QA

How To Paint Cinder Block Walls

What kind of paint do you use on cinder blocks?

Painting. Purchase high-quality acrylic latex paint. Cinder blocks require a durable paint to hold up to wear and tear. Latex paint with acrylic will provide the best coverage and the smoothest application for both smooth and split-face cinder blocks.

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.

How do you make a cinder block wall look better?

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.

What kind of paint do you use on cinder block basement walls?

Paint Wall Paint the cinder block wall with a thick coat of masonry waterproofing paint, pushing paint into cracks and crevices of block. A paint roller or brush made specifically for masonry is best. Allow to dry overnight or for a minimum of 12 hours between coats.

What is the best paint to use on concrete block?

Masonry paint (also called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating) is a good choice for concrete painting because it contains binders that contract and expand with the concrete. Exterior house paint can crack and peel on concrete.

Do you have to Prime cinder block before painting?

Unpainted concrete block needs to be primed before the application of the finish paint. The main function of the primer is to fill the pores and neutralize the high P.H. The best primer designed for this purpose is Acrylic Block Fill.

Is it a good idea to paint basement walls?

Painting your basement walls can do more than just improve the look of your home; it can protect your foundation from water damage and moisture. Basement walls that are made out of finished drywall can be painted the same way that you would paint a standard wall in your home.

Is painting concrete a good idea?

Advantages to Painting Concrete Painted concrete certainly has its advantages. A fresh coat of paint or stain can really spruce up concrete basement or garage walls and floors, bringing new life to a worn concrete patio. Coating a concrete surface with paint can also make for easier cleaning and maintenance.

Does cinder block need to be sealed?

Years of continuous water seepage will enlarge the pores of the blocks, pinholes will begin to develop and leak water, and efflorescence will loosen and leach out from inside the concrete. Sealing cinder blocks will extend their life by protecting them against water, the main enemy of concrete.

How do you cover interior cinder block walls?

You can hide your concrete blocks altogether by facing the wall with wood paneling. To do this, attach horizontal furring strips to the wall using a hammer drill and screws that are made to drive into concrete.

How do you decorate a cinder block wall exterior?

How to Brighten an Outdoor Cinder Block Wall Paint It. The easiest way to brighten a cinder block wall in your garden or yard is to paint it. Hang Planters. Whether your exterior cinder block wall surrounds your patio or garden, hanging decorative planters on the surface can definitely brighten it up. Add Mirror. Light It.

How do you hide cinder block foundation?

Cover your concrete block foundation with stucco. This is a very easy construction alternative to hide a block foundation. You simply mix up stucco — a mixture of Portland cement, lime, fine sand and water — and apply it over the blocks with a trowel.

Is Drylock good for basement walls?

Drylok is a product that is used to stop water seepage on interior masonry walls. It is supposed to seal basement foundations, primarily block foundations but I’ve seen it on concrete as well. Of course, the reason you need to seal any basement foundation is because the foundation is porous.

How do you cover a cinder block basement wall?

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.

How do you paint the outside of a cinder block?

Typical exterior house paints will never adhere to masonry surfaces, such as bricks or cinder blocks. Instead, you must begin with a block filler primer. This thick, goopy paint soaks into all the pores and seals them, so that you have a solid, durable surface that your exterior paint can adhere to.

How do you clean cinder blocks before painting?

Use a power washer to remove dirt and any flaking paint; scrub stubborn areas with a wire brush. Allow the wall to dry. Fill in any large cracks with an acrylic caulk.

What kind of primer should I use on concrete?

Acrylic/Latex: Because concrete is porous, a water-based or acrylic primer is more likely to soak into the concrete than an oil-based primer, bonding to the substrate and allowing the paint to grip the surface. These primers will also reduce the dust on interior concrete.

How do you keep paint from peeling off concrete?

Coat all areas of bare concrete with a suitable primer, such as Behr Concrete & Masonry Bonding Primer. That needs to cure at least eight hours. Then you can paint with a product designed for exterior concrete, such as Behr Premium Plus Porch & Patio Floor Paint.

Can you paint cement walls in basement?

Use a nap roller or even a paint sprayer to help you apply the concrete paint to the surface of the concrete walls in your basement. After you feel you have applied enough concrete paint to seal in the surface, you then have the option of applying a topcoat.

What paint finish is best for basements?

Expert painters will use a top-quality latex primer and acrylic latex paint in a glossy finish. A latex primer will provide a uniform finish and glossy paint will ensure that walls and ceilings resist basement moisture.

Do I need to seal my basement walls before finishing?

Nothing will ruin a beautiful remodeling job like soaked carpets, moldy drywall and damaged furniture so it is essential that a basement be fully waterproofed before any finishing work begins.