Does anyone specify plastic (PVC)trim for gypsum board. I had a presentation by Trim Tex and their products appear to have advantages over metal but I typically spec metal or paper faced metal trim. Any experience out there with plastic trim?
I do in multi-family, particularly in living areas with lots of southerly windows. The thermal expansion in metal trims seems to cause failures, particularly at bullnose corners.
I had traditionally specified metal on commercial work, but never had any good reason to do so except a bias against “plastic.” I can’t defend that position. There are lots of nifty trims in plastic. My favorite is one that drywallers use up against, for example, a window frame. It has a strip that can be “zipped” out after mudding, leaving a very clean, neat edge with no mud on the frame.
One product I investigated but never actually used is an extremely abuse-resistant corner bead. Even in relatively mild levels of traffic, metal corner bead dents too easily. The heavy duty stuff takes a wicked pounding, and avoids using ugly and expensive corner guards. Gordon makes an aluminum one, and there’s a plastic one I can’t remember the name of which may even be better.
Has anyone used No-coat Structural Laminate drywall corners? http://www.no-coat.com/.docs/pg/10250
Curious how they perform compared to metal, flanged corner beads. Pros, cons etc?
I have spec’d them for years, and include them in my office master Gyp Board spec as a suggestion for projects where hard use is anticipated.
Clients are especially happy w/ them in student areas. Apparently it is possible to hit them w/ a baseball bat and do very little or no damage. Several clients want these spec’d for all outside GWB corners in school projects.
I recently had a contractor submit a substitution request saying “vinyl and paper faced trim are the industry standard” and metal trim is obsolete. Curious if ya’all would agree?
In my region (PNW), paper-faced metal such as from USG or Beadex is the prefered for commercial work.
All metal nail-on is popular with home builders. Very rigid. Finishing coats chip off easily from impact. Used throughout my circa 1997 home.
For my 2012 addition, I let the drywall taper use what he favors. He favors the paper-faced metal.
Saying “vinyl and paper faced trim are the industry standard” and metal trim is obsolete is not valid grounds for a substitution. It is to the contractors advantage ($$$) to make the change. If contractors says no $ change, contractor is most likey talking bovine scatology.
Enforce the spec unless it can be demonstrated the substitution is equal or superior, no change in warranty, etc.
I second Waynes observation
Wayne:
Bovine scatology. Brilliant! Made my day and it is still early.