Should I Paint That? Exterior Floors
Did you know that your dull, gray concrete porch, patio, steps, pool deck, and garage floor don’t have to be so plain? That’s right! You can paint these exterior floors to give them some color and texture that’ll make your home stand out.
But before you start applying paint, there are some important things to know, so you get long-lasting results.
The first things to consider are the type and amount of traffic your exterior floors get. For example, the steps from your garage to your home will get frequent foot traffic, whereas your concrete patio might get moderate foot traffic. Both of these are different from the traffic your garage floor will get. These facts will help you choose the right can of paint for the job.
After considering the traffic, you’ll need to clean the exterior surface. There might be old paint or sealant, grease, and oil, dirt and grime. All of these contaminants need to be removed, otherwise, the paint will not adhere properly and will chip and peel easily.
In addition to cleaning the exterior surface, you might also need to acid etch or mechanically abrade the concrete surface if it’s too smooth. Paint will not adhere well to smooth surfaces because it won’t have much to hang onto. Acid etching removes the topmost surface of concrete leaving a grippier surface for the paint to cling to.
Once the surface is clean, you can apply your paint. But the question becomes, what paint to use. There are a few ways to color concrete. You can stain concrete with an acid-based stain, or you can apply concrete paint, which is usually water-based latex paint. Acid-based staining causes a reaction between the stain and the salt in the concrete that permanently changes the color of the concrete. It won’t chip away. Concrete paint does not react with the concrete; it simply adheres to the surface.
We’re going to focus on water-based latex paints because they’re much easier to apply, they’re cheaper, and they provide a wider selection of colors. Stains on the other hand have a limited selection of colors, and it’s difficult to predict how the stain will react with the concrete since some concrete can be different causing variability in the color.
How do you choose the right paint for the project? Consider the amount and type of traffic. If you’re painting your garage floor, you’ll need paint that can withstand the heat of hot tires as well as corrosive chemicals like grease, oil, and gasoline. You might also want a paint that contains aggregate for better grip. There are specific paints designed for concrete garage floors.
If you’re painting a patio, walkway, stairs, porch, or pool deck, then you can try concrete porch paint. This acrylic latex paint is designed to resist UV damage, fading, and peeling. You will want to think about slipping, as well. For example, the pool deck can be slippery when it gets wet, so including an aggregate will be safer than using paint that could make the surface even slicker.
Once you’ve chosen your paint, make sure the surface is dry, and it’s at least 50℉. You can then begin applying the paint with a paintbrush and roller. Always consult the manufacturer’s directions for your specific product. Many concrete paints already contain primer, so you probably won’t need to worry about that.
Let the paint dry for 24 hours before applying a second coat. After the second coat, allow for the full drying time before walking or driving on it. Then you can enjoy your colorful new concrete.
If you’re interested in having your exterior floors painted professionally, we’re happy to help! You can learn more about our exterior painting services here or contact us directly for a free quote.
