DIY AMK Wall Cladding Guide

Featuring Alik the AMK professional installer and his cat Valik.

amk team

Why Choose AMK for Your DIY Project?

Ease of AMK installation

Ease of Installation

AMK cladding is designed for straightforward installation, perfect for DIY enthusiasts.

AMK is a lighweight cladding material

Lightweight and Easy to Handle

At only 1.9 kg per m², AMK is easy to transport and install.

aestethic appeal of amk cladding

Professional Finish

Achieve a high-quality look with minimal effort.

Tools and materials needed

Alik and Valik's Recommended Tools

taping knife for AMK installation

Joint Knife

Blade width 10-15 cm

Notched Trowel

Notch size 6x6 mm

Measuring tape

Utility knife

Priming tools

Wall priming tools

Prepare tile glue in plastic bucket using mixer

Mixing tools

To prepare tile glue

Leveling tools

Leveling tools

Marking with masonry string line is more convenient while working outside

Masonry string line

For marking walls outdoors

Filling seams with rubber grout float is more effciint and economic

Foam grout float

Materials

AMK Delivers beauty

AMK Decorative Covering

Tile adhesive

Protective gears

deep penetrating primer

Deep penetrating primer

Step-by-Step Installation Instructions with Alik and Valik

Prepare the surface

Correctly preparing the surface before installing AMK is crucial for several reasons:

Adhesion: A clean, dry, and smooth surface ensures the adhesive bonds properly with the substrate, providing a secure attachment for the AMK sheets.
Durability: Proper surface preparation prevents issues like peeling, cracking, or detachment over time, ensuring the longevity of the installation.
Aesthetic Quality: A well-prepared surface ensures an even and professional finish, preventing visible imperfections and ensuring that the decorative elements of AMK look their best.
Efficiency: Proper preparation reduces the likelihood of installation errors and rework, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

Fix wall cracks before installation of AMK

Repair the walls

Fill the cracks and holes using wall putty

Clean walls to get flat and even surface

Clean the surface

Make sure the surface is flat and even

Prime the wall

Use acrylic based deep penetrating primer

Plan the layout of AMK sheets

Precise seam alignmnet is easy with AMK
Planning the layout of AMK sheets is essential for a smooth and aesthetically pleasing installation.

Measure the Wall Area: Measure the height and width of the wall. Calculate the total area by subtracting the combined area of windows and doors from the overall area in square meters to determine the number of AMK sheets required (each sheet covers 0.9 m²).
Determine AMK Sheet Placement: Plan for horizontal and vertical alignment of the AMK sheets. Identify where sheets will need to be cut to fit around windows, doors, and edges. Dry fit the sheets on the wall before applying adhesive.
Mark Reference Lines: Use a masonry string line or laser level to mark horizontal and vertical reference lines on the wall. These lines will guide the placement of the sheets to ensure they are level and aligned.

AMK is super handy because you can start installing it anywhere on the wall, but we suggest starting from the edge.

Choose starting point

You can start laying AMK from the bottom, top, or middle of the wall.

Trimming mesh from AMK

Trim excess parts

Trim away any parts of the material that extend beyond the edges of the installation wall.

AMK sheets overlapping

Keep AMK sheets overlap

Ensure that each AMK sheet overlaps the mesh of the previous one for a secure bond.

Prepare the adhesive

Attention please
For the perfect results use the right glue.

We strongly recommend using only the recommended tile adhesive that meets the following specifications:
  • White color
  • Adhesion strength more than 0.5 N/mm² (С1 or C2)
  • Suitable for natural stones/marble
  • Suitable for vertical applications
  • Suitable for outside if used for facades

  • useful tips
    Useful tips.

  • Around 3.12 kg of glue is needed to install 1 AMK sheet
  • Use the maximum permissible proportion of water indicated in the instructions provided by the glue manufacturer
  • Tile glue preparation

    Mix glue with water

    Follow the instructions provided by the glue manufacturer on the packaging.

    Tile glue mixing

    Blend it up

    Stir the compound thoroughly until it becomes a homogeneous substance.

    Tile glue consistency

    Get the right consistency

    The adhesive consistency should be soft but not slip off the joint knife.

    Apply adhesive to the wall

    Caution.


    Get everything ready for the installation ahead of time before you apply the adhesive to the wall. Once the glue is applied, make sure to stick the AMK sheet on right away. If you wait too long, especially when it’s sunny or windy, the adhesive might get weathered and lose its strength.

    glue application to the wall

    Start with flat trowel

    First, spread a thin layer of adhesive on the wall with a flat trowel that will cover 1 sheet of AMK at a time.

    glue spreading with notched trowel

    Use a Notched Trowel

    Use a notched trowel (6 mm teeth) to spread the glue evenly in one direction. This creates grooves that enhance adhesion.

    Install AMK Sheet

    Caution.


    Ensure that the wall is evenly coated with glue that forms a bond with the marble chips used in AMK, securing them to the wall.

    Improper glue application can weaken the bond between the AMK and the wall, which may cause the marble crumbs to come off when removing the protective film.

    amk sheet application

    Apply AMK

    Apply the AMK and press it against the wall to fix it in place with glue.

    smoothing out-2

    Smooth out

    Start smoothing out and embedding AMK sheet from the centre using taping knife.

    clean the overlapping areas

    Clean the edges

    Remove excess glue from the edges so the mesh is clearly visible to provide seamless overlapping with the next sheet.

    AMK Seam Filling

    Fill the seams

    Use the same glue to fill the seams of AMK. Hold flat trowel or foam grout float at 45-degree to create accurate grout lines. You may try making glue thinner for that purpose.

    Remove the protective film

    Wait until the adhesive completely dries out and only then remove the protective film.


    Depending on the type of substrate and environmental conditions, the adhesive may require 3-4 days to fully cure and achieve optimal bond strength. Proper curing is essential to ensure durability and a long-lasting finish.

    Spray water

    Moistening the adhesive after it has dried can make it easier to locate and lift the edge of the protective film for removal. This simple step helps streamline the process and ensures a clean, flawless finish.

    AMK protective film removal

    Remove the protective film

    Use any sharp tool to lift the film's edge and peel it away, unveiling the stunning AMK finish.

    Caution.


    If you notice marble particles coming off with the protective film, stop immediately, as the glue may not be fully set yet.
    Additionally, avoid removing the protective film during hot weather under direct sunlight to ensure the best results.