I’m looking for a wall finish for existing CMU walls in a dorm. I want something that will breathe, and cover the CMU courses. Any ideas?
1/4-inch gypsum board adhesively attached. Taped and finished like thicker panels, then painted.
I’ve had good experience with Duroplex from Triarch - http://www.triarchinc.com/products.asp in psych hospitals, dormitories, military facilities, labs, etc.
I once worked for an architecture firm that used Flexi-Wall Systems “Plaster in A Roll” as a decorative finish over CMU. It is a jute wall covering impregnated with gypsum plaster. A special adhesive adheres it to the CMU and crystallizes the plaster, making a very hard surface available in a couple different textures that can be painted with standard latex paint.
It makes a very durable, uniform finish. This firm specified it in prisons and rec centers among other applications.
Tnemec has a few products that would work - not necessarily inexpensive, but very durable. Contact your local Tnemec rep.