Add charm to your home with a painted porch makeover.
Whether you are painting a covered porch or an exposed one, the key to success is choosing the proper paint and materials. The proper paint helps seal and protect the wood, withstands the elements and holds up to daily, frequent foot traffic. In order to get the best finish, in addition to purchasing the best paint for the job, take into account the appropriate weather conditions for painting and properly prepare the porch surface.
Choosing the Paint
Major paint manufacturing companies produce paint specifically made for painting porch and deck floors. These paints are made to withstand foot traffic, as well as the dirt, grime, grass and leaves that inevitably end up on the porch surface. For both covered and exposed porches, exterior porch paint is the best choice. However, if porch paint is not available or does not properly suit your needs, be sure to choose an exterior paint. Interior paints do not always withstand the elements when used outdoors. The home improvement experts at True Value recommend using acrylic, latex exterior paints on the porch. Be sure to read the labels on your paint before beginning. Most exterior paints will dry within 48 hours, but some may take up to two weeks to fully cure.
Choosing the Primer
Using a primer underneath the paint helps properly prepare the surface and can increase the success of a porch painting project. Selecting the proper primer is as important as selecting the proper paint. For both covered and exposed porches, an acrylic, latex primer is recommended. This primer properly seals and protects the wood, as well as preparing the surface for painting. Be sure the primer is rated for exterior use. For a porch with dark, unsightly stains use a stain blocking primer to prevent the color from bleeding through on the finished product.
Creating a Clean Surface
Before any priming or painting can begin, it is important to clean the porch and prepare it for painting. Rent a power washer machine from your local home improvement store and use it to remove surface dirt and grime from the porch. Use a paint scraping tool to scrape and remove any previous paint or stain from the porch surface. Smooth out any rough spots with a medium-grit sandpaper. Use a TSP solution cleaner to remove any remaining degree. Allow the wood to dry completely before painting.
Painting Tips and Decorative Ideas
Once you have selected the proper paints and cleaned your surface, it is time to paint. The porch often provides guests with the first impression when visiting your home. Create some visual interest with some decorative painting techniques. Use two colors of paint to create stripes on alternating boards. Use stencils or a free hand design to create a pretty pattern on the floor. Be sure to always purchase exterior, porch paint for the project. Remember that most paint supply stores can match colors to give you the exact shade you require. Be sure to start at the far end of the porch. For a home with a second entrance paint towards the stairs and then paint the stairs. Otherwise, paint the stairs and across the porch towards the front door.
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