How to Insulate an Older Home With Cinder Block Walls

Install furring strips vertically on 16-inch centers. This means that the center of each furring strip should be exactly 16 inches from the center of the next furring strip. Position the furring strips flat against the concrete wall and insert concrete screws every 16 inches.

Measure and cut rigid foam insulation board to match the dimensions of the spaces between the furring strips. For easy cutting, snap a chalk line on the foam board and hold a straight edge on the line. Cut the foam board with a utility knife.

Apply construction adhesive intended for use with rigid foam on the concrete blocks before inserting the foam board. The adhesive comes in large tubes and fits into a caulking gun that dispenses the glue when you squeeze a trigger handle. Squeeze dime-size globs of adhesive 6-8 inches apart on the cinder blocks.

Cut out the rigid foam to fit around outlets and switches if you’re insulating inside, and around pipes and wall vents if you’re insulating the exterior of the house.

Install drywall on the home’s interior or hang siding on the home’s exterior.The furring strips provide the structural frame which will hold the drywall or the siding. Attach the drywall panels to the furring strips with drywall screws, and attach siding with nails..