What Type of Paint Should I Use for an Exterior Wood Porch Floor?

Hardness

• The paint's hardness will ultimately determine its scratch-resistance. Floor paint, particularly that used for outdoor floors, is frequently subjected to harsh wear, due to sand or dirt on shoes and feet. For decades, oil-based enamel outdoor paint with qualities of marine-grade paint was recommended for use on porch floors. In recent years, improvements in water-based acrylic and latex paints have increased their exterior hardness, making them more suitable for outdoor use.

Longevity

• Painting your porch floor requires a good deal of time and effort. You want a floor finish that will last for several years. Select an outdoor floor paint that has a warranty of greater than five years, preferably one with a 10 year warranty. Paints with longer warranties are typically made with greater percentages of hardeners. While they typically take a longer time to dry and cure, they are more durable and scratch-resistant than softer-finish paints.

Primer

• Primer is a type of paint with three main functions. Primer contains an adhesive agent to prevent the paint from lifting from the wood surface. It forms a barrier to seal the wood prior to painting and provides tooth, or a slightly abrasive surface, also improving adhesion of the paint. Primer must be selected to match the type of paint you are using. Water-based paints require water-based primer. Oil-based paints require oil-based primer. Wear marks are less visible if you tint the primer the same color as the finish paint.

Clean-Up

• Clean-up with water-based paints is far simpler than with oil-based paints. If you've used water-based paints, you can clean brushes and rollers with detergent and water. Oil-based paint clean-up requires turpentine or mineral spirits.

Selection

• Professional builders and painters typically recommend using a high-grade, water-based exterior primer and paint for outdoor porches. High-grade paint, with a long warranty, should satisfactorily conceal the primer in one to two coats. It retains its color and resists blistering. As expected, high-quality paint usually costs more than lesser-quality paint, however, spending a little more for an attractive and durable finish is worth it.

Slip-Prevention

• You may want to add sand or other gritty material, such as diatomaceous earth, to the paint mixture to roughen the painted surface. This is especially important for painted steps or any area likely to become frozen in the winter. Paint suppliers are usually willing to add and mix the grit material when the paint base is tinted.