Attaching diamond plate to drywall

[JeffH]

Hello
I am looking to finally finish my garage walls. They are still just taped and spackled as left by the builder. Walls are 12' high total, the first 2' is the poured concrete foundation.
I want to cover the first 5' of drywall with 5' x 10' diamond plate. So it will be 2' foundation, 5' diamond plate, 5' painted drywall.

The questions I have are;
1) the supplier has both 16 gauge and 1/8" 3003H22 available, is 16 gauge thick enough for wall covering?
2) is there any reason to first paint the drywall area that will be covered over?
3) what is the preferred method to attach it, stainless screws, adhesive, two side tape?
4) would the 16 gauge bend in an aluminum side brake or is it too thick?

Thanks

 

[72Anthony]

The 16 gauge should be plenty thick for keeping the drywall from scuffs and dents. This should save you a bit of money.

I would use stainless steel screws making sure you hit the studs.

Regards,
Anthony

 

[Wingnut65]

Agreed. 16 Ga would be fine.

And under the stainless steel screws, use s.s. finish washers for the finished look.

No real need to paint behind the diamond plate. Especially if you run a bead of caulk across the top to seal behind it.

Good luck with your project.

 

[Full Size 66]

I would use PVA primer to seal it all up before you hang the plate.

 

[JeffH]

Yes the 16 gauge is almost half the price of the 1/8" .

I think the no screw look would be nice but the screws would be more practical if one got damaged and needed to be replaced.

 

[NUTTSGT]

When I put up diamond plate behind my bench (as back splash) I used some sheetmetal screws in to the OSB. Since you have drywall, I would put screws every 16" hitting the wall studs with some sheetmetal screws.

BTW, I used some self-tapping screws.

 

[Homewrecker]

You could also go with the 1x1 or 2x2 Diamond Plate 'Tiles' and use construction or tile adhesive to hold them in place.

 

[911mike]

I have install lots of this. Use FRP panel adhesive that you can pick up at HD or Lowes in 5 gallon containers. You need to prime the wall first and allow 48 hours to dry before installing. I have used aluminum "H" channels for the **** seams and "J" channels for the top, bottom and corners to give it a more finished look. Outwater Plastics carriers a bunch of options.

The adhesive will make the wall much stronger than just screws. Another big problem with screws is you low spots from over tightening and they look like **** as the light shines on them.

Find a large roller that they use for installing flooring. Make sure you the roll the entire panel to smooth out the adhesive and this makes better contact between the wall and the diamond plate.