How can I make my concrete basement walls look better?

how to cover concrete walls in a basement
  1. using drywall and paint to cover concrete walls. ...
  2. painting the concrete or block wall. ...
  3. Brick veneer panels for basement walls. ...
  4. cover your walls with real barnboards. ...
  5. combination weathered wood and painted drywall. ...
  6. use wallpaper to finish your basement walls.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everything-about-concrete.com


What can I cover my concrete basement walls with?

Drywall. The most common way to cover concrete walls in a basement is drywall, a.k.a. sheetrock. Drywall comes in panels panels made from calcium sulfate dihydrate or “gypsum.” Panels come in different thicknesses and sizes, the most common being 4′ x 8′ x 1/2″ thick.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on gambrick.com


How can I cover my basement walls cheaply?

Fortunately, you can cover basement foundation walls quickly and inexpensively. Attach wood furring strips, Z-shape channels, or 2x4 studs to flat, dry masonry walls, then add insulation and cover the strips or studs with drywall.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bhg.com


How do you finish a concrete basement wall?

  1. Seal the Wall. Use a paint roller to apply the masonry waterproofing product you choose. ...
  2. Install Blocking Between Joists. ...
  3. Snap Lines on the Floor. ...
  4. Assemble the Walls on the Ground. ...
  5. Tip Up the Walls. ...
  6. Plumb the Wall and Secure the Top Plate. ...
  7. Build Out Around Windows.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on familyhandyman.com


How do you cover interior concrete 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hunker.com


How do I cover my ugly, damp basement walls?



How can I cover my basement walls without drywall?

Finishing Basement Walls Without Drywall: Options and...
  1. Paint.
  2. Basement Panels.
  3. Wood Fiberboard.
  4. Fabric.
  5. Vinyl and Wallpaper.
  6. Stone Veneer.
  7. Pargeting.
  8. Exposed Brick.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on weekendbuilds.com


Can you put wall panels on concrete walls?

If you are looking for ways to finish your basement, you may be considering paneling your concrete walls. One of the quickest ways to panel the basement or other cement walls is to glue the paneling directly to the cement. Paneling can be glued to cement.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hunker.com


Is it OK to paint basement concrete walls?

I am talking about do not paint your foundation walls like concrete, brick, and block. Remember, most foundation walls allow lots of moisture and humidity into your basement. Many paints are not strong enough to hold back the hydrostatic pressure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on crawlspaceninja.com


What is the cheapest way to finish an unfinished basement?

You can save on the cost to finish a basement by doing things not bound by codes: installing trim or doors, painting walls and woodwork, and installing flooring, says Buckeye Basements' Jon Smith. Beyond that, count on using some pros.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on geico.com


What can you put on cement walls?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bhg.com


How do you make an old basement look good?

10 Affordable Ideas for Your Unfinished Basement
  1. 10 Ideas for your Unfinished Basement.
  2. 1 | Hide Mechanicals. ...
  3. 2 | Install Electrical Outlets. ...
  4. 3 | Deep Clean the Basement. ...
  5. 4 | Add Overhead Lighting. ...
  6. 5 | Paint the Exposed Ceiling. ...
  7. 6 | Paint the Basement Walls. ...
  8. 7 | Paint the Basement Concrete Floors.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on buildingbluebird.com


Is finishing the basement worth it?

Many people wonder if finishing their basement is worth the time, effort, and money to remodel their downstairs space. To answer that directly, yes, finishing your basement will almost always increase the value of your property. The standard return is around 70%, according to Remodeling.HW.net.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on moreforlessstl.com


Should you use DRYLOK on basement walls?

Once the basement is completely dry, all the holes are plugged and the windows and doors are caulked, it's time to paint the walls with a waterproof sealer. DRYLOK® Extreme Masonry Waterproofer is the perfect solution to stop water infiltration through basement walls, and it's easy to apply.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drylok.com


What kind of paint is best for basement walls?

Why painting a basement wall is trickier than you think
  • Step 2: Once you've primed the surface of the walls, allow it to dry before adding your paint.
  • Step 3: Choose an oil-based or latex paint to prevent mold growth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on 21oak.com


How do you paint concrete block basement walls?

Apply the first coat of paint by cutting in around the edges of the wall with a paintbrush and also between each joint of the cinder block. You want to paint the joints with a paintbrush because it is challenging to paint with a roller, and every pore of the cinder block needs to be covered.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on twofeetfirst.net


Can you put shiplap over concrete walls?

We used our new plywood base to enable us to install shiplap over a concrete wall. Below you'll find a full material & tools list, along with the method that worked for us.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on foxhollowcottage.com


What can I use to cover walls instead of drywall?

Drywall Alternatives
  • Wood Planks. Wood planks are an age-old drywall alternative that has certainly stood the test of time well. ...
  • Veneer Plaster. ...
  • Lath & Plaster. ...
  • Plywood and Sheet Wood. ...
  • Texture Wall Panels. ...
  • Brick & Masonry. ...
  • Exposed Concrete Block. ...
  • Cement Board.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on worstroom.com


What is the best product for sealing basement walls?

When sealing basement floors and foundation walls the best concrete sealers to use are the Lithi-Tek 4500 primer followed by the Siloxa-Tek 8510 waterproofing sealer. If you are going to be installing flooring in the basement, it is best to use a moisture vapor barrier coating like the Vapor-Tek 440.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ghostshield.com


Does Flex Seal work on basement walls?

Flex Seal Liquid is thicker than paint and dries into a strong, rubberized coating. It can also help seal out air, water, and moisture and is chemical and mildew resistant - making it a great choice for your basement walls.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on flexsealproducts.com


Can you epoxy basement walls?

Basement wall epoxy coating will prevent leaking from basement walls as well as high humidity and increased water vapor. We offer a wide variety of custom colors.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mybasementdoctor.com


Why don't people finish their basements?

New homeowners have their financial limits when it comes to adding any “nice-to-haves”. This may be a reason why basements are often left unfinished. Yet homebuyers have many reasons to extend that extra money to finish this often-neglected part of the home.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on openjoisttriforce.com


What is a Yankee basement?

They call it a “Yankee basement” or, well, sometimes a “root cellar,” where basically you take the interior perimeter of the foundation wall, move in about 2½, 3 feet and then dig down there. So you leave this sort of berm of soil to support the foundation that's under the footing.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on moneypit.com