How Do I Choose the Best Concrete Porch Paint?

Once you have decided on a color for your concrete porch paint, you should get your porch ready to paint, which can include applying a concrete primer or sealer. You can then decide between a concrete paint that is water, oil, or epoxy based. Keep in mind, though, that each of these types of concrete paint have their advantages and disadvantages. If your porch will be getting wet from rain or snow, you should also consider using a slip-resistant concrete floor paint.

One of the first things that you should consider when shopping for concrete porch paint is what color you want your porch to be. It should blend in well with the existing colors of your home, as well as the colors of the neighboring homes. If you are having trouble choosing a paint color, neutral colors, like gray or brown, are usually best. White paint should be avoided, since it will show dirt and grime, and black paint is also not usually recommended, since it can get very hot in the summer sun.

Once you have decided on a color, you can the begin to prep your concrete porch. Any old paint should be removed, especially if it is bubbling, peeling, or cracking. You may also need to apply a concrete primer or waterproof concrete sealer, especially if there is moisture seeping up to the surface of the concrete. To find out if you need to prime or seal concrete, you can place tape on all sides of a piece of clear plastic and stick it to the concrete, creating a seal. After a few days, if there is condensation on the inside of the plastic, you will most likely need to seal the concrete.

Several types of concrete porch paint are available. Water-based concrete paint is typically the easiest and least expensive to apply. It will usually be less durable than oil-based or epoxy concrete paint, though.

Oil-based paint is generally a much more durable concrete porch paint. It is less likely to peel, fade, or bubble than water-based paint, but it is also a bit more expensive. Epoxy concrete paint is generally the most durable type of paint for concrete, but it is also somewhat expensive. If you use epoxy paint, also keep in mind that you will need to mix two compounds together thoroughly.

If you have an open-air porch, it will most likely get rained on. To prevent the surface from becoming dangerously slippery, you should consider using a slip-resistant concrete porch paint. These types of paints are mixed or covered with a coarse, gritty type of sand that provides traction.