Abstract: Articles are disclosed for preparing a uniform thickness bed of mortar or ‘mud’ on a wall to receive a facing material. The article includes a first edge oriented lengthwise along the stock for contact against the surface of a first wall to be faced, and a second edge parallel and spaced apart from the first edge by a predetermined distance, the second edge providing a screed against which a tool may be drawn to smooth a cement layer on the first wall having a thickness substantially equal to the predetermined distance. Different embodiments of the invention are applicable to different construction situations, including flat walls, outside corners, inside corners, above doorways and other openings. In one embodiment, a corner bead is used to create a finished edge with tile or stone on one side of a corner, with a drywall mud finish on the other side of the corner.