Painting concrete is a tricky activity which takes up a lot of time, money, and effort compared to painting other surfaces. If you’re looking for the best type of paint to use for concrete floors, walls, and other surfaces, I have listed down some products that, in my experience, will deliver superior results.
The Best Paint Options for Concrete Floors
Concrete is a material that is inarguably challenging to paint. In my experience, there are only a few paint products that ensure long-term adherence and longevity. As concrete transports moisture easily in absence of a proper moisture control systems, it absorbs paint at a faster rate. With this in mind, I recommend that you opt for heavy-duty paints over traditional paint products.
Concrete floors are highly porous, attract dust easily and are prone to premature wear and abrasion. For a stronger bond, I highly recommend using latex acrylic over regular acrylic. Maintenance is key to maintain the vibrancy of latex paint; hence you need to perform re-touching at least once a year. In all, the frequency of repainting will depend on the amount of traffic your concrete floor takes on a regular basis. Avoid oil-based paints as they are slippery and can be a safety hazard in your property.
Another reason why it’s best to opt for epoxy-based floor paints is due to its durable quality. Although more expensive than other paints, it is a good investment especially if you are painting concrete floors. When it comes to painting walls however, you need a different paint product. This is because wall paints do not contain non-slip additives that are common in paints for concrete floors. For concrete floors, use one-part epoxy paint as it features a more oil resistant quality. This type of paint is also resistant to chemicals and stains, as well as the formation of mold and mildew. When you use it on garage floors and driveways, you can rest assured that the paint will not chip and last longer, too.
If you want a more dependable paint option, you may also choose a two-party epoxy floor paint formulation. In essence, water-based epoxy paint is the perfect solution for concrete flooring. Proper application is crucial if you want it to bond to concrete fast and efficiently. In all epoxy is the most durable choice for concrete surfaces both for indoor and outdoor applications as they are durable and enhance the overall safety on your property.
For a shiny or glossy finish, I highly recommend applying a polyurethane coat. Another finishing option that you should look into is concrete staining.
The Best Paint Options for Concrete Walls
Apart from acrylic paint without the extra additives found on concrete floor acrylic paint, you may use elastomeric wall paint. This type of pain is usually used to paint over bricks and masonry but works just as great on walls made from concrete. It contains binders that facilitate its expansion and contraction along with the concrete material.
The Best Paint Options for Concrete Patios, Pools, Decks, and Other Surfaces
For exterior surfaces, you need a paint that is formulated with chemicals that make it non-slippery. And since outdoor spaces are exposed to the environment, external elements, and inclement weather conditions, I recommend choosing a paint with water-resistant qualities, too. The paint should also be durable and resilient enough to withstand UV radiation, chemicals, and wear and tear.
I highly recommend using an epoxy concrete floor paint or acrylic epoxy coatings. You may consult a contractor or home improvement specialist about paint systems that are formulated exclusively for concrete outdoor surfaces, too. There are companies that manufacture concrete paints for area specific surfaces, such as patio paint, deck paint, pool paint, and many more.
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