Painting My Exterior Concrete Steps (Products I Used And Why I Chose Them)

However first, right here’s a take a look at the completed steps.

I nonetheless have to cowl these uncovered areas of OSB on both facet of the steps the place the siding had been beforehand eliminated, however for now, at the very least these areas are waterproofed.

Throughout one in every of my many journeys to Dwelling Depot, I noticed this product referred to as Granite Grip. I had by no means seen this earlier than, so I got here residence and did plenty of studying about it, together with the method required to use the product and the shopper critiques.

The entire course of appeared exhausting to me. You must clear the concrete rather well, ideally with strain washing. As soon as it’s dry, then it’s a must to use a chemical to etch the concrete. As soon as that’s washed off, then it’s a must to let it dry totally after which prime it. After which lastly, you may apply the Granite Grip. However from the critiques I learn, it’s a really thick product, and it needs to be utilized with a particular curler cowl (and adhesive curler cowl) which I didn’t even know existed till two weeks in the past. The critiques have been blended, however the individuals who cherished the product adopted the steps meticulously, and plenty of them appeared sure that the individuals who didn’t have success with the product most likely skipped steps and didn’t comply with the directions exactly.

So I purchased the entire merchandise wanted — the Granite Grip in a darkish grey coloration (one of many off-the-shelf colours obtainable), the etching chemical, the precise primer really helpful within the directions, and the adhesive curler cowl. However after an extended day of engaged on the steps (I used to be nonetheless constructing the steps on the time) on a scorching day and dealing within the direct daylight, I made a decision I didn’t need to undergo all of these steps, so I returned all the pieces.

Two days later, I made a decision that I ought to by no means make these selections on the finish of a piece day after I’m exhausted, form of like how you need to by no means go grocery procuring while you’re actually hungry, so I went again to Dwelling Depot and purchased the entire merchandise once more. 😀

However I used to be nonetheless not sure. First, I used to be not sure concerning the coloration. I actually didn’t need darkish grey steps. Certainly one of my primary objectives was to have consistency from these steps to the entrance porch to the steps that I’ll ultimately construct on the new bed room door, all of which could be seen from the entrance of our home. And as you understand, I’ve additionally been trying to find a brand new answer for our entrance porch. The entrance porch is wooden (cedar, to be particular), however after attempting at the very least 4 completely different sealers/stains for exterior porches, I haven’t been glad with any of them. All of them appear to look nice proper after the porch is re-sealed, however that new, lovely look doesn’t appear to final lengthy in any respect.

So I went again on-line to see if there have been every other merchandise that I might use not solely on the concrete steps, but in addition on the entrance porch. And in my search, I got here throughout Behr Porch & Patio Ground Paint.

I even have expertise with this product. That is what I used to color the hardwood flooring in my studio. Right here’s what they seemed like proper after I completed the studio in October 2024.

I painted this ground in June 2024, after which went on to construct cupboards and end the studio, and y’all know I’m a really messy DIYer. And but, two years later, the ground nonetheless appears to be like nice. It wants a very good cleansing, however the paint nonetheless appears to be like nice.

However that’s indoor use, and I wasn’t certain about utilizing it open air. My primary concern is that painted surfaces could be slippery once they get moist, and I don’t need to flip my steps into a possible slipping hazard when it rains. However then I observed that this product additionally is available in an anti-slip method. It’s mainly the identical paint with a sand-like product blended into it to provide it extra texture.

I confirmed you yesterday how I prepped and primed the concrete pavers. That is what they seemed like after they have been primed.

I let the primer dry in a single day, after which the steps have been prepared to color. Since this space is so small, I didn’t even hassle with a curler. I simply used a brush to use the entire paint. I brushed on the primary coat after which gave it a number of hours to dry. Then I utilized the second coat, however this time, as a substitute of brushing, I used extra of a pouncing technique in order that the comb strokes wouldn’t present. I additionally had the thought of sponging on a bit of little bit of exterior paint in a lighter coloration to get a extra mottled look.

However after attempting that out on three of the pavers, letting that dry, after which standing again to have a look at them, I made a decision that the look wasn’t well worth the added effort. After letting it dry, after which taking a look at it from a distance, it actually didn’t appear to make that a lot of a distinction.

So I deserted that concept and simply painted the steps with the strong coloration, utilizing that pouncing technique with the comb on the entire space.

I’m very happy with how these steps turned out. They have been plenty of work, however I actually loved working with completely different supplies. I’m so accustomed to constructing with wooden, so this was very completely different for me. I cherished getting out of my consolation zone and studying new issues, although. There was plenty of trial and error that went into this, however now that I’ve executed the entire course of from starting to finish, I believe I can do the following set of steps sooner. And fortunately, the steps to the bed room door are within the shade many of the day. Working within the direct daylight on this facet of the home was actually exhausting. I needed to wait till about 8:00pm final evening to take good photos of the completed steps as a result of this space is within the direct daylight, with no shade cowl in any respect, from dawn till sundown.

I’m particularly excited to lastly have correct steps at this door. Right here’s a reminder of what I had earlier than. I used to be utilizing plain cinder blocks to get out and in of this door.

And right here’s the doorway with the brand new, completed steps. Now I simply have to get the door repainted. Take a look at how a lot that door has pale since I painted it. 😀 However once more, this door will get extra solar than any of the others.

Now that the steps are fully completed, I can’t wait to get the door painted and get some landscaping in place on either side of this door! I believe it already appears to be like cute, however I can simply think about how cute it’ll look as soon as I’ve some vegetation and a freshly painted pink door.