Deck and Porch Staining · Aug 2024
Covered porch floor painted
Covered porch floor painted. These are before and after photos from the job, taken Aug 2024. This deck and porch staining project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Worn Wraparound Porch Floor Repainted Gray With White Railings
This project was a long covered porch that wraps around a red brick home. The before photo shows a blue-gray painted floor that had faded and worn thin. Scuffs, dark spots and bare patches showed along the boards and down the wide steps, and leaves had collected near the walls. The white railings, square posts and beadboard ceiling framed the porch, but the tired floor pulled the whole space down. The after photo, taken from the other end of the porch, shows a fresh coat of medium gray on every board. The color is even from the brick wall to the railing, and the paint still has a slight wet sheen in spots where it was just applied. A five-gallon bucket and a paint can sit on the floor. The white railings and beadboard ceiling look clean and bright against the new gray, and the brick and black lanterns stayed untouched.
How We Refreshed This Covered Porch Floor, Board by Board
- We swept the porch and cleared leaves and debris from between the boards. Dirt left in the gaps can get pulled into the brush and leave grit in the finish.
- The floor was washed to remove mildew, dirt and chalky old paint, then left to dry fully. Painting over damp wood is one of the main causes of peeling.
- We scraped any loose or flaking paint and sanded rough spots smooth. Bare wood areas got spot primed so the new color would look even across worn and sound boards.
- Tape and plastic went along the brick, door thresholds and the bottom of the white railings and posts so the floor color would not mark them.
- We applied porch and floor paint with brushes and rollers, working along the length of the boards and cutting in at the walls and posts.
- A second coat went on after the first dried. Then the porch stayed closed to foot traffic while the paint cured enough to handle chairs and shoes.
Paint Colors Similar to This Gray Porch Floor
For a porch with a similar gray floor and white rails, consider these nearby colors, which are not the exact paint applied to this porch.
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray HC-168
A medium gray with a little warmth, close to the floor color here. It hides dirt well and sits nicely beside red or orange brick.
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail SW 7018
A softer warm gray that would keep a porch floor a touch lighter. It still pairs well with crisp white rails and posts.
Sherwin-Williams Pure White SW 7005
A clean, gentle white for railings, spindles and beadboard ceilings like these. It reads bright without looking stark next to brick.
Questions About Painting a Porch Floor
Should I paint or stain my porch floor?
If the floor already has paint, repainting is usually the practical choice, since stain cannot soak into painted wood. Paint also gives a solid, even color on a covered porch. Stain works best on bare wood where you want to see the grain and texture of the boards.
How long before we can walk on a freshly painted porch floor?
Light foot traffic is often fine after a day, depending on weather and the paint. Furniture, rugs and heavy use should wait longer, often a few days to a week or more, while the coating hardens. Humid or cool weather slows drying, so we plan around it.
Why does porch floor paint peel, and how do you prevent it?
Peeling usually comes from moisture, dirt or loose old paint under the new coat. Cleaning well, letting the wood dry, scraping loose spots and priming bare wood all help. Using a paint made for porches and floors matters too, because it is built to handle foot traffic.
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