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How to Make Things Stick to Cinder Block Walls
Classroom teachers across the country are often faced with decorating restrictions due to fire codes and school rules. For years, they have also tried to figure out how to hang stuff on cinder block walls in the classroom. That can present quite the challenge when a teacher is trying to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for their students complete with posters, signs, artwork and other displays. After all, it can be a little dreary to stare at blank cinder block walls day in and day out.
Fortunately, there are some great strategies for adhering posters, signs, banners, student artwork and other items to the walls in your classroom. The following cinder block walls decorating tips should work, individually or in combination, for just about any wall. Try them out and your classroom will be decorated in no time!
(Photo by _bekahhogue/flickr)
Tip #1: Hot Glue Gun
A low-temperature hot glue gun is a great tool for getting posters, banners, trimmers and other classroom decorations to stick to the cinder block walls. At the end of the year, the glue pulls off easily from the wall and does not do any damage.* Simply peel the glue back slowly from the wall when you want to take something down. A sturdy scraping tool, like a thin edge of a ruler, can help if the glue doesnât come off easily.
Always use caution and only use the hot glue gun when students are gone for the day. Make sure to unplug it after youâre done using it too!
*If the paint on your classroom walls is old and flaking, there is a chance that the glue could peel some of the paint off when it is removed. Test in a small, inconspicuous spot before decorating the whole classroom!
How to Make Things Stick to Cinder Block Walls (Photo by Mark Tighe/flickr)
Tip #2: Sticky or Blu Tack
Remember that blue, sticky putty that you saw fleetingly during teacher training? That was Sticky or Blu Tack. It is a reusable, synthetic rubber compound that can be stretched and manipulated to just the shape you need. While it traditionally comes in blue, the blue coloring can leave a bit of a residue (especially if you use a generic brand) so you may want to try the white depending on the color of your classroom.
The great thing about Sticky or Blu Tack is that itâs so easy to use. Even just a small dot of the putty is fairly strong, so a little goes a long way. If you use laminated classroom posters or signs, the putty will easily come off so you can rehang them in the future.
Tip #3: Stikki-Clips
Stikki-Clips were specially designed to adhere to any surface, so theyâre perfect for decorating cinder block walls. They make switching out anchor charts, classroom posters and studentsâ work throughout the year a breeze. The unique adhesive is even good for painted surfaces, and the clips can be re-used again and again. Stock up on a few packs over the summer and you should be set for the whole school year.
Tip #4: Display Strips
Self-sticking display strips like âCling Thing Display Stripsâ are removable strips that adhere to walls, doors, metal, plastic, cinder block walls and more. They allow you to display posters, anchor charts, student work, alphabet and number lines and other classroom essentials with ease. Some of them can even regain their stickiness with a light spritz of water! At the end of the year, they peel off without damaging the paint or surface behind them.
What are your favorite tips for getting things to stick to your classroomâs cinder block walls?
Velcro works on cinder blocks and peels off at end of year.
Michelesays
Command strips work well too! That’s the only thing I use now.
Laure Dotterweichsays
Also, Wall-Grip Hardwall Hangers for concrete, cinderblock and masonry are great for hanging things. I used it in my college dorm 25 years ago and now use them in my classroom on the cinderblock walls. You hammer the hanger into the wall and it puts 4 small pins into the wall that are holding a plastic hook. The pins are so small, you don’t see the holes when you remove them but they are strong enough to hold and stay in the wall. There are different sizes and strengths. I got mine at Home Depot.
Pat Melvinsays
I’d be in “you know what” creek if I used a hot glue gun! The Sticki Clips that you all sell work fantastic & can be reused again & again, as do the hooks that have the removable/replaceable sticky tapes. I love the Sticki Clips!!
I have often used a hot glue gun, but at times it has peeled paint not to mention burn my fingers! đ
I am very interested in the Stikki Clips that were mentioned as well as the display strips. Where would I go to find them?
Jensays
Stikki Clips hold wonderfully, but are almost impossible to completely remove off cinder block because the wax get down in every crevice.
shnewsomesays
Scotch Tough Duct Tape. Â It is the BEST. Â Works on cinder block with new paint and doesn’t peel.
Jeansays
Mavalus Tape – available on Amazon is the only thing that worked for my cinder block walls. I couldn’t believe that my posters and makeshift bulletin board stayed up all year.
Mauvelous tape is amazing too!!!!
Velcro works on cinder blocks and peels off at end of year.
Command strips work well too! That’s the only thing I use now.
Also, Wall-Grip Hardwall Hangers for concrete, cinderblock and masonry are great for hanging things. I used it in my college dorm 25 years ago and now use them in my classroom on the cinderblock walls. You hammer the hanger into the wall and it puts 4 small pins into the wall that are holding a plastic hook. The pins are so small, you don’t see the holes when you remove them but they are strong enough to hold and stay in the wall. There are different sizes and strengths. I got mine at Home Depot.
I’d be in “you know what” creek if I used a hot glue gun! The Sticki Clips that you all sell work fantastic & can be reused again & again, as do the hooks that have the removable/replaceable sticky tapes. I love the Sticki Clips!!
I have often used a hot glue gun, but at times it has peeled paint not to mention burn my fingers! đ
I am very interested in the Stikki Clips that were mentioned as well as the display strips. Where would I go to find them?
Stikki Clips hold wonderfully, but are almost impossible to completely remove off cinder block because the wax get down in every crevice.
Scotch Tough Duct Tape. Â It is the BEST. Â Works on cinder block with new paint and doesn’t peel.
Mavalus Tape – available on Amazon is the only thing that worked for my cinder block walls. I couldn’t believe that my posters and makeshift bulletin board stayed up all year.