How to Paint an Outside Porch

Remove all of the patio furniture and plants from the porch.

Fit your garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle and spray down the entire porch, including the columns, stairs, railings and floor planks, to remove dirt and debris.

Use the hammer to secure any loose nails. You can also use the hammer to knock out any debris between the planks that the hose didn't get.

Edge the porch by applying painter's tape to those areas where the porch meets the house, including where the columns meet the porch roof. If your porch stairs meet a decorative walkway, edge that spot as well.

Select the color of porch paint that you want. Porch paint is an exterior paint designed to handle foot traffic without wearing. Pour the paint into a paint tray.

Dip your paintbrush into the paint tray and begin painting the columns, if you have any. Start at the top of each column and work your way to the porch floor.

Paint the interior and exterior railings next. Let the paint dry for 24 hours so you do not mar the paint when working on the floor.

Select a paint roller with a long handle so that you do not have to bend down when painting the floor.

Dip the paint roller into the paint tray and begin rolling a smooth, even coat onto the porch planking. Start at one end of the porch and stop when you get to the stairs.

Start painting the other end of the porch floor, working toward the stairs. When you are finished, the entire floor will be painted and you will be able to exit the porch down the stairs.

Roll the tops of the stairs, if desired. Switch to the paintbrush to paint the risers and corners of the stairs.

Rinse clean the roller, brush and paint tray.

Let the floor dry for 24 hours.