Shop plaster beads and plaster reinforcement mesh for creating clean corners, defined edges and durable plaster or render finishes. Our range includes galvanised steel and uPVC angle, thin coat, stop and bell cast beads, plus Expamet EXMETG mesh for reinforcing plaster over chases and changes in background material.
Plaster Beads and Mesh for Clean, Durable Finishes
Plaster beads help create straight corners, controlled edges and consistent finishing depths across plastering and rendering work. The correct profile also protects vulnerable plaster edges and gives the plasterer a defined line to work to.
Wade stocks a range of galvanised steel and uPVC plaster beads for different applications, including angle beads, thin coat beads, stop beads, bell cast beads and hook-on profiles. The collection also includes galvanised plaster reinforcement mesh for areas where additional crack control is required.
Angle and Thin Coat Beads
Used to form clean, straight corners and protect finished plaster edges. Thin coat profiles are designed around shallower plaster or skim finishes.
Check: plaster depth, bead length and the intended substrate before ordering.
Stop Beads
Provide a defined termination where plaster or render needs to finish neatly, including around openings, junctions and changes in finish.
Check: required plaster or render depth and whether the profile is suitable for the intended exposure.
Bell Cast Beads
Used to create a defined lower edge to rendered areas. Different profiles are available to suit different render depths and applications.
Check: render depth and the manufacturer's installation requirements for the selected profile.
Plaster Reinforcement Mesh
Expanded metal mesh can reinforce plaster across vulnerable areas such as chases and junctions between different background materials.
Suitable for: localised plaster reinforcement and crack-control applications.
Galvanised Steel or uPVC Plaster Beads?
Both galvanised steel and uPVC profiles are used within plastering systems, but the correct choice depends on the application rather than material alone.
Galvanised steel thin coat and hook-on beads provide rigid corner profiles for internal plastering and plasterboard applications. Products such as the Wade 553 Thin Coat Angle Bead are designed to form and protect straight corners, while hook-on plasterboard angle beads provide a mechanical fixing option for suitable plasterboard corners.
uPVC plaster beads are available in several profiles for skim-coat, plaster and render applications. Depending on the product, these include angle, stop and bell cast profiles. Always match the bead to the required plaster or render depth and check whether the selected profile is intended for internal or external use.
Plaster Reinforcement Mesh for Chases and Mixed Backgrounds
Expamet EXMETG Galvanised Plaster Reinforcement Mesh is different from structural or masonry reinforcement mesh. It is an expanded metal mesh designed to reinforce plaster over chases and where different background materials meet, helping to control cracking in these vulnerable areas.
Wade supplies EXMETG in flexible 20m coils, making it easier to cut and position only where reinforcement is required. Available widths include 65mm, 115mm and 175mm. Expamet specifies that the mesh should be fixed so the plaster can fully surround the strands and should not be installed over movement joints.
Choosing the Right Plaster Bead
The bead profile should be selected according to the finish being created, the substrate and the required plaster or render depth. Product dimensions can look similar while being intended for quite different applications, so check the individual specification before ordering.
Common plaster bead and mesh applications
Product type
Typical purpose
Check before ordering
Angle / thin coat bead
Forming and protecting plastered corners
Plaster depth, wing size and length
Hook-on angle bead
Creating corners on suitable plasterboard applications
Board compatibility and bead length
Stop bead
Creating a clean termination to plaster or render
Finish depth and internal or external suitability
Bell cast bead
Forming a defined lower edge to rendered areas
Render depth and installation position
Plaster reinforcement mesh
Reinforcing plaster over chases and mixed backgrounds
Mesh width, fixing method and background construction
Ordering Plaster Beads and Mesh
Product availability varies across the range, so check the individual product page for current availability and options. If you are ordering beads or reinforcement mesh in larger quantities, Wade can also help confirm the most suitable product and quantities for your project.
