If you live in a mild climate, painting may not be an issue. However, if you use your patio a lot or deal with harsh winters, staining may be the better option. No matter what you choose, you'll end up with an updated, unique patio that you'll enjoy using for years to come.
Paints on concrete will eventually peel, as well, whether the surface is indoors or outdoors. If you're determined to paint your concrete to add color, opt for a paint with a urethane resin. Porch paint is the best choice.
Best Colors for Outdoor Concrete Patios
If you want a patio that looks clean and simple, standard gray is a good bet. If you'd like your outdoor concrete patio to fade into your landscape more, a modern rust color can give the patio an earthy-look without drawing the eye to it too closely.
The most popular finish is clear, but concrete stain colors include white, brown and gray. You can also purchase a tintable base to match dozens of popular hues. Concrete stain can be used on patios, walkways and pool decks. It can even be used inside for mudrooms, laundry rooms or basements.
You can fix spalling — a patchy and pitted surface — with a concrete resurfacer and patch small pits and cracks with a concrete repair mix. While a resurfacer contains bonding agents that allow it to bond to the concrete, you'll need to apply a scratch coat or liquid bonding agent before using a repair mix.
The right outdoor paint for concrete and patios will go on great and last long. The different types of outdoor paint for concrete and patios are specialty paints that are made to protect your exterior surfaces while making them look their best.
The simplest way to make your patio look nice is to decorate with as much care and attention as you would any indoor space. Add stylish outdoor furnishings such as a dining table and chairs, pair of loungers, or an outdoor couch covered in weatherproof fabric that would look as good in your living room.
A bonding agent (bonding adhesive) needs to be painted onto the existing concrete first to ensure that the fresh concrete will successfully adhere. This is also true of floor repairs, if concrete is used to fill gaps caused by damage. The new won't adhere to the old without the help of a bonding adhesive.
You can put new concrete over old concrete, however, there are many times you will not want to, including: If there is a door or staircase that would be in the way of adding a few inches of cement. Tree roots are in the way, causing the existing concrete to lift or move.
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.
Another way how to color concrete is with acrylic paint by mixing it into the wet mix. Acrylic paint can be a cheap way to color concrete crafts. The same goes for using latex paint for coloring concrete.
Although the terms cement and concrete often are used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel or crushed stone; the paste is water and portland cement.
On average, the cost of building a patio can be as high as $5,300, depending on size and materials used. That said, it's estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%.
The ideal choice for both residential and commercial applications. QUIKRETE® Concrete Resurfacer provides an economical alternative to removing and replacing existing old, spalled concrete.
Some say that a concrete patio may last as long as 30 -50 years. However, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, the climate's yearly freeze/thaw cycles shorten concrete's life expectancy. Still, the average 25 years lifespan is a long time.
Using a concrete stain is a much better method to color a concrete patio. Stain actually penetrates the surface of the concrete instead of just coating the surface as paint does. There are many tinting colors available. Greens and browns are also commonly used to accent or blend with landscaping.
The right color can enhance the personality of your living area, while the wrong one can make it feel claustrophobic. When selecting a color for your patio, choose one that is in harmony with your project's style and color scheme, fits in with your current landscaping and makes sense for how you'll use the space.
Hairline cracks that are only seen from inside the home or on the surface of patios and sidewalks are generally safe and can be filled to prevent water from entering the area, causing further deterioration.