Many people would love a concrete-effect wall – in the living room, the hallway, the bathroom or a shop. Usually it is trowelled or painted, and the result looks like plaster, not like concrete. Few people know there is a simpler solution: real mineral concrete on a roll, with board-formed texture, tie holes and the rough feel of an exposed concrete wall. The sheets are fixed with tile adhesive just like tiles – with a little skill you can do it yourself.
In this guide we show you step by step how to build an exposed concrete wall with HeavyRoll concrete on a roll – all by yourself.
Why concrete on a roll?
- Real texture, not an imitation: board-formed texture, tie holes and pores are already in the mineral surface – no trowelling, no painting, no practice with a trowel needed.
- Large sheets, few joints: one sheet measures approx. 3000 × 950 mm and is only 2–4 mm thin and light.
- Compact to transport: the sheets arrive rolled up – handy and straightforward, unlike rigid large-format panels.
- Flexible: the sheet also bends around round columns and curves.
- Safe: the mineral surface does not burn. Euroclass A2 to EN 13501-1 (A2-s2,d0) – the second-highest fire class, no flaming droplets. With certificate.
- Made from recycled marble: the mineral layer consists of around 60 % recycled Carrara marble.
DIY Concrete-Effect Wall – a Guide in 7 Steps
Step 1: Measure the wall and plan the sheets
Measure the width and height of the wall. With a sheet width of approx. 95 cm, a 3 m wide wall needs four sheets. Plan where the joints should be – with board-formed designs, ideally along the edge of a board. Choose your design and request a sample first.
Step 2: Get your tools ready
- a sharp utility knife
- folding rule and pencil
- a straightedge or batten as long as possible for precise cutting
- a wide brush for the back of the sheet
- a 6–8 mm notched trowel
- a rubber roller for pressing on
- tape to cover the joints
- tile adhesive, deep primer, bucket and mixing paddle
- gloves and a dust mask
Step 3: Prepare the substrate
Plasterboard and masonry walls are first treated with deep primer. Highly absorbent substrates also receive deep primer. The wall should be clean, dry and load-bearing.
Step 4: Cut the sheets to size
The rolls are slightly longer than the wall and are cut to size precisely before installation – simply with a utility knife along a long straightedge. No special tools, no saw needed.
Step 5: Brush the back and mix the tile adhesive
Brush the back of the sheet with a wide brush. Then mix a tile adhesive, for example Sopro Classic plus S1 808 or Kerakoll H40 No Limits. Our tip: tint the adhesive to the colour of the sheet (e.g. with Mixol black) – so it will not be visible at the joints later.
Step 6: Apply the adhesive with a notched trowel
Apply the tile adhesive evenly to the wall with a 6–8 mm notched trowel – only for the next sheet at a time.
Step 7: Position, unroll and press on the sheet
Position the sheet at the top and slowly unroll it downwards onto the adhesive.
Then press the sheet firmly onto the wall with the rubber roller – from the centre outwards. Place the next sheet right alongside; cover edges and joints with tape so that no adhesive gets onto the surface.
Done: the surface can later be cleaned simply with soap and water.
DIY Concrete Wall – Ideas for Every Room
- Living room: a feature wall behind the sofa or TV in board-formed exposed concrete.
- Bathroom: a concrete look without tile grout lines on the vanity wall.
- Kitchen: as a concrete-effect kitchen splashback.
- Shop and office: large areas, installed quickly.
You will find more inspiration in our articles Designing a concrete-effect wall and Concrete wall ideas and on the page Concrete Effect Wall Cladding.
FAQ: Creating a Concrete-Effect Wall Yourself
Can you make a concrete-effect wall yourself?
Yes. With concrete on a roll you need no trowelling technique: the texture is already in the sheet. You cut the sheet to size, apply tile adhesive and press it on with the rubber roller – much like tiling.
Which adhesive and which notched trowel do I need?
A tile adhesive, e.g. Sopro Classic plus S1 808 or Kerakoll H40 No Limits, and a 6–8 mm notched trowel. Ideally tint the adhesive to the colour of the sheet.
How many sheets do I need?
One sheet is approx. 95 cm wide and approx. 3 m long. Divide the wall width by 0.95 m and round up – a 3 m wide wall needs four sheets.
How much does a concrete wall with HeavyRoll cost?
With HeavyRoll you save on formwork, concrete pouring and drying time – the sheets arrive rolled up and can be fixed with tile adhesive yourself. The price depends on the design and the area. Request samples and a quote for your project.
Does the material burn?
No. The mineral surface does not burn. Euroclass A2 to EN 13501-1 (A2-s2,d0) – the second-highest fire class, no flaming droplets. With certificate.
DIY Concrete-Effect Wall – Request Samples and a Quote
Would you like to create your concrete-effect wall yourself? Write to us – you will receive samples and a quote for your project.
