Whether you’re painting from scratch or just repainting the exterior of your house a porch or deck, the task might seem like a daunting one. But, if you follow all the right steps, it isn’t half as bad as it’s made out to be! With just a bit of preparation and planning, you can turn your porch into a new one in no time.
Table of Contents
ToggleHow to Paint a Porch? An Exclusive Guide
The step is to remove everything from your porch. And we seriously mean everything! Ensure everything is cleared out from the area you’ll be painting in, and all immovable items by the porch are covered with drop cloths. If you’ve got old sheets lying around, bring them out as they will work perfectly here.
After you’ve cleared everything off the porch, give the space a nice sweep. Begin at one end of the porch, and work through all the way across. Sweeping the dirt and debris off the area will provide a smooth working space. After you’ve done the necessary sweeping, hose the surface down to get it squeaky clean and clear of dirt and grime. Based on the type of material, this process may appear somewhat different and change the way you move forward.
Ways to Painting a Concrete Porch
When a concrete surface is concerned, you should try to use concrete cleaning chemicals, a scrub brush, and some water to be sure the porch is perfectly clean. Remember to put on latex gloves for this process to keep yourself from touching any harmful chemicals. When you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse everything off with a hose and wait for the surface to dry before moving on to the next steps. The drying process may take up to 24 hours, varying with the weather. A good option for this purpose is to get a power washer; you can save considerable time and elbow grease!
After the surface is clean and dry, you should tape off all the areas you want to protect against the paint. When it comes to painting concrete, there are mixed opinions on the best practices. But, we prefer keeping things uncomplicated and straightforward: prime and paint. Primers made especially for concrete can be easily bought from any paint provider and guarantee that your paint applies to the surface flatly and smoothly.
Coming to the paint, make sure you purchase concrete exterior paint. These particular products are designed to be long-lasting and can endure frequent traffic and extreme weather conditions. As you finish the painting job, wait a full 24 hours to walk on the surface to make sure it is dried and ready for action!
Ways to Painting a Wooden Porch
For a wooden porch, after the required sweeping and cleaning with a hose, you’ll have to wait for the wood to dry before going forward with the next steps. Based on the weather in your city or state, this may take up to 24 hours or longer. Please don’t try to rush through this process as the paint won’t cure properly until the surface isn’t completely dry.
Once you’re completely sure that the surface is dry, it’s time to take off any existing paint on the porch. The best approach to this is to use an orbital sander for sanding off the previous paint. Be sure to wear a protective mask and goggles for safety while doing the job. After you finish, sweep any dust or debris remnants off of the surface.
Now you can ahead and tape! Use some painter’s tape and line the area you don’t want the paint to touch, such as the siding, edges, and other parts of your home.
When the tape is in position, it’s time to apply the primer. Make sure you use an exterior primer painter; you can buy these from most paint providers. Similar to sweeping, you’ll want to begin with the opposite end of the porch so you don’t ruin the wet paint as you walk back. Also, don’t ever paint yourself into a corner! Additionally, nobody likes to get trapped, so be sure to finish up by the door or the stairs. Always watch out for wind that brings in dirt and debris, and ensure quick removal of any such things so that they don’t stick to the surface while it dries. Wait a while for the primer to dry before going forward with the next step. Depending on the climate and weather conditions, this process can take somewhere from one to eight hours. So, devise a plan accordingly.
After the primer is dry, you can begin applying your desired shade of paint. Using exterior porch-specific paint is essential since these paints are crafted to withstand the wear and tear of frequent traffic and outdoor conditions. After you’re sure the paint’s first coat has dried, which may take up to eight hours, get on with your second coat.
Different Kinds of Porches
Does the question of what’s the difference between a porch and a deck ever bother you? Well, we might have an answer. The real difference between the two exists in the cover. There are several types of porches, but the common denominator among all is that they’re covered and attached to a house. From beautiful slick concrete to a wooden porch’s gothic aesthetic, all can and will last a long time, given the right care.
Front Porches
Imagine this: You wake up and walk outside your home to get the morning paper. After you grab it, you sit down in your rocking chair on the front porch to relish the news column and the gorgeous view of your neighborhood. Sounds like something straight out of a movie, right? These porches are quite common in old and new homes, mainly because they are such a classic. With the proper care, front porches can last for many years to come. Whether you go for a solid color on the porch’s floor or a wood stain, both are guaranteed to be stunners.
Farmers Porch
The farmhouse style has recently been on-trend. So keeping that in mind, you can also jump on the bandwagon of this porch trend! The key is to stick with bold reds, rustic wood, and faded white accents. Consider hanging a rustic welcome sign, and try accenting your porch with a cozy seating arrangement and decor. When accessorizing, remember that anything you must accent your home’s exterior color and front door. Think about adding a little pop of color to your front door.
Screened- In Porches
Screened-in porches are an excellent option if you’re trying to restrict the bugs and insects from getting in and letting the kids and pets out. These kinds of porches enable you to enjoy the outdoors while keeping the indoors’ peace intact. Based on what kind of frame you have, you can paint the screen’s frame too. If you can paint the frame, try choosing a different color than the porch floor to mix things up a little and add some visual contrast.
Are you thinking about having your porch newly painted? Get in touch with us, and we can help you out with all your painting queries!