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.
Pros: Why You Should Totally Seal a Concrete Patio
Improves Ability to Repel Moisture – A sealer closes the absorbent pores of concrete, keeping any moisture at the surface. This helps prevent spalling that is often caused by freeze-thaw cycles. It also helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the patio.
As previously stated, concrete is porous and can absorb moisture. If you are painting interior concrete, it is vital to seal it. This will prevent moisture from seeping in underneath the paint and causing mold. Use a masonry sealer and follow the manufacturer's directions on how many layers to apply and when.
Concrete outdoor surfaces can face a lot of wear and tear over time. A fresh coat of paint can provide a welcome makeover. The best concrete paint or stain conceals discolorations and signs of damage. It also provides a protective coating that extends the life of the surface.
Acrylic sealers are easy to apply, inexpensive, and well-suited for outdoor use because they are UV resistant, nonyellowing, and provide good water repellence while allowing moisture vapor within the slab to escape. If you don't want a shiny surface, select a penetrating sealer.
If you're looking for a more durable option, you may want to consider an epoxy coating. Epoxy is a solid material that provides excellent protection against wear and tear. It's also resistant to water damage and available in various colors and finishes.
Concrete performs quite adequately if it is never sealed at all, but applying a good quality sealer every few years will extend its life and keep it looking good.
All you need is paint and a roller to complete the job. Because paint is opaque, it can also cover up discolorations and stains on your existing concrete pad. The con of painting concrete is that it is not nearly as durable as staining. Over time, the paint can fade and chip away.
A major pro of paints is that they come in many different colors, not just natural tints, so you can completely customize your outdoor flooring. However, know that paints do require reapplication and may peel or flake, especially if the patio is exposed to full sun, precipitation and foot traffic.
How long does paint on concrete last? To make the substance adhere to porous concrete surfaces, some brands also recommend using an etching primer. Most brands recommend that, based on application, you add a fresh coat every 3-5 years.
Left unsealed, the colors will fade, water marks may be an issue, and stains can penetrate leaving ugly oil spots where the service guy left his old jalopy parked on the driveway. It's pure and simple, the job just won't last without a good sealer.
'Epoxy based or masonry paint is the most suitable choice for a concrete patio, as they are durable and resistant to wear, weather, and moisture. ' A product like this Rust-oleum 225359 Epoxy Shield paint in gray from Amazon would be suitable.
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.
Sealing concrete also enhances its appearance, giving it a much smoother and better-looking surface, which ultimately increases the value of your property. Overall, there are numerous advantages that come with properly sealing your concrete surface - not least of which is time saved on costly repairs!
Acrylic Concrete Sealers: Acrylic sealers last 1-3 years before they need to be re-coated. Epoxy Coatings: Epoxy coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated. Urethane Coatings: Urethane coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated.
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.
One of the biggest problems with painting your concrete garage floor is that paint wears off easily. Whether you're parking your car in the garage or just walking around on your floors, that paint will start to chip and flake away. There's a reason we don't paint any of the rest of the floors in our houses.
Painting and sealing your concrete floors can increase their durability, extend their lifespan, and transform your spaces. However, there's more to this task than simply pouring paint over your floors and hoping for the best.
While painting concrete can last several years, you must use a high-quality product engineered for concrete surfaces. A cementitious coating will yield the best results. It's important to remember to seal your concrete to ensure long-lasting color and durability to the elements.
You may be surprised at some of the benefits of painting concrete, which include: Concrete is very porous. Sweeping a concrete floor is difficult, since the dust builds up in cracks and crevices. Once you've painted your concrete floor, however, you can get rid of the dust and maintain a pristine environment.
Another reason some homeowners opt for paint is that it can cover up concrete that has seen better days. This coat of paint provides a layer of protection for the cement, but the opaque qualities of concrete paint can also cover discoloration and stains due to grease, oil, or other factors.
It's Never Too Late …
Sealing your garage floor might not be possible if you have moisture in your garage. This is typically the only scenario where we don't recommend sealing right away, mainly because you should deal with the cause of the moisture first. It could be due to a plumbing leak or a drainage issue.
If you want to clean your concrete, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should use a pressure washer or other high-pressure water source to remove stains such as oil and grease. When using a pressure washer, be careful not to damage the sealer on your driveway by putting too much pressure on it.
Acrylic topical coatings have the shortest lifespan, needing re-applied every 1-3 years. Epoxy and urethane systems last between 5-10 years, closer to 5 if the surface experiences heavy traffic.