How Do You Make A Cinder Block Wall Look Good?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Concrete. The simplest way to cover a cinder block wall is by using

surface bonding cement to create a concrete finish

. Concrete helps insulate the building and keep moisture out. It creates a smooth, finished surface you can leave as is or paint.

How do you dress a cinder block house?

The simplest way to cover a cinder block wall is by

using surface bonding cement to create a concrete finish

. Concrete helps insulate the building and keep moisture out. It creates a smooth, finished surface you can leave as is or paint.

How do you make cinder block basement walls look good?

If your concrete-block basement walls are dry and free of efflorescence or mold, you can seal them with a masonry sealer or

all-purpose water-base primer-sealer and paint with a high-quality latex paint

. Paint is an easy way to make the basement feel warmer, brighter, and more welcoming.

What do you fill a cinder block wall with?

After the concrete blocks are laid, the voids can be filled with

a cement-based mortar or poured concrete that contains small pea gravel

. If the builder does this, the filled concrete block walls become nearly identical to poured concrete walls.

How do you texture a cinder block wall?

After a single section of your concrete cinder block wall is covered, use a new, wet trowel to further smooth the surface of the cement. Continue working the surface bonding cement until the desired texture is reached.

Do cinder blocks need to breathe?

Foundation walls like concrete are porous. This means they can take in 10-15 gallons of water vapor a day. … That is why your

walls need to breathe

. Moisture needs somewhere to go, and a house that is sealed up too tight ends up with moisture in puddles and rotten drywall.

What can you do with interior cinder block walls?

  • Pargeting. Pargeting is the traditional way of covering up concrete blocks. …
  • Painting. If you can’t be bothered with parging, you can still improve the look of your wall by painting it. …
  • Wood Paneling.

Can you stain cinder blocks?

Concrete stain will not affect the structural integrity of cinder blocks but will simply color them to offer a uniquely mottled look. You can stain a cinderblock wall in your

back yard

, or stain individual pieces to then be used for furniture or even planters to house a small variety of plants & flowers.

Do you fill concrete blocks with concrete?

Whenever you are working with cinder block,

you can strengthen them significantly by filling them with concrete

. … You can make up the difference by spending a little more to reinforce the blocks, a project that is still less expensive than using just poured concrete.

Can you paint cinder blocks?

Paint a

thin coat of exterior latex masonry paint or exterior acrylic house paint

onto the prepared cinder blocks. Allow the first coat to dry completely, which typically takes between four and eight hours. Apply a second coat after the first coat of paint is dry.

What is the difference between cinder block and concrete block?

Cinder blocks are hollow rectangle-shaped structures usually made of concrete and coal cinders which find use in construction sites. Concrete blocks often, on the other hand, are flattened constructs made of steel, wood or cement.

Can you lay cinder block on dirt?

Cinder blocks are sometimes set in cement but

you can also place them directly into the soil

. They are solid and heavy enough to hold down weeds and resist shifting.

Why do cinder blocks have holes?

The openings are called “cells” and one reason they are there is because

they make the blocks lighter and easier for a mason to handle

. But the primary purpose of the cells is that they align from top to bottom of the wall when laid, and enable a builder to fill some cells with grout/concrete to strengthen the wall.

Do cinder blocks absorb water?

It should be noted concrete block is porous by nature.

It easily absorbs moisture

, which can contribute to mold problems.

Does Drylock prevent mold?

Yes, Drylok

helps to prevent the development of mold and mildew

because it is designed to prevent water from penetrating through foundation walls. The product provides an ‘inert coating’ which means it does not promote the growth of mold or mildew.

Should I paint my cinder block wall?

By painting the walls or foundation, you increase the appeal of the space, but also it improves the moisture control from the wall. Concrete is a porous material that can absorb water from the ground and transfer to the basement through the foundation.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.