Perhaps, you are tired of looking at the boring grey patio slabs on your pavement. Or maybe the patio’s dullness is killing your garden’s beauty.
So, maybe it’s time to bring back color and joy to your concrete slab. In this context, the most befitting question would be, what can you paint patio slabs with?
There are so many options available now for patio painting. However, the best kind of paint for concrete is epoxy paint. Acrylic can go well with concrete, too, but epoxy is your dear friend when it comes to patio slabs.
Of course, you have heard of Masonry paint in this regard. But if you take a closer look at each kind of painting’s composition, texture, and purpose, you can understand which variety will fit your needs.
Also, before you paint your patio, you must learn from common mistakes. So, to take a brief look at all these facts, please read the entire article.
The Controversy With Masonry Paint On Patio Slabs
If you look at the textures of most patios and porches, you will see that most of them are either naked or have never been colored. And among the few painted patio slabs, masonry paint has taken over the concrete base.
Masonry paint is suitable to use on the exterior of your buildings. They are tough paints that withstand wear and tear and the harsh external environment.
Masonry paint may last longer on concrete or give a smooth finish but it has also raised some controversial concerns over the years.
The first point to note here is that masonry paint is suitable for concrete with vertical surfaces and bricks.
However, floor painting is much different and requires the right choice of paint and detailed work. Floors are horizontal surfaces, and even your brush strokes will be different in this case.
Besides, you can paint a concrete wall randomly with masonry paint. Acrylic-based paints are the most popular ones in this regard. However, there are mineral-based silicate masonry paints. These are far better choices.
Secondly, the patio paint must be able to endure water. Masonry paints usually do not withstand water. It is why water-resistant patio paints gradually became a thing. But they couldn’t earn much popularity.
Lastly, masonry paint can’t withstand the wear and tear that concrete slabs have to endure. After a particular time, the color starts to lose its best features.
They are not like regular floor paints. Actually, it is one of the critical reasons why floor paints are different and uniquely sold.
Is Acrylic Paint Good For Patio Slabs?
Basically, acrylic paint suits interior painting more. Some may also recommend using acrylic on patio slabs. However, it won’t be a wise decision and will have a much poorer lifespan.
Acrylic is your go-to paint for any painting purpose. It is all-purpose and can work well on concrete as well. Most masonry paints are acrylic based. They are cheap and can be easily reapplied to previously painted surfaces.
However, the paint loses its breathability at one point. And over time, you will notice flakes and bubbles on the patio slabs.
Truth be told, acrylic is the most suitable material for internal purposes. You can use it on the walls and ceilings and get a smooth, durable finish. But when it comes to painting concrete, it demands a lot more.
Basically, concrete has a rough surface and initially has a dull grey color. Painting over concrete is tricky.
Also, the concrete may have holes and cracks, which can be tough spots to paint with acrylic. So, it would help if you had something more durable and thick that could coat the concrete without any breakages.
The Best Kind Of Paint For Patio Slabs
For patio slabs, you need a kind of paint that can withstand harsh weather conditions, ultraviolet radiation, standing water, extensive wear and tear, the impact of vehicles, walking, fall injuries, rainwater, etc.
Considering all viewpoints, the best kind of paint for your patio slabs would be Epoxy paint. These are popular for painting garage floors, high-end housing and residential areas, porches, garden patio slabs, etc.
Why Epoxy Is The Best
Essentially, epoxy paint can create a thick, glossy finish that you can’t get with any other color. The ultimate finish is a rock-solid coat that can withstand any amount of moisture and humidity and resist damage.
Actually, patio slabs are directly subject to heat and extremes of temperature. They can expand and contract and ultimately crack below the paint, or the cracks may become visible above the colors.
However, you can avoid this ugly drawback with epoxy paint. The surface remains hard and smooth despite the reactions to temperatures.
Besides, since epoxy paint is consistently heavy, you don’t have to think much before using it on horizontal surfaces. Although you may face a little problem spreading the color, the ultimate finish is long-lasting and just what you desire for your patio slabs.
You don’t need to reapply the coating frequently because it requires minimal repair and touch-ups.
Epoxy paints also come with chips and color flakes. It can create a unique style, and you can produce any color of your choice.
Furthermore, the final coating is quite glossy in appearance, so it may seem to be slippery. So, choose an anti-slip paint beforehand.
However, the only downside is that since epoxy paints are very thick and hard, they require harsh chemicals to wash them off. If they stain your garments or hands, getting rid of them might be a tough job.
Nonetheless, the stains on the paint respond well to regular soap and water cleaning.
Paint Your Concrete Slab Properly
Now, bear in mind a number of things before you get down to painting your patio slab. In fact, these tiny details will decide how long-lasting your painting will be or how smooth the finishing can be.
So, take a brief look at the following points and ensure you have done all these things correctly.
Prepare The Surface Properly
Actually, when you say to prepare the floor, you mean a lot of things. The patio slab needs to be cleaned first, so no dirt can stick to it. Because if you apply paint on a dirty surface, it won’t adhere well, and the ultimate finish will be horrid. It can interfere with the color of the paint as well.
Next, scrape away the old painting. You can use sandpaper to even out the surface as there may be some holes and cracks in the floor which you must fill out first.
If not then the paint will leak into these places, and after some time, you will notice cracks and pitting in the paintwork.
Some people may even advise using a floor primer before applying the paint. If money isn’t an issue, you should definitely try a primer. Eventually, you will have an exceptionally smooth finish.
Paint In A Good Temperature
Extreme temperatures won’t provide you with a good finish. Of course, you need an ambient temperature setting while painting your patio slab. In fact, excessive humidity can also ruin your paintwork.
Ideally, the floor should be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the atmospheric temperature should be at least 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the floor is as hot as lava, your paint won’t dry well, and it will take a really long time.
Not Taking Sufficient Product
You should apply an even and thick base coat. In this case, if you don’t have enough paint, please buy more.
Besides, don’t try to finish a large area with a small amount of product. You will never be able to produce a standard finish.
In fact, try to follow the instructions as to how much paint covers what fraction of the area. So, measure your floor area appropriately and then get down to painting.
Choose The Right Product
You will get all sorts of ideas and recommendations on the internet and from other people regarding which paint is the best. Epoxy paint will work best on patio slabs. But the rest is for you to decide.
Most importantly, the durability, finishing, smoothness, texture, etc., all depend on the quality of your paint. So, choose wisely.
Give Your Patio The Time To Cure
To be fair, new patio slabs can retain some level of moisture that needs eradication before painting.
Patio slabs can take up to 4 weeks to lose all the moisture and water content. So, give it the time to cure and dry. Otherwise, the paint will crack in places after drying.
Will using specific paints on a concrete slab patio help prevent mold and discoloration?
Using specific paints on a concrete slab patio can be an effective way to prevent mold and discoloration. When selecting the paint, consider ones that are specifically designed for outdoor use and offer mold and mildew resistance. Following these guidelines can help you learn how to prevent patio mold.
Conclusion
Painting a concrete surface is really tricky. And if you are trying to paint your patio slab, you better do thorough research beforehand.
The kind of paint you use will determine how long-lasting and long-standing the painting will be. Hopefully, this article has satisfied your queries regarding what can you paint patio slabs with.
Thank you for reading the entire article with patience. Choose the best paint on the market and get down to painting! Have a great day!