A Guide to Angle Beads

Angle beads play several key roles in external render systems, used for several purposes such as helping to create a professional, finished aesthetic and protecting the render from any potential damage like cracking and staining. Here at Greengate's, the local builder's merchant, we have a comprehensive collection of angle beads in stock, brought to you at the most competitive price point with no compromise on quality.

In this edition of Greengate's blog, we'll be looking in more detail at the different types of angle beads.

Bellcast Beads

Bellcast beads, more commonly known as drip beads, are used to create an angled lip above apertures and windows or at the base of rendered walls. This type of bead allows water to drip away from rendering instead of running along its surface, thus protecting the render from water damage.

Angle Beads

Also variously referred to as quoin beads or corner beads, angle beads are used on the returns and corners of external rendered elevations. Angle beads add vital reinforcement to render systems, reducing impact damages and ensuring that render edges stay sharp. Manual, on-site forming of corners is no longer necessary thanks to angle beads, which also provide a reliable depth guide during the application of render. The noses of angle beads deliver a straight, clean line in the render finish, providing an attractive aesthetic.

Stop Beads

Providing an aesthetically-pleasing, square finished edge in external render applications, stop beads are especially versatile and can be used up against claddings, copings, soffits, building fabrics and door/window frames. Stop beads are often used to create highly-decorative feature panels within render. The application of a silicone sealant along the back edge of a stop bead helps to prevent water ingress.

Expansion Bead

Usually referred to as movement joints or movement beads, this type helps to reduce the potential for cracking in large areas of the rendered surface. They are also used to reduce cracking risk where different building substrates meet. Expansion beads help to absorb differential movements at the junction between different building materials.

Check out Greengate's website to discover our complete collection of angle beads and do not hesitate to contact our expert technical team if you require any further information or advice.