Detached Cinder Block Garage Renovation

Hey guys,

Noobie here. This is my first house and the detached cinder block garage is getting some attention this winter. I've been ripping out the old sheetrock and furring strips from the original owner. I'm also going to be ripping out the ceiling, it's moldy and crumbling.

The garage is going to be used as my workshop, however I don't plan on heating it. I also don't plan on replacing the ceiling - Just leaving it open to the truces to feel a little more open since its so small (20x11) and to make storage a little more accessible.

My main question is regarding the walls. Since I don't plan on heating the inside, is a vapor barrier or insulation recommended? I was planning on just redoing what the owner had previously done. Furring strips and sheetrock on top of that. But I'd like to prevent any mold from returning.

A friend told me to just glue plywood against the block walls, but that just doesn't seem smart to me.

Looking for some cost effective recommendations, thanks!

Photo of garage

Is your roof leaking? I'm not sure why the drywall would be moldy and crumbling unless it had gotten wet for an extended period of time..
Was the moldy and crumbling drywall only in certain areas or everywhere? I'm not sure looking at the photo..

Assuming the building doesn't leak anymore and you aren't heating it there is no point in putting in any kind of vapor barrier, especially if you leave the ceiling open.

What kind of work are you doing? You may be better off just cleaning and painting the block and leaving it that. Maybe put some strapping back up in certain areas (like over a work bench) and install plywood or OSB to allow you to easily attach things to the wall..

Yea it's quite possible the roof leaked. The house was a flip, and the entire roof was replaced just before I bought it. There were only a few spots crumbling and there was termite damage for sure. So I'll be having what remains treated.


I'll be storing my saws and other equipment in the garage. I definitely want to have a work table on one side with pegboard, and some storage on the other side. Nothing too crazy

Thanks for the quick reply Beemer

NP! Welcome to the Garage Journal BTW!

Sounds like the moisture problem has been solved with the new roof (hopefully)..

Whatever you decide to do, you shouldn't need to worry about a vapor barrier...

With a smaller space like this, I would want as much elbow room as possible, and not worrying about banging into the walls with pipe or 2x4 or whatever and damaging sheet rock. I would go with paint and the strapping and plywood/pegboard where you need it..

I used a 2" interlocking foam product with builtin plastic studs from InsoFast for my block garage renovation. Just use PL adhesive to fix the 2x4' panels to the walls. It's very easy to work with and provides about R10 and a vapor barrier. Electrical and plumbing channels are built in too. It took me about a day to do a 30x30'x11' garage with 4 windows and 2 doors by myself.

lookin good!

If this is brand new to you I have to suggest waiting at least a year to see what your problems are.
(Or are not)
Tear out the bad stuff.
Set up spme fans to air it all out.
And then see what you have to fix.