How to Glue Polystyrene Insulation to a Concrete Wall

The concrete walls in your basement are sturdy and can handle the large loads your house puts upon them, but they can also be cold -- lowering the energy efficiency of your home and making the floors directly above uncomfortable. One easy addition to your concrete walls is polystyrene insulation. Polystyrene insulation comes in easy-to-handle sheets, ideal for gluing onto the surface of a concrete wall.

Tape measure
Utility knife
Straight edge
Construction adhesive
Caulk gun
Vinyl tape

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the height of the wall. Place a straight edge onto the polystyrene panel at the height it needs to be trimmed to, if necessary, and make a score mark across the panel with a sharp utility knife. Grasp the panel on both sides of the mark and bend the panel until it breaks on the mark.
- 2
  Place the panel against the wall and note the location. Apply an S-shaped bead of construction adhesive on the wall where the panel will be placed.
- 3
  Place the panel in position. Hold it firmly against the wall until the adhesive sets and the panel will not shift.
- 4
  Continue applying panels until the wall is covered. Tape the seams between the panels with vinyl tape to stop leaks.

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