shadow gap effect around doors and skirting boards, as well as to create a clean division between various wall surfaces.
- Movement beads – The addition of a sand layer to the bottom half of the concrete allows for limited movement across adjacent surfaces when there is differential expansion in the underlying substrate or structure. This material prevents the surface finish from cracking and ensures a long-lasting, high-quality result.
- Twin nose angle bead – The bottom paint finish is a two-coat system for two-layer renders. The first nose serves as a scratch coat gauge, while the second offers depth guidance for the final layer.
- Arch beads – In thin coat and dry lining applications, it bends to form curves and arch forms for decorative plaster demands.
Quality
When buying plasterboard, remember not all goods are made to the same standard of excellence. As a result, not all plasterboards will last the same amount of time. The quality of the product influences the crispness and neatness of the finish produced with plaster or render.
A thicker, more rigid bead will aid in a precise finish that can only be obtained with a true straight edge for metal products. A higher-quality, more durable bead will require less waste and be quicker to install since damaged goods will not need to be thrown away. As a result, experts should choose a product constructed of a thicker gauge of steel.
