Portray My Exterior Concrete Steps (Merchandise I Used And Why I Selected 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 among 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 lots of studying about it, together with the method required to use the product and the client critiques.

The entire course of appeared exhausting to me. It’s a must to clear the concrete rather well, ideally with stress washing. As soon as it’s dry, then you must use a chemical to etch the concrete. As soon as that’s washed off, then you must let it dry completely after which prime it. After which lastly, you’ll be able to apply the Granite Grip. However from the critiques I learn, it’s a really thick product, and it must 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 had been blended, however the individuals who cherished the product adopted the steps meticulously, and lots of them appeared sure that the individuals who didn’t have success with the product in all probability skipped steps and didn’t observe 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 out there), the etching chemical, the precise primer really helpful within the directions, and the adhesive curler cowl. However after a protracted day of engaged on the steps (I used to be nonetheless constructing the steps on the time) on a sizzling day and dealing within the direct daylight, I made a decision I didn’t wish 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 once I’m exhausted, type of like how it’s best to by no means go grocery procuring if you’re actually hungry, so I went again to Dwelling Depot and acquired the entire merchandise once more. 😀

However I used to be nonetheless uncertain. First, I used to be uncertain concerning the coloration. I actually didn’t need darkish grey steps. One among my essential targets was to have consistency from these steps to the entrance porch to the steps that I’ll finally construct on the new bed room door, all of which might be seen from the entrance of our home. And as you recognize, I’ve additionally been trying to find a brand new resolution for our entrance porch. The entrance porch is wooden (cedar, to be particular), however after attempting at the very least 4 totally different sealers/stains for exterior porches, I haven’t been happy with any of them. All of them appear to look nice proper after the porch is re-sealed, however that new, stunning look doesn’t appear to final lengthy in any respect.

So I went again on-line to see if there have been some other merchandise that I may 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 appeared 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 great 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 essential concern is that painted surfaces might be slippery once they get moist, and I don’t wish 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 system. It’s mainly the identical paint with a sand-like product blended into it to present it extra texture.

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

I let the primer dry in a single day, after which the steps had been prepared to color. Since this space is so small, I didn’t even trouble with a curler. I simply used a brush to use the entire paint. I brushed on the primary coat after which gave it just a few hours to dry. Then I utilized the second coat, however this time, as an alternative of brushing, I used extra of a pouncing methodology in order that the comb strokes wouldn’t present. I additionally had the concept of sponging on somewhat 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 take a look at them, I made a decision that the look wasn’t definitely worth the added effort. After letting it dry, after which 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 methodology with the comb on the entire space.

I’m very happy with how these steps turned out. They had been lots of work, however I actually loved working with totally different supplies. I’m so accustomed to constructing with wooden, so this was very totally different for me. I cherished getting out of my consolation zone and studying new issues, although. There was lots of trial and error that went into this, however now that I’ve performed the entire course of from starting to finish, I feel I can do the following set of steps sooner. And fortunately, the steps to the bed room door are within the shade a lot 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 night time to take good footage 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 utterly completed, I can’t wait to get the door painted and get some landscaping in place on either side of this door! I feel it already appears to be like cute, however I can simply think about how cute it’ll look as soon as I’ve some crops and a freshly painted pink door.