How to Add on to a Concrete Block Wall When Remodeling

Clean the clocks with a sponge and a pH-neutral cleanser. Rinse off the cleanser with clean water; dry the wall by patting the moisture off with clean rags.

Measure the length of the wall with a tape measure. Cut 1-by-2-inch furring strips to match the length with a circular saw. Multiple strips may be required for longer walls. Make certain that the length of the combined strips match the wall’s length.

Make a mark on the wall an inch from the top and an inch from the bottom with a piece of chalk. Hold the end of a piece of furring strip onto the wall horizontally so that the base of the strip is at the 1-inch chalked mark. Tape the end of the strip in place with a piece of masking tape. Go to the other end of the wall and measure an inch from the floor. Place the strip so that the base is an inch from the floor on that end; place a carpenter’s level onto the strip to make certain it’s level. Make any adjustments needed to level out the strip, and then tape it into place as well. Walk down the length of the strip placing a chalk mark about every two feet along the top of the length of the strip to serve as a guide when mounting it to the wall. Repeat the process for the top strip, keeping a gap of 1-inch from the ceiling.

Drill through the strips 1-inch from each end using a hammer drill to pass through the strip and into the wall about 1-inch deep. Use a vacuum with a hose to remove any concrete residue from the block after drilling. Drive concrete fasteners through the strip and into the blocks beneath using the electric screwdriver. Concrete screws are strong enough to hold the strips in position and provide the support needed for paneling. Place a fastener through the strip every 12 inches to secure it to the blocks. Mount both the top and bottom horizontal strips to the wall. Stagger the fastener placement to avoid cracking the strips along a single weakened line.

Place a mark every 16-inches along the strip with the chalk to designate the location of a vertical furring strip. Start at the corners of the wall and work from one corner to the opposing corner with the marks. There will be a partial space between the last two studs on the wall.

Use the tape measure to measure the gap between the two horizontal furring strips. Cut a strip for each marked stud point on the wall using the circular saw.

Attach a vertical furring strip to the wall between the horizontal strips every 16 inches, using the same mounting process. Place the first strip at one corner of the wall where it meets an adjacent wall, and then measure each 16-inch placement from the center of the preceding strip.

Continue to place the strips until you reach the opposing wall corner. Attach the last vertical strip to the corner, even if it's less than 16 inches from the center of the preceding strip. You'll still need this corner strip to mount the edge of the wall covering against the wall. After placement of the strips, use the resultant framework to attach your remodeling products.