Surface Preparation Before Installing Golhem Wall Decorative Materials

Golhem natural clay-based wall decorative materials can be installed on a variety of surfaces, including concrete walls, fiber cement boards, plywood, and other wall substrates. Proper surface preparation is essential as it directly affects the bonding strength and the long-term performance of the material.

Brick Masonry with Plaster Finish Walls
• Surface Smoothness and Waterproofing: The wall surface must be smooth, clean, and free from dust. It should have proper waterproofing to prevent water penetration into the wall structure. Wall edges must be properly aligned, plumb, and square. For exterior walls, the plaster surface should be mixed with a waterproofing additive to help prevent water seepage during rainfall. If waterproofing is applied afterward, adhesion testing must be performed to ensure the adhesive can directly contact the plaster surface.
• No Primer Paint or Skim Coat: The wall surface should not have primer, paint, or skim coat applied. If primer, coating, or surface treatments have already been applied and cannot be removed, adhesion testing should be conducted before installation, and the impact on the installer’s warranty should be clearly acknowledged.

Other Wall Types: Fiber Cement / Plywood / MDF (Interior Applications)
• Fiber Cement and Plywood: Fiber cement boards, plywood, or other wall substrates must have a smooth surface, be free from dust, and have a strong supporting structure. The surface must not warp, deform, or shift, and must be capable of supporting the weight of the material sheets.
• Exterior Application Specifications: For exterior installations, fiber cement boards must be rated for outdoor use to prevent swelling or movement under weather conditions beyond standard limitations.

Existing Walls: Wallpapered Walls (Existing Surface)
• Wallpaper: All existing wallpaper should be completely removed. Clean the surface thoroughly to ensure it is smooth and free from adhesive residue or remaining wallpaper fragments.
• Tiled Walls: Ensure that the existing tiles are firmly attached and free from looseness or detachment. If any tiles are unstable or easily removed, they should be removed, and the surface should be re-plastered and leveled before installation.

Cutting Method

Cutting Golhem G Fambe Brick Series or Thin Brick Sheets
Cutting Golhem G Fambe Brick or thin brick sheets is a simple process. Start by measuring and marking the required dimensions, then cut the material according to the specified size.
Recommended cutting tools include a large utility knife or industrial scissors. The cutting tools must be sharp; if the blade becomes dull, it should be replaced immediately to prevent uneven edges or material damage.
Pay attention to the blade thickness, as it may remove excess material during cutting. Cut slowly along the marked line, then finish the edges using sandpaper or a sanding stone to achieve a smooth surface ready for installation.

Installation and Adhesives

Installation of Golhem G Fambe Brick Series (Thin Brick)
The installation of Golhem G Fambe Brick Series or thin brick sheets should be carried out according to the recommended procedures to ensure strong adhesion, proper bonding, and a neat finished appearance.
The selection of adhesive should be based on the installation conditions and the type of surface where the material will be applied.

Pre-Installation Inspection
• Material Condition: Before installation, inspect the material sheets to ensure they are in perfect condition and free from chips, cracks, breakage, or surface damage.
• Adhesive Testing: Adhesive testing should be performed to confirm that the adhesive can properly bond with the specific substrate. Changing the installation surface does not guarantee that the product will maintain the same adhesion performance. If any defects are found, please contact the sales team immediately.

Do not use other PU (Polyurethane) adhesive products, including construction adhesive (“liquid nails”) and sealants, apart from the recommended adhesive types.
These products may have a risk of plasticizer migration (plasticise), which can cause adhesive components to seep through and create visible marks or stains on the surface of the material sheet.

Adhesive Application Method

Ceramic Bond Adhesive Application Method
Start by cleaning the material surface to remove dust and dirt. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the back of the sheet. Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive evenly in parallel lines in the same direction across the entire surface, while leaving a small margin around the edges to prevent adhesive from squeezing out onto the front surface of the material.
Then, press the G Fambe Brick sheet firmly onto the wall until it is fully adhered and securely attached across the entire sheet.

After installation, use a rubber mallet to gently tap the surface to remove trapped air and adjust the level. Clean any excess adhesive with a clean damp cloth or a damp sponge before the adhesive dries.
Allow the adhesive to set for at least 24 hours before exposing the installation to water.

Joint Spacing

Joint Spacing Between Material Sheets
The spacing between material sheets affects the overall neatness of the installation, accommodates material expansion, and supports the desired design appearance, especially in cases where visible joints are part of the design concept.
The appropriate joint spacing should be considered based on the type of sheet surface, material characteristics, and the selected joint finishing method.

General Guidelines for Golhem G Fambe Brick Series
To accommodate sheet size tolerances (approximately ±1–2 mm), it is recommended to maintain a minimum joint gap of 1.5–2.0 mm between sheets. This allows for proper alignment during installation and helps achieve a neat and consistent finished appearance.

For Visible Joint Design
If the design intention is to emphasize visible joints, a joint gap of approximately 3–4 mm is recommended to provide sufficient space for proper joint finishing.
If joints are left visible, a small brush can be used to apply touch-up paint along the joint lines for a cleaner appearance.
The joint width can be increased beyond 4 mm depending on the desired design style, visual effect, and the level of emphasis required for the joint lines.

Corner Installation

Corner Installation for Golhem Natural Formed Clay Wall Material
Golhem natural formed clay wall material can be installed at corners using a 90-degree edge-overlapping method. The sheet edges are overlapped to create a clean and continuous corner finish.
The exposed edge line at the corner can be refined by applying matching touch-up paint, similar to laminate finishing, depending on the desired appearance and project requirements.

90-Degree Corner Installation

Edge Finishing

This step depends on the characteristics of the installation. However, if cutting imperfections occur, such as uneven edges or slightly oversized cuts, the edges can be refined by gently sanding with fine-grit sandpaper (No. 100) to adjust the size and achieve a proper fit.

Cleaning

After completing the installation, the surface should be cleaned to remove any adhesive residue or other dirt. Proper protection should also be provided to prevent damage during the remaining construction process.
The material surface can be cleaned using a soft cloth dampened with clean water or with commonly available surface cleaning solutions. Wipe and clean the surface as usual.
However, avoid using highly acidic cleaning products, such as sanitary ware chemicals, and avoid using brass brushes or abrasive tools that may damage the material surface.