How To Install Diamond Plate Sheets on a Wall

If you want to add style to a room using a durable material, use diamond plate. You can use cosmetic diamond plate for an eye-catching industrial accent in any space. It’s easy to install, and once it’s up on your walls, you’ll enjoy your updated design for as long as you like.

Transform any room from ordinary to amazing. Complete this simple DIY project with our instructions on how to install diamond plate sheets on a wall.

1. Unpack and Prepare the Sheets

Our cosmetic diamond plate is made with an aluminum alloy hammered to .025” thickness. Thicker cuts make the material rigid. At .025”, you’ll have an easy time applying these lightweight sheets in your home or commercial space as a backsplash, wainscoting, or for full wall coverage.

One side of our cosmetic diamond plate is covered with a protective PVC film that you’ll at the end of the installation. Thanks to this film, you can work with your diamond plate without smudging it.

We ship cosmetic plate three sheets to a box, rolled up. This keeps shipment costs low, saving you money, and it doesn’t damage the material at all.

When you receive your order, follow these simple steps to prepare your diamond plate:

1. Remove the diamond plate from the box and gently unroll it.
2. Lay the diamond plate out on a flat surface with the side covered in the PVC film face-down. Don’t remove the film.
3. Flatten the sheets by gently curving them in the opposite direction of their box memory curl.
4. Finally, lay your sheet flat until you’re reading to mount it.

2. Prepare the Wall Surface

Prepping the wall is a key step for smooth application. Clean and dry the surface you want to install the diamond plate on. If you’re installing over-exposed drywall, you should dust the wall but not use water or other cleaners because of how porous this surface is.

Otherwise, you can dampen, not soak, a cellulose sponge with water. Swipe the damp sponge over the wall, working top to bottom. Dampen the sponge every time it gets dry until you’ve completely cleaned the wall. Dry the wall with a soft rag or microfiber cloth.

3. Check the Fit and Make Cuts

Next, measure the space you want to cover and check the fit of the diamond plate. If you plan to install trim, keep the dimensions of the trim in mind.

If you need to cut or trim your diamond plate, you can make marks on the protective PVC cover with a marker or pencil. This way, you won’t mark the diamond plate directly.

You can use aviator snips, also called tin snips, to cut this material effortlessly. Make sure your marks are accurate before making any cuts. Wear safety gloves to protect your hand from sharp edges. Once finished cutting, use a metal file to clean up the cut edge.

4. Apply Tape to the Wall

An easy way to install diamond plate sheets on a wall is to use heavy-duty, double-sided construction tape. This adhesive has a high bonding strength, perfect for holding up your diamond plate.

One side of the tape has a paper backing that makes it easier for you to use the tape without it sticking to your hands. You can also use screws or rivets to attach the diamond plate to the wall, but the double-sided tape has the benefit of spreading the load across a greater surface area.

You will apply the tape in three long horizontal lines and two vertical lines. One horizontal line will be at the top of where you want the diamond plate to rest, one line in the middle, and one line at the bottom. Apply a vertical line of tape at both ends of where the edges of the diamond plate will lie.

To apply the tape:

• Lift the loose end of the tape from the roll, then apply the sticky side of the tape to the wall. You don’t want any tape to be visible, so be sure to place the tape so that it will be covered by the diamond plate.
• Leave the paper backing attached to the tape. Holding onto the roll, release the tape a little bit at a time and apply it in a straight line across the wall.
• When you’ve reached the end of the area you want to cover, cut the tape with a utility knife.
• Leave the paper backing on the tape. For now, you don’t want the wall to be sticky.
• Repeat this process to create the other lines of tape.

Once finished, you should have a total of five lines of tape: three horizontal, parallel lines, and two vertical lines, one at either end of the horizontal lines.

5. Install the Diamond Plate

When you’re ready to apply your diamond plate, take the paper backing off the tape on the walls. You should only leave the paper on the top line of tape.

Line up the diamond plate sheet with where you want to install it. Lean the bottom edge of the sheet away from the wall and bring the top edge towards the wall to avoid prematurely sticking the sheet to the adhesive.

After you’ve lined up the sheet correctly, press it onto the wall. You can press the center of the diamond plate sheet against the wall for an initial stick. Then press the vertical edges and bottom edge of the diamond plate against the wall, so it sticks to the tape.

Once the sheet is smoothed out over the wall, return to the top line of tape. Remove the paper backing from this tape, then press the top of the diamond plate against the tape to adhere it to the wall.

Finally, you can peel off the protective PVC film to reveal your new, shiny surface. Complete your project with accessories like matching diamond plate corner guards, connecting pieces, outlet covers, switch plates, and trim.

CutsMetal has beautiful, durable aluminum diamond plate sheets for sale. Look through our customer gallery of photos to get inspiration for your next project. Wherever you decide to apply diamond plate, get your supply from CutsMetal.