Best Paint for a Concrete Patio

Maureen asks,

I live in Nebraska with extreme heat in the summer and cold in the winter. I have a cement patio that I would like to repaint I am looking for the best paint options and wondering if they make a outdoor epoxy finish. I did etch the cement before the first time I painted it and plan on sanding before I repaint .

Our Answer

First off, you really don’t need a finish for concrete. The #1 thing that causes deterioration is poor drainage. As long as it’s is sloped for water run off, you’re ok. If you want to put a finish on it anyway, it can be stained (look for specialty concrete stains) or painted. But keep in mind that after paint comes REpaint! Epoxy paint is also a good option. I recommend the Abatron products. They are a pro line and really durable. Check out the Garage Floor Coatings. These can be used on a patio as well.

You can also get creative by painting a “rug” design on a patio or even painting a mural. For these though, you’d need to use traditional concrete paint because epoxy doesn’t lend itself well to anything other than a complete coat.