The Best Concrete-to-Drywall Glue

Proper Practice

• Gluing drywall directly to concrete or cinder-block walls is not best practice. If time and budget allows, furring strips should be screwed or nailed to the substrate, with the drywall in turn attached to the furring strips. The small amount of floor space sacrificed in the room being drywalled is more than offset by the increased ease of accurate installation and, should it be necessary in the future, removal.

Construction Adhesives

• Numerous products are marketed that will attach drywall to concrete or cinder block; observe the manufacturer’s instructions for safe usage and clean-up. Because of the many variations in application and usage practices, it is not possible to give a specific recommendation for the “best” product, but many are excellent. Higher product price is not an accurate indicator of improved performance.

  Grabber, a non-staining and waterproof adhesive designed specially for drywall, is representative of the many construction adhesives available. Grabber’s formulation allows for initial repositioning of the drywall panel -- called “open time” -- and can accommodate minor irregularities in the substrate. Polyseamseal is a water-based adhesive designed for both interior and exterior applications. Polyseamseal has good mold-resistant qualities, with a water-based formulation that allows for cleanup with soap and water, but it requires that the substrate be absolutely free of contaminants such as oil before application. Boss 345 Drywall Construction Adhesive is also developed specifically for attaching drywall to solid substrates. Its formulation allows for minimal structural movement -- settling of the building -- even when fully cured, and it is unaffected by cold.

The Attaching Process

• Full-size drywall panels are heavy. Even though construction adhesive typically has exceptional “grab,” it is usually necessary to support the drywall mechanically while the glue sets. Special concrete screws are manufactured for this purpose, and can be purchased in most home improvement warehouses and hardware stores. Apply the adhesive to the drywall, not the substrate, in broad zigzag patterns, then position and fasten the board as rapidly as is possible while maintaining accuracy. Allow full curing time before doing further work. With some poly-based construction adhesives, this can be as much as a week.

Damp Spaces

• It is not good practice to attach drywall directly to concrete walls in environments where moisture is likely, such as in basements. In such situations you will need to install a vapor barrier and use furring strips interspersed with foam insulation board. Insulation with an integral vapor barrier gives a second layer of protection. Greenboard is a better bet than drywall in that environment.