How to Paint and Stencil a Concrete Porch or Patio
Painting a concrete porch floor will make it and the space around it look so much better. Why not take it one step further and stencil a design over it to make it look like a tiled, stone or brick floor. Stenciling is not hard and is a very budget-friendly way to get the look of costly wallpaper, floor tile or even an area rug.
I have used an allover stencil to hide the imperfections on the walls in my guest bath and even used one on a shower door. I have also used an allover stencil to create the look of wallpaper in the foyer of my previous home.
Last week I had the opportunity to paint a concrete porch using floor paint and a stencil.
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My younger daughter asked for help in painting her porch floor that was in need of a makeover.
As you can see from the BEFORE photo above, the concrete porch floor had been painted grey at one time, but was worn and ready for a paint makeover.
So we got to work to give this floor a whole new look using paint and an allover stencil to make the floor look like it was tiled in a herringbone design.
What Kind of Paint Can Be Used on a Concrete Porch or Patio?
Not every type of paint can be used for concrete and patios. You don’t want to use exterior house paints on concrete as they tend to crack and peel over time.
The best paint for exterior concrete floors is paint that is made specifically for porch and patio floors. It is formulated for durability with binders that allow the paint to contract and expand with the concrete as the temperature changes.
Almost every major brand of paint makes a porch and floor paint that come in pre-mixed colors and that can also be made into any color you want.
For this previously painted and now worn concrete porch, we used two products from Valspar. One can of concrete primer and two colors of porch, floor and patio paint.
- Valspar Concrete Primer
- Valspar Latex Satin Porch, Floor and Patio Paint – Colors Used: Base Color: Mountain Smoke, Stenciled line color – Greyed
How Long Does Concrete Paint Last Outside?
Most major brands of paint nowadays are quite durable with bonding primers and acrylic and epoxy formulas that can take a beating, so don’t be afraid to paint your porch or patio floor for fear it won’t last.
If you prep an outdoor concrete floor correctly by power washing and letting it dry, then applying the paint in thin coats, and letting each coat of paint dry completely before applying the next coat, a painted concrete floor can last years.
How to Paint and Stencil a Concrete Porch or Patio Floor
Stenciled painted concrete patio or porch how-to instructions.
supplies needed:
- Power washer and cleaner
- Valspar Concrete Primer
- Valspar Porch, Floor and Patio Paint – Base color used: Mountain Smoke
- Paint brush for painting around edges of floors
- Paint roller with a 3/4″ nap roller cover
- Paint roller pole
- Paint roller tray
supplies for stenciling:
- Valspar Porch, Floor and Patio Paint – Stencil color – Greyed
- Cutting Edge Stencil in the pattern: Fine Line Herringbone
- Damp rag
- Painter’s tape
- Stencil brush or Dense foam roller
- Thin tipped artist paint brush
Time needed: 2 days
How to Paint and Stencil a Concrete Porch or Patio Floor using a Cutting Edge Design Stencil.
- Prep Concrete Floor
Power wash the floor or scrub well with hot water and detergent or TSP. Rinse well and let dry.
- Add a Coat of Concrete Primer
This is an important step, so don’t skip it.
Roll on one coat of concrete primer. It goes on white, but will dry clear. Let dry for one hour.
After one to four hours you will need to add the first coat of paint. - Roll On Base Coat of Paint
When stenciling a floor you need two colors of paint. Use a 1/2″ nap paint roller to apply one light coat of base paint color. Let dry.
Apply second coat of base color paint and let dry at least 4 hours or overnight. - Figure Out Where To Start Stenciling
When using a stencil you need to figure out where the best place is to start. Make sure to read the directions that come with the stencil.
You want to consider what part of the floor you see first as this is where you want to make sure a full tile shows up. Then against a far wall would be where the stencil ends and it may not be a full tile. - Tape Stencil on Floor
Once you know the best place to start, place the stencil on the floor and make sure the design runs straight.
Using a stencil brush or foam roller, dip into paint and then blot on a plate layered with a paper towel to remove the excess paint, then pounce the brush or roll over the stencil to apply the paint. The look of less paint is better as you don’t want excess paint to run under the stencil. - Use Edge Stencil to Finish Around Floor Edges
Once the floor is stenciled, you can use the smaller stencil that comes with the big stencil to do the finishing and filling in where the big stencil would not fit. - Touch Up
If needed, use a thin – pointy-tipped artist paint brush to hand paint any lines or areas that need filling in or to extend the lines off the edge of the floor to make the stencil pattern look complete. - Let Dry
Check the dry time on the paint label on how long you need to let it dry before walking over it or placing furniture back on.
Floor – AFTER
How Long Did It Take To Paint and Stencil the Floor?
It took a few hours over a two day period to paint and stencil the floor.
Since we used porch and floor paint we did not need to seal it.
The overall pattern is subtle with just enough color and pattern to make the porch look more inviting.
If you would like to try stenciling a floor, wall or a table top, there are dozens of allover stencil patterns you can use to fit your decorating style.
Check all the beautiful designs here: Cutting Edge Stencils and more how-to stencil tips.