Concrete block exterior finish ?

[lilbill]

I'm building a 40x60 concrete block shop and after it's up my budget will be down to pennies . I would like to finish it on the inside and outside and so far it looks like I'll use a drylock primer covered in latex paint on the interior but I don't have a plan for the exterior. Something with an R value would be nice but coverage,price and durability are must haves. I'm in the mid south so AC is more of an issue than heating although we do have about a month or so of near freezing weather every year. What have others used that they could recommend ?

 

[pressure teck]

My blocks should be laid in a few weeks. I am also wondering what the best thing to do on the exterior walls. I am in the south also.

 

[DTE]

I have a 30 x 70 block building that I have ha for about 35 yrs. I have done it all, paint seal, scrape, pressure wash several times over the years. I have had the best results painting the outside with 3 coats of latex Kilz 2 and it holds up the best. No peeling or flaking and it seals the block good. I know it is a primer and is supposed to be topcoated but it has held up better than $45.00 a gallon paint

 

[CTyankee]

Don't know if you're already locked in to the block construction yet. If not you may want to check out a foam core wall. Wall and insulation all in one step.

http://sipcrete.com/

We did a residential foundation using this system. Even managed to get our regular foundation crew to do the job...with a little on site supervision. Supposedly this type of wall is used in big box store construction..

 

[kbs2244]

The big box stores use one of the various textured otuside surface block and then paint for accent.
The improved look over the smooth surface is wiorth the extra cost.
You may even skip the painting.

 

[willymakeit]

SIP is a good system. Home owner can do it. If your looking for r-value , what are the block cores going to be filled with? Problem with block is what's referred to as thermal siphon thru the webs. In my opinion furr the outside and cover with a foam layer, reason for covering outside is to stop the heat or cold there.
If your primary reason is cooling, heat goes to cold , think thermal sink. Best approach is foam inside and out with perlite/vermiculite in the cores.
If you do foam on the outside put an EFIS coating on it and forget it.
Just my opion.