Will Paint on a Wood Porch Floor Hold Up if There's Exposed Under-Wood?

Wood

• Wood options for a front porch run the gamut, from exotic woods, such as tigerwood, ipe and mahogany that offer interesting wood grains and color, to less expensive options. Although exotic woods offer good durability and natural resistance to moisture and insect damage, if you plan to paint your porch, you lose their natural beauty. For a painted front porch, southern yellow pine is a suitable choice. It comes in both pressure-treated and non-treated varieties, both suitable for painting or staining. Pressure-treated lumber is more resistant to moisture and insect damage but must dry out for one to six months, before paint is applied, for better adhesion without blistering.

Protection

• Before beginning construction of a porch, provide protection for new wood. For untreated lumber, soak boards in a borate solution -- 1 pound of borate to 1 gallon of water -- to provide protection from wood-destroying fungi and insects. Dry the boards for at least two days in a shady location, with spacers between them. Prior to construction, paint all surfaces of the boards with a coat of enamel floor paint, which will act as a primer for the wood and protect the boards from moisture under the porch. If the porch is close to the ground, lay a vapor barrier over the ground to minimize moisture intrusion from the ground into the boards. After constructing the porch, apply a final coat of enamel floor paint to the surface and exposed ends of the boards.

Paint

• An enamel floor and porch paint provides a durable, flexible finish that can stand up to high traffic. It is available in a water-based product with low VOC (volatile organic chemicals) for easy clean-up and low fumes. The paint comes in a wide range of color choices to complement most exterior home décor. A wood porch can become slippery from rain and melting snow. Adding a slip-resistant floor additive to the final coat of floor paint provides protection against slipping.

Repairs

• Before painting an existing wood porch, replace any damaged boards. Sand the surface to remove any chipping or peeling paint and wood splinters. After vacuuming the dust from the porch, wash the entire surface to remove any remaining dirt or grease. When you are ready to paint, choose a day when rain is not in the forecast. A porch is a horizontal surface where rain will pool and puddle, which can damage your newly painted surface. Once the porch floor is dry, apply two coats of enamel floor paint.