The Ultimate Guide to Drywall Window Returns

Traditionally, in most single-family homes, windows can be big or small, square or round, but all usually share the same thing: a casing with trim, typically made out of wood. But in modern architecture and interior design, clunky trim is something to be avoided whenever possible. Instead, you can go the trimless route, with clean and cost-saving drywall window returns.

Armed with the right beads, tools and accessories, these drywall window returns aren’t just a great-looking, long-lasting alternative to trim; they can also cost less and be pretty easy to achieve. Rather than using a series of multiple corner beads and Tear Away beads on either end of each return, you can finish an entire window with just a few extra-wide L Beads. 

How? Read on to find out!

Preparing your window

To create drywall window returns, with or without an optional wood sill, first you’ll need to hang your drywall around the window: the drywall should be hung nice and tight against the window to eliminate the need for a Tear Away L Bead or other added materials between the two surfaces. (You’ll add a small dab of caulk to this intersection later.)

The tradeoff for the minimalistic, clean look of a trimless window is that there’s less room for error — bulky wood trim can hide a lot of imperfections. So before moving on to installing your beads, take extra time to straighten out any jagged, uneven edges with a drywall rasp.

Selecting and preparing your beads

Trim-Tex offers a selection of L Beads with extra-large return legs made of solid, rigid vinyl. Vinyl materials are key here because, in addition to being highly durable, they will protect the drywall from condensation without rusting or corroding. 

Each of these return legs can cover the entire surface of a drywall window return, creating a flawless finish that looks great for the long haul — and making this entire process fast and easy.

Which extra-wide L Beads you choose for your window is entirely dependent on the size of your drywall return. And, since each of these beads features at least one pre-scored tear-off strip, they arrive out of the box with the ability to easily accommodate a wide range of sizes.

• Oversized L Bead is the smallest of these options, and its prescored lines allow it to fit two sizes in one (2 11⁄16" & 2 1⁄8”).
• Super L Bead has a supersized return leg that’s 3 1⁄8", with pre-scored lines at 2 5⁄8", 2 1⁄8" and 1 5⁄8". Its archway version allows you to finish arched window returns as well.
• Giant L Bead is the largest vinyl L Bead on the market, with a  5 5⁄8" return leg, pre-scored at 4 13⁄16", 4 5⁄16" and 3 13⁄16". This bead also has an archway version.

To trim your L Bead down to the right width for your return, you may need to re-score with a utility knife, then simply bend the bead and peel to the desired width. (For the window returns pictured throughout this story, we used a Giant L Bead, cut to a custom width to match the uncommon size of the returns in the Trim-Tex HQ lab.)

How to install Oversized, Super & Giant L Beads

Installation of Trim-Tex’s extra-wide L Beads is quite simple, but make sure you follow each of these steps or risk the bead delaminating over time.

First, measure, cut and dry fit your bead to the window return before proceeding. To cut, we use a utility knife along the solid vinyl return leg, and a pair of snips on the perforated mud leg. Make sure you leave ¹⁄₁₆” clearance on the return.

Then, unlike most of Trim-Tex’s beads and accessories, you will need to apply 2-3 beads of adhesive caulk to the underside of the return leg. (Note: do not use construction or stud adhesive.) Apply to the drywall and press into place, applying pressure evenly along the return leg. Apply ½” staples to the mud leg every 6-8”.

Now you’re ready to apply joint compound to the beads’ mud legs — but the solid vinyl return legs are already paint-ready! Once your mud has dried and sanded, all you need to do before painting is to apply a bead of caulk to seal off all intersections between the beads, as well as between the beads and the window. Wipe the caulk evenly using a paper towel or your finger, and that’s all there is to it — you’ve got a drywall window return that looks clean and modern, and will look great for years to come.

For more window ideas, you can find our ultimate guide to using Tear Away L Bead against windows here, or for a more decorative approach, creating a stunning reveal effect around windows using our Architectural Z Shadow Bead here. For more ideas on what you can do with little more than drywall and a few beads, get a look at Trim-Tex’s full catalog, which is loaded with inspiration — hit the button below to get started.