Options to Finish Exposed Cinder Blocks Inside Your House

Options

• A framed wall covered with drywall is a finish option to completely cover cinder blocks. Drywall turns the wall from a basement-like finish to a main-floor finish. You get a clean look and make the room feel like an actual living space. This finishing option involves framing the walls with studs and nailing drywall to it. Stucco is another option that works both inside and outside on block foundation walls. This method uses a cement plaster mixture to cover the walls. You are also able to incorporate designs into the stucco before it dries for a custom wall. For a simple, inexpensive way to finish your blocks, a coat of paint is an option. You give the wall a uniform look to help the grout lines blend in better.

Location

• The location of the cinder block wall is a consideration when choosing the finishing method. If your cinder block wall is in the basement, inspect the area to determine the conditions. Basements tend to have areas of moisture or even leaking water, making it difficult to finish the area. If you want to use drywall or stucco on an area that is high in moisture, you may need to hire a professional to take care of the moisture problem first. Painting is also an option in a high-moisture area as it is less likely to be affected by the moisture than drywall.

Insulation

• Another consideration is whether to add insulation to the room. Framed walls covered in drywall give you the best opportunity to install insulation. You are able to use either spray foam or rolled insulation between the studs of the walls covering the cinder block wall. The insulation helps control the temperature in the room, a task that is often difficult in basement areas where cinder block walls are common.

Tips

• Walk through the room with the cinder block walls to get a sense of how you want it to look. Consider the use for the room and the rest of the finishes in the area. For example, if the blocks are in a basement that isn't finished, consider paint. If you have a cinder block wall in a completely finished room, drywall gives the wall a look more fitting of the finished area.