How to Apply Sheetrock Directly to a Cinderblock Wall

Measure the height of the cinderblock wall. Transfer that measurement to a sheet of 48-inch by 96-inch foam insulation board.

Cut the board with a utility knife at your measured mark to fit the height of your wall. Apply all-purpose construction adhesive to the back of the insulation board and adhere the insulation board to the cinderblock wall. Continue to install the sheets of foam insulation until you have covered the cinderblock wall.

Install 1-inch by 2-inch by 8-foot furring strips horizontally along the base and the top of the cinderblock wall. Drive 4-inch masonry screws through the furring strips, the insulation and into the cinderblock wall with a power drill.

Measure and cut additional masonry strips with a power saw to fit vertically between the top and bottom furring strips. Install furring strips along the length of the cinderblock wall every 16 inches.

Measure and cut sheets of 3/4-inch Sheetrock to fit the height of your cinderblock wall. Install the Sheetrock to the wall by driving 1 1/4-inch drywall screws through the 3/4-inch Sheetrock and into the furring strips.

Drive drywall screws into the Sheetrock every 16 inches horizontally along the top and the bottom of the Sheetrock. Measure a distance of 2 feet above the bottom of the Sheetrock and drive additional drywall screws across the Sheetrock horizontally. Continue to drive a line of screws every 2 feet until you reach the top of the cinderblock wall.

Apply premixed drywall mud to the seams and the screw heads with a 6-inch joint knife. Push the mud into the seams with the knife. Hold the knife at a 20 to 25-degree angle and pass over the seams and screw heads to remove any excess mud. Make a final pass with the knife to smooth the mud.

Stick joint tape to the mud along the seams in the Sheetrock. Again, hold your 6-inch joint knife at a 20- to 25-degree angle and drag it over the joint tape to press the tape into the drywall mud.

Apply another layer of drywall mud over the top of the seam tape. Use the same method to apply the mud, then remove the excess mud from the tape and Sheetrock as you did previously.

Allow the mud to dry overnight. Sand all the drywall mud with medium-grit sandpaper.

Apply a second coat of mud over the seams using a 12-inch taping knife. Allow the mud to dry overnight, then sand with the medium-grit sandpaper.