How To Paint A Concrete Patio All Finished Up
And finally, a little later in the afternoon all dry.
Oh my goodness, it looks like a BRAND NEW PATIO!
40 never looked so good!
Using what we already had, we got the furniture back in place! I feel like every time Ive stepped out the door I am in sunny Florida and I LOVE it! uh even though it was in the 30s this morning, in MAY!
I need to paint the back door, maybe black or do you think it needs to be brighter??
I plan on painting the columns white like the bump out, and maybe thickening them up a bit and adding screens to screen it in from bugs and debris! The only other change I can foresee, I feel like the DIY plywood sofas need maybe a more colorful cushion selection and what about a prettier rug? Tell me in the comments what you think!
I am excited to plant our coffee table with some plants. I am craving green and beautiful living things!
So, I really think it is important to show you a before of the concrete
Just a little crack filling and paint later and BAM: After! The difference is not subtle, it is HUGE even though the color change is subtle.
Thank you to DRYLOK® for sponsoring this post, I am really excited to keep fluffing up this space, especially now that the foundation looks so clean! Please be sure to check out what we did to update the old cinder block fence at my parents house a few years ago also with DRYLOK®! Such a wonderful product! All opinions are my own!
Related Reading: More great ways to update a concrete patio!
About Cassity
How To Prep A Concrete Patio For Painting
To make sure the surface was prepped and free of debris and stains, we pressure washed the patio and got any old paint drips and staining off that we could. Seriously pressure washing old concrete is one of the most satisfying chores on the planet. It is amazing how much grime we got off! When we were done, we were left with this.
How To Paint A Concrete Patio Fill The Cracks
We had to do a ton of vacuuming to get up the dust that was everywhere! But we wanted to keep the patio clean throughout the process which ended up talking about a month+ between other projects Because the weather couldnt make up its mind. It literally snowed 4 times and to follow the manufacturers instructions, you need it to be dry AND a minimum temperature!
Anywho, we just kept plugging along. Next was filling the cracks, with DRYLOK® Concrete Patch. It took a bit to get it right, we actually ended up having to do two coats to fill in all the settling.
We ground down the crack filler afterward, but in hindsight we should have been a lot more careful applying it the first time, because grinding it smooth, did cause it to flake and break in some places. Ultimately, we just embraced it, and you will be shocked what the paint hides!
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Flies On My Patio
How To Use Patio Paint Outdoor
Shake well before using. Apply 1-2 coats depending on the opacity desired. Do not expose to moisture for 72 hours. Clean up with soap and water.
COVERAGE
The surface will determine how much paint is needed. However, the following approximations can be used: concrete – 2 ounce bottle covers 6-1/4 square feet, 8 ounce bottle covers 25 square feet, 32 ounce bottle covers 100 square feet.
TEMPERATURE CONSIDERATIONS
For best results, apply on outdoor surfaces if the air temperature is between 45 degrees F and 85 degrees F . Allow four hours drying time before exposing painted pieces to temperatures below 45 degrees F .
How To Paint A Porch Floor With Concrete Paint

One project that Ive thought about doing for years is updating my porch floor with concrete paint. This year I moved it up on the priority list and finally got it done. It has made such a tremendous difference that I cant believe I didnt do this sooner!
This is how it looked before. I had removed the furniture and power washed it about a week or two before I took this photo. You can hardly tell it was even power washed because the concrete was badly stained.
What You Will Need to Paint Concrete*:
Olympic Maximum Stain and Sealer in 2 contrasting shades
Ruler
One reason I waited so long to do this is that I wanted to do a good amount of research before choosing a concrete paint. Using something that would hold up to the elements and daily foot traffic was most important. I had used Behr granite grip on a small patch of concrete in my backyard and that has held up well for over a year. However, that is not the look I wanted for the front so I had to find something else.
My plan was to paint this to look like wood planks, much in the same way I did the painted shiplap wall in my bedroom. One day on Instagram I saw another bloggers video showing how well her painted concrete porch floor had held up after two years. After contacting her, I was confident with choosing the same paint she used. Its called Olympic Maximum and its actually a stain that comes in colors much like paint.
How to Paint Concrete:
Dont Miss This Trick!
Porch Decor
You May Like: How To Repair A Patio Umbrella
Choosing Concrete Stain Instead Of Paint
Choosing to stain the patio instead of painting it offers several benefits. Lets compare the two.Paint coats the concrete surface. The surface does not absorb it. This makes it easy to wear away. In the absence of a vapor barrier in an exterior surface, paint is more likely to bubble and flake. Problems may also occur depending on the weather of the area you reside in. Paint can become slippery and thus, become dangerous. Finally, if your patio is heavily used, the paint job will not last very long.
Stain, on the other hand, is absorbed by the concrete surface. This makes it less prone to wear and tear in comparison to concrete paint. It also maintains the texture of concrete making it less hazardous. It is definitely longer lasting and requires lesser maintenance than concrete paint. On the downside, staining is a relatively expensive procedure and is best done by hiring a professional. Also, the color options are more limited in this type of treatment.
Whatever option you choose, remember that regular maintenance is essential. If you are not confident enough to get the job done yourself, get it done professionally. It may cost a few extra bucks, but youll be stress-free and have a great looking porch by the end of it.
Cleaning Your Concrete Patio
Recommended Reading: How To Make A Paver Patio On A Slope
Choosing The Best Paint For Concrete Patios
When choosing a paint for a concrete patio, you should know that it is not as much the paint, as it is the painting process that determines how good the paint will look and how long it will last.
When choosing a paint for a concrete patio, you should know that it is not as much the paint, as it is the painting process that determines how good the paint will look and how long it will last.
The decision to paint a concrete patio immediately opens up a host of options about the desired final look. You can go from a dull gray to a stunning sky blue and breathe a whole new life into your patio. The tough part is choosing a good paint to make this visualization come alive. Here, we discuss which paint is best for a concrete patio, tips to make the paint last, and staining as an alternative to painting the floor.
Can Enamel Paint Be Used On Concrete
Enamel paintusedusedpaintpaintconcretecement
Masonry paint is a good choice for concrete painting because it contains binders that contract and expand with the concrete. Exterior house paint can crack and peel on concrete.
what is the best paint for outdoor concrete?
- Rust-Oleum Hammered Metal Finish Best Paint for Concrete Floors.
- Convenience Epoxy Best Paint for Concrete Driveways.
- Olympic Patio Tones Deck Coating Best Concrete Paint for Pool Deck.
- KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Concrete Paint Best Concrete Paint for Outdoors.
Subsequently, one may also ask, can regular paint be used on concrete?
Ordinary latex paint is well-suited for interior concrete walls. Use an eggshell or satin latex paint on concrete walls that aren’t exposed to much duress. If you plan to paint exterior concrete walls and fences, use an exterior acrylic paint that will hold up to ultraviolet light and harsh weather conditions.
What do you use enamel paint for?
Enamel paint is paint that air-dries to a hard, usually glossy, finish, used for coating surfaces that are outdoors or otherwise subject to hard wear or variations in temperature it should not be confused with decorated objects in “painted enamel“, where vitreous enamel is applied with brushes and fired in a kiln.
Read Also: Storage Box For Patio
Painted Concrete Patio Designs
Nothing can bring down an outdoor space more than a neglected concrete patio cracked and faded by the sun. The good news is that painting a sad concrete patio is a simple design fix that will cheer up your outdoor space with a little time and elbow grease and without a huge hit to your budget.
Just remember to resurface or repair any cracks before painting your patio using concrete-friendly paint. And don’t forget to treat your DIY painted concrete masterpiece to a regular cleaning to maintain its good looks.
Check out these painted concrete patio designs in a variety of stylesfrom bold stripes to eye-catching geometrics to faux cement-tile stenciled patternsto inspire your outdoor space makeover.
DIY and interiors blogger Hayley Stuart chose a graphic black-and-white stencil from Dizzy Duck Designs for her spacious backyard patio renovation project that sets the tone for her mix of boho chic outdoor furnishings and decor and makes the outdoor space feel as finished as any room in the house.
“One thing I must stress about anyone considering painting or stenciling their patio is that it is NOT a permanent solution and WILL require annual maintenance to keep it looking fresh,” Stuart writes on her blog in a follow-up post a year after she completed the makeover. “If youre prepared to put the work and time in, then I promise it is 100% worth it because it looks so effective.”
Continue to 2 of 15 below.
Hire A Professional To Paint Your Concrete Patio
A final note on painting your outdoor concrete patio: while many homeowners DIY this project, we strongly recommend hiring a professional. It might seem like just a concrete patio, but this painting project is actually tricky to execute properly. The prep work, especially, can be tough work for the average weekend warrior, and sealant and paint application must be done 100% correctly to ensure the life of the project.
A professional will also guarantee their work and finish the project quickly so you can get to enjoying your freshly painted outdoor concrete patio as soon as possible. Most will offer a free consultation, as well.
Also Check: Level A Patio
Sanding Concrete Walls And Ceiling
You will want to use a hand sander or orbital sander for sanding concrete walls.
Here are the steps in the process.
How To Paint Your Stamped Concrete Driveway And Patio

Standard concrete has been used for driveways, sidewalks, and patios for well over a century.
However, stamped concrete while essentially made from the same materials has different shapes, designs, and etchings that make it different.
What is stamped concrete?
Sometimes called patterned or imprinted concrete, stamped concrete is the result of rubber stamps that imprint the material with designs or patterns that resemble slate, tile, natural brick, and even planks of wood.
This form of concrete can be imprinted after it is poured over the ground or an existing concrete slab.
The stamping process allows the concrete to mimic other popular materials or have new, original patterns.
It is more expensive compared to standard concrete, but it is also more attractive and is quite popular for driveways, patios, pool-sides, and even interior spaces where concrete is used.
Painting these stamped concrete driveways make them even more attractive.
Plus, the paint also provides protection towards the everyday foot traffic it has to deal with.
Also Check: What To Do With Patio Furniture In A Hurricane
Preventing Peeling Paint On A Concrete Porch
Question: I have a concrete porch thats been painted several times. But the paint bubbles and peels off, leaving a mess. Each of the painters has said that this happens to concrete when you paint it over the winter. Im not sure that they are telling me the truth. How do I get the porch painted in the correct manner?
Silver Spring
Answer: A variety of issues could be at play here. First, you should determine whether moisture is coming up through the concrete from below. Tape a piece of relatively thick, clear plastic, such as a three-inch square cut from a reclosable plastic bag, to an area with no paint. If moisture droplets appear over the next day, youll need to strip off all the paint and switch to a coating that resists hydrostatic pressure. Rust-Oleums WaterTite-LV Waterproofing Concrete Masonry Paint is one example. Or you can coat the stripped surface with a concrete-resurfacing material, such as Quikretes Concrete Resurfacer, which can be tinted.
All of the above is fairly standard advice, so your painters may have done that. But they might not have realized some of the details that Mariah Sanchez, senior technical services representative for Behr, says are also important. First, when the paint label tells you what the temperature must be , its referring to the surface temperature of the concrete. That is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the air temperature. So for most water-based paints, the air temperature needs to be at least 60 degrees.
Best Waterproofer: Ugl Drylok Masonry Waterproof
If you live in an area with a lot of moisture, such as the Southeast or the Pacific Northwest, youll likely have moisture issues with garages and basements that are completely or partially below ground. This paint from UGL excels at keeping water out of these areas while also offering stain resistance.
This product is available in blue, white, gray, and beige, and will run about $40 a gallon depending on the seller. You can expect to cover around 75100 square feet per gallon, and two coats are recommended.
Price on Amazon: Starting at $41.79
*Pricing information as of 05/21/2020
Recommended Reading: Rectangular Gazebo Building Plans
Best For Basement Walls
Kilz Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint, good for interior and exterior and providing a water barrier that will hold back up to 12 PSI of water pressure to help keep your basement dry. Its made to work on a range of masonry walls, concrete block, stucco or brick. Apply two healthy coats with a 1/2-in. to 3/4-in. nap roller and you can clean up with soap and water. Note: Waterproof doesnt mean this is a solution to serious water problems in your basement. If youve got water infiltrating your basement walls youll need to solve that issue first, but this will provide some protection against moisture.