There's nothing like springtime to motivate us to get to work in the yard! And one of the ways we've decided to spruce up our home is by re-doing our back porch. We're fortunate in that we've got a terrific lot, and the backyard has about a million different kinds of trees and flowering shrubs. My azaleas and rhododendrons put on an unbelievable show this time of year. There's only one problem -- the dingy, tired old patio surface does nothing for our outdoor space. So in an effort to freshen up this area without spending a fortune, we decided to do some research on painting concrete floors.
There's a lot to know about painting concrete floors! First of all, you've got to learn about the products available and their different applications. For example, I found that we could use either a specialized paint or an acid stain for our project. Deciding which one to choose depends on the use of the space. For a garage floor, for example, it might be better to go with a cement-specific coating or sealer. These provide a hard, sealed surface that makes it easy to clean up spills (like that chronic oil leak from your old Subaru!). It's a good choice for a high-traffic, tough-use space.
Painting concrete floors isn't always just a practical solution, however. There are lots of products out there can turn a dull floor into something fabulous. I've seen examples of kitchen flooring painted to resemble tile, as well as bright colors being used to create the appearance of a rug. And many of the more high-tech paints are self-priming and only need one coat to get the job done.
Another option available is acid stain. This is a terrific choice if you're painting concrete floors simply to increase the beauty of your space. Acid stains work by adhering to specific minerals in the concrete and dying them, the same way you'd dye a piece of fabric. This process can give your floor the look and color of beautiful stone. And the stains provide a durable, low-maintenance finish that lasts.
The more reading I did, the more obvious it became that surface prep is a huge issue when you're painting concrete floors. None of the wide array of products can adhere the way they need to if the flooring isn't well prepped with a de-greasing cleaner. Some manufacturers even recommend lightly abrading the floor with sanding or a wire brush to get the best results.
Painting concrete floors is definitely a big job. I know my neighbor found a great contractor on the Internet to finish up her outdoor project. But a smaller space is something the do-it-yourselfer can tackle. I found stains, sealers, supplies and ideas on the Internet and at my local Lowe's and Home Depot. We finally settled on a rich, terra cotta colored stain, and now that we've finished our project, the back porch looks like something out of a decorating magazine!
