Framing is the standard method to create false walls.
Bare concrete or stone walls are poor insulators. In cold climates they will lose heat to the outside. In damp climates moisture can slowly seep through concrete blocks and create a damp interior with mold and mildew. Bare block walls are not aesthetically pleasing. If blocks are painted, the outline of the blocks shows through, and concrete walls are difficult to wallpaper. To improve the looks and insulating qualities of a block wall requires lining the wall by construction of a false wall or cover.
Instructions
Build the Frame
1. Measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling at one end of where you wish to cover the wall. Take the same measurement on one 2-by-4 length along the wall. Cut a 2-by-4 to the length of the first measurement, less the depth of two 2-by-4s. Measure and cut another 2-by-4 the same length.
2. Place a 2-by-4 on its side. This is the base. Nail it onto the end of the first 2-by-4 that was cut, to form a corner. Go to the other end of the base and nail on the second 2-by-4 to form another corner. Nail another 2-by-4 to the opposite ends of the two vertical pieces, forming a rectangle. The last 2-by-4 will be the top that will be raised to the ceiling.
3. Cut and fit studs. Standard stud spacing is 16 inches, from stud center to stud center. Measure from the end of the top and bottom pieces and mark with a pencil. Measure the first stud's length from the first pencil mark on the bottom to the first pencil mark on the top. Cut a stud to this length. Nail it in place. Repeat until the frame is filled. Cut stud braces to fit across each space between studs and nail these into place in a line halfway from the top to the bottom of the studs. If the wall is taller than the length of a sheet of drywall, a line of studs is needed at the point the first sheet of drywall will end.
4. Place plastic sheeting over the entire frame on the side that will face the block wall. This is the moisture barrier. Tack in place on the studs with the stapler and trim with the drywall knife.
5. Raise the frame up off the floor and slide it to the wall snug in the corner. The fit to the ceiling should be close. Nail the bottom to the floor with the nail gun. Nail the top to the ceiling if the material is appropriate; otherwise, nail the studs through diagonally to the blocks near the top.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 until the wall is covered. For the final section, measure the width of the top and bottom pieces. The sides of each frame should fit against each other fairly tightly and can be nailed together for additional strength.
Install the Drywall
7. Attach the drywall to the studs with drywall nails. Hammer them slightly down into the surface to create a slight dimple; this provides room for the drywall filler to cover them. If the drywall needs to be sized, measure the piece, mark it with a pencil, score along the pencil line with the drywall knife and metal ruler, then snap the waste piece off. Continue until all the frame is covered.
8. Cover the spaces between the drywall sheets with drywall tape. Cover over the tape and fill the nail dimples with drywall filler applied with the putty knife. Scrape across the dimples or down the tape. Try to end up as flat to the drywall as possible.
9. Let the filler dry completely. Sand flat. If required apply another layer and sand again. Any imperfections will be visible through paint.
10. Finish to taste. Drywall will take tiles, paint or wallpaper.
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