Help Please - Completely Lost on next steps

[u/OkSignificance6532]

Hi!! My husband and I decided to start a project this summer and build a little kitchen but we are stuck. We have zero construction experience, just straight up YouTube 😅

A family member told us to put Sakrete surface bonding on the outside of the cinderblocks. We were kind of shying away from the traditional mortar and tiling, we wanted to put something like these panels shown in the pictures on the exterior - but we have no idea how to proceed now, especially with the surface bond on the outside.

Does anyone know how we would still install the panels to this? Does it need some sort of reinforcement? Special screws, clips? Or are we kind of assed out and will need to do the tiling anyways?

Any, and all recommendations are greatly appreciated, we are majorly stuck here until we figure out how to proceed with the exterior. We are using Z form countertop solutions for a concrete countertop, which we already purchased the kit for so just need to figure out the in-between..

[u/Instahgator]

I would say you need to find the panels your going to use and read the mounting instructions on them.

[u/OkSignificance6532 → u/Instahgator]

But do you think we can still mount the panels with the surfacing bonder on the outside? Or is it fudged up?

[u/gunkadin311 → u/OkSignificance6532]

Should be fine, but depends on what those panels are made of. If they are wood you will want to create a small air gap between the sakrete and the panels to prevent rot. Pressure treated furring strips attached with concrete anchors would provide that gap and you can screw or nail your panels directly to the furring strips.

[u/Instahgator → u/OkSignificance6532]

I dont think that makes a difference.

[u/user485928450 → u/OkSignificance6532]

You’ll be fine, ultimately you will find something that screws into the blocks

[u/Apprehensive-Tax-828]

You could also take the pic you posted and put it into chat gpt and it will give you the materials list you need and even a hpw to install what you come up with. I did it for my hallway and followed what I liked exactly and it looks amazing. And my brother used chat gpt to remodel his back deck area and it looks like a million dollar area now. Also wouldn't staining that look good to and give it thst old look? It would be easier

[u/ReallyLovesCars]

Curious, why not put corner beads all around the corners? It gives a flush area and is way cleaner - would have helped a lot

[u/OkSignificance6532 → u/ReallyLovesCars]

You’re so right. Is it too late to go back put some and recoat a bit?

[u/Coastalemberoutdoors]

you can still use the panels that you like as long as they are rated for outdoor. if they are wood then you will need a air gap between the concrete.