Installing Concrete Wall Panels starts with one essential detail: the surface they’re fixed to. The substrate is the foundation, vital for strength and lasting longevity.

Whether it’s an interior wall, exterior facade, or even a ceiling, choosing the right substrate ensures your panels remain safe, secure and flawless for years to come.

FLOAT concrete panels are lightweight at just 13.6 kg/m², making them versatile for many different surfaces. The key is that the substrate must be solid, clean and properly prepared. Always make sure the back of the panel and the chosen substrate is completely dust free.

There are two main fixing options: Mechanical fixing or Polymer adhesive fixing. While mechanical fixing offers a solid alternative, the most economical and efficient method is adhesive installation. Our panels are specifically designed for use with Sikaflex®-118, or similar polymer adhesives. Because each panel is sealed with a penetrating polymer sealer, this creates a durable bond with built-in flexibility to accommodate natural movement over time.

In this guide, we’ll outline the substrates that work best with adhesive installs. Hidden behind the panels, they quietly provide the dependable base for a long-lasting installation.

Why Substrate Selection Is Critical

The substrate’s role is simple but vital: to provide a stable, adhesive-friendly base that keeps the panels secure.

For FLOAT concrete wall panels to perform properly, the substrate must:

• Support the panel’s weight

• Be flat and stable

• Be clean and ready for adhesive or mechanical fixing

When these factors are in place, our panels can be installed on walls, ceilings, and concrete cladding panels for both interior and exterior projects.

 

Compatible Substrates for FLOAT Concrete Wall Panels

 

Here’s a breakdown of substrates that provide strong, dependable support for our concrete cladding.

1. Wood Surfaces – Reliable and Practical

Wood-based boards like MDF, plywood, and OSB are commonly used in architectural builds. They’re flat, sturdy, and easy to work with, making them a practical backing for wall concrete panels.

Why It’s Used:
Wood surfaces are accessible, adaptable, and support the lightweight nature of FLOAT panels with minimal preparation.

Best For:

• Interior concrete wall paneling

• Partition walls

• Feature walls in commercial and residential spaces

2. Interior Plasterboard – A Solid Standard

Plasterboard (gypsum board) is one of the most common wall surfaces used in modern construction.

Why It’s Used:
It provides a consistent, stable surface that efficiently supports lightweight concrete panels for interiors.

Best For:

• Concrete wall panels interior for homes and offices

• Interior feature walls in retail and hospitality spaces

• Renovations and new builds

3. Exterior Fibre Cement Boards – Ready for the Outdoors

Fibre cement boards are specifically designed for external use, resisting weather and moisture.

Why It’s Used:
They offer strong structural support and excellent compatibility with FLOAT’s concrete panels for exterior walls.

Best For:

• Outdoor concrete cladding panels

• External facades in commercial and residential buildings

• Garden walls and architectural landscaping

4. Top-Hat Battens – Lightweight Structural Systems

Top-hat battens made from steel or aluminum create efficient substructures for direct panel installation.

Why It’s Used:
They reduce the need for continuous sheeting, speed up installation, and allow for precise alignment—perfect for exterior concrete wall panels.

Best For:

• Commercial facades

• Lightweight concrete cladding systems

• Ventilated wall assemblies

5. Brickwork – Strong, Reliable Support

Clay, cement, and maxi brick walls provide excellent structural integrity.

Why It’s Used:
Brick walls are solid, stable, and support wall concrete panels and concrete facade panels with ease when properly prepared.

Best For:

• Residential homes

• Commercial buildings with brick structures

• Renovation projects

 

6. Rendered Walls and Raw Concrete – Solid and Stable

Rendered walls, cement skim coats, and raw concrete surfaces are among the most stable backing materials.

Why It’s Used:
They offer strong support and work naturally with adhesives used for concrete wall panels exterior and interior systems.

Best For:

• Industrial-style interiors

• Large commercial spaces

• External concrete cladding panels

 

 

7. Render-Primed Surfaces – Moisture-Ready

Cement render walls that are correctly primed offer an excellent, stable base for FLOAT panels.

Why It’s Used:
Primed renders support secure adhesive bonding and are particularly useful in exterior installations that require moisture protection.

Best For:

• Outdoor concrete panel walls

• Residential exterior features

• Commercial concrete cladding systems

 

8. Painted Walls – Fast and Efficient for Renovations

When the existing painted surface is stable and well-adhered, it can serve as a practical backing for FLOAT panels.

Why It’s Used:
Painted walls allow for quick renovations and efficient upgrades using lightweight concrete panels.

Best For:

• Residential retrofits

• Commercial fit-outs

• Interior concrete wall panels in refurbished spaces

Ceilings – Expanding Design Horizons

FLOAT panels are not limited to walls—they can also be installed on ceilings using secure mechanical fixing systems.

Recommended Systems:

• Screw-through anchor holes

• Aluminum split batten systems

• Spring retainer clips

Using FLOAT panels on ceilings extends the concrete cladding concept across the entire architectural envelope, creating immersive, modern spaces.

Mechanical Fixing Systems

FLOAT panels can be installed using adhesives or mechanical fixing systems depending on the substrate and design requirements.

Available Options:

• Screw-Fix Through Anchor Holes: Fast, direct fixing for solid walls.

• Split Batten Systems: Precision fitting with demountable options.

• Spring Retainer Clips: Discreet, edge-based support.

• Clamp Systems: Visible structural brackets for industrial designs.

• Rivet Fixing: Secure exposed rivets for bold concrete facade panels.

These systems allow FLOAT panels to adapt to a variety of installations, from tight interior spaces to large-scale exterior concrete panels.

 

Where FLOAT Panels Work Best

• Plastered and painted brick/block walls – as long as the plaster or paint is stable and not flaking.
• Concrete walls and columns – ideal for both interior and exterior use.
• Cement board and fiber-cement sheeting – commonly used for cladding and dry construction systems.
• Gypsum board/drywall (interior only) – suitable when the drywall is securely fixed and not carrying excessive load.
• Plywood or OSB sheathing – works well when mechanically fixed or with approved adhesive.
• Tiled surfaces – possible if tiles are firmly bonded and surfaces are properly prepared.
• With metal framing systems – often used in commercial facades.

The flexibility of FLOAT concrete wall panels allows them to move effortlessly between spaces—offering seamless transitions from interior to exterior, floor to ceiling.

 

Substrate Compatibility At a Glance

Unsuitable Substrates for FLOAT Panels

While FLOAT panels can be installed on many common surfaces, some substrates are not recommended:

• Loose or crumbling plaster/render – weak surfaces will not hold adhesive or fixings.

• Walls with peeling or flaking paint – adhesion is compromised if the coating is unstable.

• Damp, wet, or water-damaged walls – moisture prevents proper bonding and can cause long-term failure.

• Uneven or unstable surfaces – large voids, cracks, or excessive movement reduce stability.

• Bare drywall that flexes or carries heavy load – movement can crack adhesive bonds.

• Untreated or damp timber – prone to warping, swelling, and loss of adhesion.

• Loose or hollow-sounding tiles – poor base strength will transfer to the panels.

• Thin metal sheets without backing – lack of rigidity makes them unsuitable.

The golden rule: if the substrate is weak, unstable, damp, or uneven, it’s not suitable. A strong, dry, and level surface is essential for a long-lasting FLOAT panel installation.

 

Want to know more? See our frequently asked questions

 

Final Thoughts

The right substrate is essential for performance, but the beauty of concrete wall paneling is that they work across such a wide variety of surfaces. Whether you’re working with wood, plasterboard, brick, or top-hat battens, the substrate is there to provide structure, safety and lasting stability.

FLOAT panels bring architectural refinement to concrete cladding, interior concrete walls, exterior facades, and ceilings—all with a system that’s flexible, adaptable and built for modern design.

For installation advice and technical support, visit floatconcrete.com or contact our team directly.