Can I put sheetrock on a concrete wall, and if so, how?
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| Posted in General Questions on
We are retrofitting a basement and half of the wall is concrete. We want to finish with sheetrock.
Is this possible, and if so, how would I do this process?
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Replies
Concrete wicks moisture (this is why only treated wood can be fastened to concrete). Sheetrock needs to be kept dry to avoid mold growth and possible material degradation. So you would have to separate the concrete from the drywall with either treated wood furring or metal studs, or properly seal the concrete wall to prevent moisture migration. Even with sealing the concrete, I wouldn't fasten it directly to the concrete.
Asual,
Where is this building located? In most areas of the U.S. (in climate zones 3 through 8), building codes require the installation of basement wall insulation. According to the 2009 IRC, the minimum insulation required varies from R-5 continuous insulation in zone 3 to R-10 in zone 8.
If you live in zone 1 or zone 2, you can install pressure-treated furring strips and gypsum drywall to your basement wall, as Lyle suggested. If your basement is damp, it's probably a good idea to install paperless drywall like DensArmor Plus.
If you live in zone 3 or anywhere north of zone 3, you need to first insulate your basement wall with a continuous layer of rigid foam insulation (for example, polyisocyanurate). After the foam is installed with adhesive, attach vertical wood furring strips on top of the foam, using concrete fasteners like Tapcon fasteners. Then install your drywall or DensArmor Plus to the furring strips.