Everyone uses their backyard patio differently, and some people don’t really consider painting their patio because they either don’t use it enough to have it pop in their heads, or they simply don’t think their patio needs to be painted. It actually turns out that it would be very beneficial to paint your patio no matter how you use it.
Whether you have a wooden or concrete patio, painting it is recommended because, even though these materials are strong and durable, they can easily wear down over time. Painting your patio can revitalize it and protect it for future use, extending the life of your patio.
So you should paint your patio, but the actual process of painting it is not as straightforward as it may seem. In the rest of this article, we’ll talk more about the various benefits of painting your patio, how to actually paint it, and some different types of paints that you should use for different cases.
The Benefits of Painting Your Patio
It’s strongly recommended that you paint your patio in order to protect it. Even if you don’t use your patio often, it’s still very beneficial to paint it to guarantee that it will be durable for a while.
To summarize, painting your patio is beneficial as it will:
- Provide protection against general wear and tear
- Provide protection against the weather and temperature
- Add some color and character to your bland patio
Painting your patio comes with one major condition: You should only do it if your patio is in good enough condition. You shouldn’t paint a wood patio that has damaged or rotted wood, and a concrete one shouldn’t be crumbled. Painting a concrete patio with cracks is okay as long as you use a certain type of paint as explained later on in the article.
The only other limiting factors that you would have to take into account when painting your patio would be the cost and labor needed to do it. Otherwise, painting your patio is super beneficial to its integrity and to the style of your yard.
If your patio is made out of nice looking paver stones, you may not want to paint over that. Finding a good sealer is a better option.
Adding Durability and Protection to Your Patio
For as strong and durable as wood and concrete are, no material is perfect; over time, your patio will definitely wear down and start to rot or crack due to general use and weather. Painting your patio can prevent this from happening.
The ways that painting your patio can add durability and protection to it include:
- Conceal cracks and imperfections in concrete
- Prevent wet and dry rot in wood
- Resist fading, staining, and discoloration in any material
- Stop mold and mildew growth in any material
In addition to general protection, painting your patio can even provide added protection against the weather. Certain paints can provide protection against UV rays which helps prevent damage from the sun, and some paints can also provide protection against extreme temperatures
Customizing Your Patio Color
Another reason to paint your patio is the fact that you can design and customize it to whatever color you want. Patio colors are usually thought of as some sort of bland gray or faded brown color, but many modern-day patio paints come in various colors.
Some people may end up just using the conventional colors, but others will see this as an opportunity to add some character to their backyard. People will often use colors that coordinate with their outside furniture, which is a great idea. The only thing to keep in mind is that darker colors absorb heat, while brother colors reflect heat, which could be crucial during hot weather.
Here’s a good video with a walk-through for painting a patio with steps and more info below:
How to Paint Your Patio
Painting your patio is not as simple as it seems; it’s actually a pretty lengthy process. However, the final outcome will definitely be worth it. Depending on the material of your patio, there will be a different process for painting it.
Let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to properly paint your patio based on its material.
Painting a Concrete Patio
The steps you can take to paint a concrete patio are listed below:
- Step 1: Move your patio furniture off of the patio.
- Step 2: Clean your patio using a power washer paired with a chemical cleaning product such as trisodium phosphate or muriatic acid is recommended.
- Step 3: Allow your patio to fully dry.
- Step 4: Apply one coat of primer to your patio and allow it to fully dry.
- Step 5: Apply the desired amount of coats of paint to your patio, allowing it to fully dry in between each one.
Although most patios are concrete, there are other kinds of backyard patios such as wooden patios. In the next section we’ll briefly talk about the process behind painting a wooden patio.
Painting a Wooden Patio
When it comes to painting a wooden patio, one of the biggest hassles is applying a primer over all of your wooden boards before they’re installed. This is to prevent damage due to humidity and moisture. In addition, you have to remove any previously applied paint or sealer on the wooden boards if you plan to add new paint.
Other than that, the steps are pretty similar to painting a concrete patio:
- Step 1: Remove and fix any exposed nail and screw heads
- Step 2: Fill all the large cracks with epoxy putty
- Step 3: Use a stain and sealer removal on the wood that’s been previously applied with other material
- Step 4: Sand down the ridges
- Step 5: Take steps to protect the wood such as using painters tape and plastic
Now that you know the general process behind painting your patio, we can now talk about some paints that you can use in different situations.
The Best Paints for Painting Your Patio
Depending on the material of the patio you have, you will need to use specific kinds of paints to ensure that they will properly bond and last. In this section, we will go over the best paints to use for painting concrete and wooden patios, and some of the qualities of each different paint mentioned so you can find the right one for your needs.
Paints for Concrete Patios
The general types of paints for concrete patios are listed in the table below:
| Paint | Qualities |
| Masonry Paint | Mainly designed for brick, but can act as a good coating for concreteSome masonry paint doesn’t provide protection against weatherSome masonry paints are waterproof |
| Concrete Restorers | Used to restore cracks and worn down surfacesThey are very thickRestores work best for brushed concrete that’s been coated already |
| Concrete Stains | Used to protect and enhance concreteThey make concrete very resistant to wear and chemical productsThey can extend concrete lifespan, and they are usually quicker to apply |
Now we will talk about paints for wooden patios.
Paints for Wooden Patios
The general types of paints for wooden patios are listed in the table below:
| Paint | Qualities |
| Oil-based Paint | Takes longer to dryMakes outside application easierLess prone to make mistakes |
| Acrylic Paint | Has less volatile organic compoundsIs easier to clean up |
| Color stains | Very similar to paint, but not as toughMeant to resist foot trafficHas limited colors |
Just like with concrete, you have a considerable amount of options to choose from for the type of paint that you want to use. Whichever situation you’re in, there’s going to be an option that works for you.
Conclusion
Painting your patio is definitely beneficial, and any backyard patio owner who has not already painted their patio should seriously consider doing so. It provides great protection for your concrete allowing it to last longer and become more durable. The actual painting process may be a bit lengthy, but it will definitely be worth your time.