How to re-model house with concrete block interior?

Question

Hi,

I'm currently thinking about purchasing my second property and I have my eye on an older house that is constructed from concrete block.  I guess the construction material doesn't matter, but the thing is that ALL of the interior walls are literally just cinder block walls painted white (Like you'd see inside a high school).

What are the best & most cost effective ways to re-model a house with all cinder block interior walls.  Most houses in my area are constructed with a wood frame and have drywall interior.  Cinder block walls IMO looks extremely cheap and screams low income.

I'm open to all suggestions on what can be done, and would like to know the estimated costs of doing so. This house is a 1000sq/ft ranch.

- Cover interior walls with drywall and paint?

- Just paint the interior cinder block how it is and somehow make it look "good"

- Any other materials that could be used?

Jassem A. · Answer

I would probably leave it the way it is and maybe put on a fresh coat of better color paint. The blocks will hold up better with a tenant than drywall will. Could always dress it up with nicer trim around windows, update flooring, outlet covers, etc. You can play it as a strength: think three little pigs.

Account Closed · Answer

@Keith Nelson

If you're not ever going to plan on removing a C. Block wall, (like to "open up" a room or something) it's actually quite a nice solid material. (Good sound insulation, doesn't get eaten by termites, etc)

If you're asking about how to make it look less "dorm room" then you simply can buy some furring strips (1x1, or 1x2) attach them to the C.Block with liquid nails or actual nails, and then go 1/2in drywall on the furring strips. The electrical is relevant, but if you keep the outlets in the same spots then you just cut some holes in the drywall like you would for a normal stud wall. Then tape, mud, paint, and presto, you're done.

If you're looking for some "challenge projects" you could do some kind of stucco finish, or textured plaster of some kind, or perhaps even do a stone/brick/other veneer, though it would be a bit more involved that just drywall. In Poland (my home country) basically all houses are made of C.Block and people will typically just layer on some plaster and paint.

Good luck with your project, hope it works out great!

Aaron R. · Answer

@Keith Nelson Almost all the houses I flip here Phoenix are block construction. You are not asking the right question. What you do with the walls depends on what the remodeled comps look like. Are there comps with block construction that don't have drywall? If all your comps have drywall then the solution is furring strips and drywall. This is what all the houses built with block have here in Phoenix.

If you go to lower price point, less desirable neighborhoods out here you may find houses that have block walls on the interior with no drywall.

Charlie DiLisio · Answer

You can also seal the walls with drywall compound and Spray on a knockdown or orange peal finish then paint it.  i'm going to assume the blocks were filled with insulation which would take care of the moisture coming thru.  solves the electrical problems extended all of the outlets and plumbing issues as well and less costly to finish.  good luck.

Account Closed · Answer

@Keith Nelson  If you're going to do anything, it's probably best/easiest to attach furring strips and drywall the walls. It would be a lot of work to plaster over the block, especially since it is painted, i.e bonding issues, etc.

Mary Shea · Answer

I too have had great results with skim coating with drywall mud.  We used hot mud first, sanded and did a light topping coat, then finished with texture to match the other walls.  Cheap and easy with great results.  I will try to find a couple pictures of before and after.

Michael Leung · Answer

Skimming the block with drywall never really works...you can never the surface smooth enough.  With what Aaron R. said is correct for Arizona...we have a material called slump block and its just fine to leave painted.  I think what your saying is you have interior walls made with 8" CMU blocks.

In that that case, the proper way is to fur out the walls with wood studs.  You can use a studs or wood nailer strip to reduce the amount of sqft you'lll be losing on the block. Then hang sheet rock, tape and texture like normal.

Charlie DiLisio · Answer

Keith, I would get a quote from a drywall company or stucco contractor for their Spray finishes.  In south Florida  i get my ceilings and walls done with knockdown for about $1000.00 and then I paint them any color I like.  they have multiple designs and they can also make the walls smooth if you like but it will cost more money for smooth.

Jim Adrian · Answer

Drywall can be glued to the wall for the cheapest option but will telegraph all the wall imperfections.  I would go with furring strips and drywall.  I would also consider going old school with plaster skim coat system about 3/8 thick.  This will give a uniform finish and smooth texture.  This is similar to the 1920 lath and plaster walls back in the day.  Electrical boxes can be extended as needed. At the exterior walls I would add insulation.  I would bet there is no insulation in the walls and a lot of the cells will be grouted full.  Verify what walls are structural before removing any.

Keith N. · Answer

@Charlie DiLisio So, you're saying use drywall compound (which is basically a type of clay/putty-ish material) to flatten and smooth out the cinder blocks (since right now they have divets in between each block)... And THEN apply a more course finish because it will be impossible to make the wall completely smooth and flat anyway?

If so, I kind of like that Idea.  Would be much cheaper than attaching new drywall throughout, right?

How to re-model house with concrete block interior?

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