Daily Tip for Home Builder – Drywall Over Concrete

There is always some debate on whether to drywall over concrete or CMU block walls. Some people like to just paint the concrete, or first apply a cementateous seal and then paint. If you’re going to apply the cement-like material, you can have a textured stucco or a smooth plaster finish so don’t let the finish be your reason for wanting drywall. The most important thing to consider before installing drywall is moisture buildup behind the wall. This means that the wall must be waterproofed before you close it in. This is especially true for basements. Another aspect of moisture is that the cool cement can condense water vapor in the space behind the wall. So, a vapor barrier of 4 mil plastic is a good idea, followed by insulation batts to keep the warm air from the cool wall. It is also a good idea to spray the back side of the drywall with a mold-resistant chemical. Once you have decided that drywall is the way to go, you have a choice of either building a classic 2X4 stud wall, or thinner furring strips. A good alternative is just turning the 2X4 on their sides. If you don’t build the classic stud wall, remember that space for outlets and pipes will need to be knocked out of blocks during construction and before filling the block with grout. Remember to calculate space for insulation and any door or window sill depth.