Thinking of painting your concrete porch or patio? It is almost spring and the weather is getting nice – time to think about outdoor living. Giving your porch or patio a fresh coat of paint can cheer things up and provide a welcome makeover. Sprucing up the exterior of your home always adds to the curb appeal! If your outdoor space is cement/concrete then there are a few things you need to know before you get started.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOR
Concrete paint comes in a rainbow of colors, so really there is no “right “color – your choices are unlimited! Like everything in your home, choose the color that reflects your lifestyle, decor and intended use for the outdoor space. However, you may want to consider a few things before you make your final choice.
- Light colors reflect heat, dark colors attract it
- The lighter the color the more likely to show wear and tear
- Trendy colors may look outdated before its time to repaint
Browns, grays and tans are the most popular colors for concrete. If you want a color that is clean and simple a standard gray is a good bet. For a more modern look a charcoal gray is a good selection. Jewel tones are vibrant and work well on a slab, but should coordinate with home’s exterior color.
The Best Time to Paint
When is the best time to paint? Luckily, in the south you can almost paint year round – avoiding extreme cold or rainy days. Everyone is always anxious to begin a project, but if you hire a professional let them be your guide as to the best days to prep and paint. If rain is in the forecast you will want to work around it. After all, you want the best possible outcome.
Get Ready to Paint
Step one is to pressure wash the area to remove dirt and grime. Apply a concrete cleaner/etcher and rinse well. Allow to dry thoroughly. This may take several days.
Step Two is to apply a concrete binding primer. This is a thin, milky product that should go on easily. Allow it to dry for at least 4 hours.
Next step…Paint! If you are painting a color similar to you home’s exterior color (or if you hire a professional) you may not need to tape things off, but you will have to use a brush around the edges. Now, get your rollers and paint!
Need a Professional?
Painting your concrete porch or patio? If you decide you need a professional for your porch/patio painting project let us help! Call Britt at (803) 603-6486 or e-mail ellisb@colatowenpainting.com) for a no-obligation estimate. Our professionals are ready to help you with any painting projects you have – and we do it with pride! If you decide to DIY we hope the information in this blog post is helpful to you!
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