What Kind of Paint Do I Use on Outdoor Concrete Floors?

Acid Stain

• Applying acid stain to outdoor concrete floors results in assorted earthy textures and colors found in nature. Resembling natural wood, stone, marble, tile or leather, acid stain chemically bonds to the concrete becoming a permanent part of its surface. Acid-stained concrete floors resist fading, peeling and flaking and display a high-end, polished appearance. Covering the acid-stained concrete floor with a topcoat sealer can deepen the color and provide additional protection.

Floor and Porch Paint

• Low luster and gloss are typical sheen options available when selecting an exterior concrete floor paint. Floor and porch paint is ideal for use on outdoor concrete floors, resisting cracking, mildew, peeling, fading and scuffing. This paint is durable, long-lasting and can be tinted in a myriad of colors. It is commonly a 100 percent acrylic latex paint, making it easy to clean up with soap and water. Refer to the manufacturer's directions and informational label attached to a specific product for recommended prior surface preparation and suitability.

Swimming Pools and Tennis Courts

• Concrete swimming pool floors require a specialized paint formula. Covering the concrete floor of the swimming pool with a suitable primer followed by a specially formulated epoxy pool coating is easy to apply and can last up to five years, according to Olympic pool paint information reported on the Recreonics website. Similarly, a paint developed for concrete tennis courts replaces the need for up to seven layers of filler and cushion coats. This latex paint stretches and breathes, accommodating the changing weather.

Specialty Finishes

• Mixing a nonskid floor finish with a porch and floor paint creates a slip-resistant coating that is ideal for outdoor concrete floors. Adding decorative flakes to an exterior porch and floor paint results in a finished floor resembling granite or terrazzo, and is available in a variety of color combinations. Products developed for particularly slippery concrete areas surrounding pools can be applied, greatly improving the floor's skid-resistance efficiency.