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Concrete is a great material for walls in spaces that are trying to be a bit bolder with their aesthetic look, but for those who want a more common design element, putting drywall over these concrete areas may be more desired. Therefore, can you put drywall over concrete?
You can put drywall over concrete, but it is important to be mindful of the process. Drywall should never be installed directly to a concrete slab, and should be installed over a barrier wall to prevent any type of moisture transfer, which could create mold and damage the drywall.
Concrete walls require very little upkeep and create a space that gives some individuals the ability to have a more industrial feel to their home – something desired by many, but not all. If you are looking to add a bit of warmth to a space with concrete walls, but want to do more than simply paint them, hanging drywall overtop can be a great solution. Continue reading to find out how to put drywall over concrete and the tools you will need to complete this project.
Concrete has become one of the most unexpected materials used in homes within recent decades, as it has developed into more than the simple foundation of homes, but can now be found as the material used for countertops, accent walls, and even as the complete exterior of more modern homes. This versatility is one of the reasons concrete is so appealing, but for those who want to make their space a little more inviting, can you hang drywall over it?
You can hang drywall over concrete, but proper preparation and installation are key to having long-lasting results. Be sure the area has no moisture problems, and either solve the water problems through simple methods like adding an exterior drain, or call a professional for more serious issues.
Concrete is an absorptive material, which means that if moisture problems are present in that area, they will only be exaggerated once you have installed drywall over it. Therefore, be extremely thorough when checking for any leaking spots and once fixed, use a paint roller to apply a masonry waterproofing product that will help to seal the wall and stop any water that naturally accumulates within the wall (this does not prevent major leaking).
When it comes to hanging drywall over concrete, this is a completely possible process that can be easily done. However, this note of affirmation should be taken with a bit of caution, as installing drywall on your own is not going to be nearly as easy as it would be a professional. When it comes to wondering if you should hang drywall over concrete, the answer is yes, but whether or not you should do it yourself, the answer leaves a bit less room for “go ahead.”
It is safe to hang drywall over concrete, but this is a task that should be done by either someone who is highly experienced or a professional. The process is rather lengthy to install the drywall itself, and very specific tools are needed in order to complete the project.
Drywalling may seem rather simplistic at first glance, but this is a process that takes time, precision, and tools that people typically don’t already have lying around their home. Even more, once these tools have been purchased, it is unlikely that they will ever use them again, creating an unnecessary expense to install material that they simply are not qualified to install. The risk versus reward in this regard is rather high and should be considered before DIYing.
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If you do choose to tackle installing drywall over concrete, start by sealing the wall first, as previously mentioned, and install blocking between the joists of your ceiling. You will do this by screwing one side of the block through the joist and fasten the other side to the sill plate. You will then install foam board sheets to the wall by applying an adhesive vertically on the wall to keep water accumulating from within the foam boards..
Once you have the foam in place, snap a line on the floor with enough space to guide where the bottom plate of your wall will go.. You will then need to assemble your barrier walls on the ground that will allow you to install the drywall properly. With every stud, there should be a crown placed and an “X” marked. All crowns should face the same direction and be placed upwards so when installing the wall, it can be tipped right up.
After building your walls a few inches shorter than your ceiling height, you will then tip the walls up with the bottom plate against the wall. If this presents a problem due to ductwork, try by fitting the top of the wall in place first, then gently nudge the bottom of the wall in. You will then secure the bottom plate by putting construction adhesive on the floor and securing it into place with concrete nails or screws every 6 feet.
You will then plumb the wall and secure the top plate every 4 feet before framing the inside corners. Frame the inside corners by securing your wall with the connecting wall by creating a drywall backing. You will then fill open areas with insulation and can begin installing drywall. Measure each wall so you can cut each drywall piece to fit the area without guessing.
Once you have your drywall piece, start by driving screws into the middle of the piece on the wall and then secure it by placing screws every 16 inches apart and into the studs. Once the drywall has been hung, you will then need to properly tape and mud all studs and edges to ensure that you a smooth finish that can be painted over without issue.
When putting drywall over a concrete slab, there are quite a few tools you are going to need before getting started. If you are someone who has experience with this type of project, it is likely that you already have everything you need, outside of material. However, if this is new to you, be prepared to find quite a few items that are likely not on your tools shelf, but take a look below to find out exactly what you are going to need.
The tools needed to install drywall over concrete include an air compressor, air hose, caulk gun, chalk line, circular saw, corded drill, extension cord, framing square, hammer, level, tape measure, utility knife, saw horses, sheet sander, drywall taping tools, drywall saw, and an air sander.
This list is relatively long, but these are the essential tools needed for completing a project of installing drywall over concrete. Add this list to your list of materials needed, and you have a pretty large group to get together. However, if you have the right skill set and are confident in your abilities, hanging drywall over concrete can be something you can do on your own. If you feel less confident in your skills, hire a professional to help get things done perfectly.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 4, 2021.
