As the summer months start to draw closer, a lot of people are turning their attention to the outdoor areas around their homes and wondering how they can freshen this space up in time for the sun’s eagerly-anticipated arrival. But how long does painted concrete even last?
Considering its exposure to the harsh outside elements and extreme weather conditions all year-round, it’s possible for your paint to become chipped or scratched over time which will ruin the finish and leave your yard looking as tired and worn as it did before you painted it.
You’ll also have a trickier job painting concrete than you would with the majority of other surfaces due to the fact that it’s more breathable, moves moisture, and absorbs the paint.
However, when correctly carried out and well-maintained, painted concrete can last for around three to five years, depending on the level of footfall or exposure to the elements. It also depends on the brand of paint you use, as some are higher quality than others.
You’ll need to look for a concrete-specific paint or one that’s appropriate for exterior use for the best results, and you should always use the recommended paintbrush or roller to apply.
Does Concrete Paint Chip?
Applying any type of paint to any type of surface increases the risk of the paint chipping or peeling away from the surface over time or if it’s a surface that you regularly come into contact with, and concrete is no different from the general rule.
If you’ve chosen the wrong type of paint for your concrete surface, such as standard acrylic paint, you’ll find that your freshly painted concrete walls or floors begin to show signs of chipping away much sooner than if you were to use the right kind of exterior paint for the job.
This is because of the high porosity of surfaces like concrete, which makes it harder for the paint to actually stick and stay in place without chipping, flaking, or peeling away from the concrete over time. Paint that’s intended for outdoor use will last for longer without chipping.
Alternatively, there’s also the option to skip the paint entirely and to use concrete stain instead, as this will drastically reduce if not eliminate the issue of peeling paint. They’re quicker to apply and to dry too, meaning you’ll be finished much faster with time to spare.
Just remember to allow each coat of primer and paint enough time to fully dry first, before you go back in with your paintbrush to apply the next layer. It’s also worth remembering that the paint you use for your tiles can actually help to further protect them from the weather elements from outside to keep them looking cleaner for longer.
Is There a Concrete Color Paint?
There are pots of paint for concrete in a huge range of colors, so you should have no trouble finding one that perfectly suits your preferences and matches the other colors in your yard.
The options available to you are only limited by your own imagination and the color scheme you’re hoping to incorporate, so there’s no definitive color that you *should” use to paint concrete with. With that being said, some colors will look better on concrete than others.
- Beige – If you’re looking to add a little bit of warmth to your concrete area then beige is a great choice of color.
- Green – Green tones and colors will give a similarly warming effect when used to cover concrete areas whilst also adding a natural, inviting feel to space.
- Gray – One of the most common choices of concrete paint is gray, which is ideal for when you want to freshen up your concrete areas without necessarily changing the color to anything too drastically different from the original.
- Ivory – Choosing ivory for concrete in darker areas is a great way to add class and to create a clean slate. You’ll also brighten the area by using an ivory paint color due to the lighter, bright, white being reflective and illuminating the space.
Of course, you can choose to paint your concrete in whatever color you want, so why not consider something bright and bold to really transform your space into a fun area?
Can You Paint Colored Concrete?
If you’ve already previously colored one of the concrete areas in your home, but now you’re planning on touching it up with another fresh coat of paint, you may be wondering if you need to do anything to prep the concrete or whether you can just paint over the old color.
You can paint over stained concrete with pretty much no problems. Simply apply the paint the way you would if the concrete was clear of any color, or you could alternatively clean the colored concrete with TSP or trisodium phosphate mixed with water and a wire brush.
When it comes to painting over previous paint, however, it may be beneficial to include a step to add a layer of primer as this will better help the paint to stick to the concrete surface. For really old paint or outdoor areas, it’s worth going over with a second coat of primer.
This will help to ensure a smoother paint finish and you’ll avoid any lumps or bumps in the paint. It’s also important to make sure that you’re applying the paint using the paintbrush or roller that was recommended to use with the brand of paint you choose.
Final Thoughts
If you have been thinking about painting over certain concrete areas in your home, we hope that this article will help give you the push you need to take the plunge. Grab a paintbrush to have at the ready because painting over concrete is an easy yet effective improvement.
Transform shabby, chipped patio slabs or crumbling concrete walls in your yard into beautifully presented, stone features. Whether you go for a bright, bold color, clashing patterns, or something simple and muted yet at the same time very elegant.
