If you have an interior brick wall in your home that’s unsightly, you might want to cover it up with drywall. To hang drywall on a brick surface:
- Start by measuring and cutting the first piece.
- Add evenly spaced globs of drywall compound to the back of the drywall. The compound will act as an adhesive to hold the wall in place.
- Place the drywall on the brick surface and use masonry nails driven into the mortar to hold the sheet in place until the compound dries.
- Once the drywall compound has set, finish the job like you would any drywall by using joint compound and tape to cover joints and nail holes.
Watch this video to find out more.
Will this process work to adhere drywall to a cement wall?
Help! I have a home built in 1942 it’s all cement and cinder blocks. I wanted to do a walkin shower meaning using a wall instead of a door or currant. Here’s the tricky part, I have radiant heat floors throughout the cement floors from 1942 so I can secure a brick wall to floor. How can I do this? Remember this would be in place of a shower door or shower curtain so we may lean on it… Please please help! I’ve been told to build a wood frame but again can’t secure it to the floor.
First question : what would cause ceiling cracks that starts in one room ( such as the dinning room ) and runs into the living room and circle a ceiling fan? Is something terrible going on with my house ?
I have a common brick house built in 1928. The interior has no wood frame and the plaster on the inside was applied directly to the brick exterior wall. I recently removed the built in cabinets and the paneling that was placed over the plaster. Unfortunately, the plaster has basically turned into powder. However there are areas that are intact. What do you suggest as a remedy to this problem? I know that drywall will mold if put directly on the brick as brick has to be able to “breathe” if it gets wet and it will where I live. Thus, the drywall will get wet. Should I just replaster the entire wall? I’m at a huge loss and your expertise and experience is welcomed. I look forward to your response. Thank you so much!
Hi, Talia,
Re-plastering is certainly a valid option. If you want drywall, just treat it like a basement – apply a moisture barrier over the existing brick, then fur out the wall with treated wood using foam board insulation between furring strips. Then install drywall over the furring strips.
Good luck!
Hi, I am trying to lay drywall in my garage over existing painted concrete bricks. Your process sounds like it is the best and probably the easiest but I am wondering about moisture and the drywall. I do live Phoenix and it is really dry but it is the garage which isn’t inside the house so it will be exposed to the elements a little. I guess what I am asking is should I be worried about the drywall getting wet from the brick and getting moldy?
Hi, Patrick,
Great question! We have forwarded it to the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show’s producer.
He will contact you soon to discuss featuring it during an upcoming show.
Take care!
1920’s brick home…. I have an exterior upstairs bedroom wall that is plaster and lathe. The plaster was removed to check for moisture…all is well. Now the owner wants drywall over the lathe. Installing drywall directly over the lathe will not have insulation between the lathe and the brick wall so that is not a viable option. Instead, can I extend the existing 2 x 3 studs on the brick (that the lathe is attached to) to accomodate some insulation, then add the drywall? If so, what kind of insulation options are there? Thanks.
Hi, Tracy!
We’re always looking for homeowners to call into our radio show and ask questions directly to Danny and Joe. We’ve reviewed your question and shared it with our radio producer, Marc, for consideration.
Need immediate help? Connect one-on-one with a home improvement pro immediately through JustAnswer, a Today’s Homeowner partner: http://justanswer.9pctbx.net/c/2342074/565926/9320
Take care. 🙂
I would like to hang drywall over my brick fireplace using this exact method. Would I be able to hang a tv over the fireplace on the drywall or would the bond not be strong enough to support a tv?
Hi, Kevin. We don’t recommend hanging a TV above a gas or wood-burning fireplace.
Installation isn’t the biggest concern (you would just drill into the masonry behind the drywall); the hot surface is.
If the temperature doesn’t get too high (exceeding 100 degrees) where you want to hang the TV, you should be OK.
Otherwise, only hang a TV above a freestanding electric fireplace if it’s specifically designed for TVs.
Happy home improving!
Should I prepare the brick before I put the drywall and join compound on it? Should I wet it? Dust it? Sand it? Seal it? My bricks are from 1880. There was plaster on it before but it has since broken off.
Thank you.
-Josh
Hi, Joshua. Use some TSP (trisodium phosphate) to clean the brick. Follow the instructions on the label for diluting it. A good scrub of this will remove any plaster remnants, and your brick will be ready for the drywall.