Dressing up your boring concrete patio slab has become a big trend in the DIY scene.
It's all about beautifying your space.I You can add all the potted plants, umbrellas and gorgeous outdoor furniture you can… but that boring blank slab is still staring at you.
I have written several articles about painting faux brick on a patio concrete slab, but how about turning your porch into a ceramic tiled veranda? And… what if you could tile that patio without purchasing one square of tile or one bag of grout? Can you say "budget patio design"?
One reader has this very technique in mind but doesn't know where to start?
Do you have a technique where you can paint a concrete patio to make it look like ceramic tile?Thank youRaquel
Using the same principles as painting faux brick style concrete slabs, you will be able to give your patio a ceramic tiled look.
The concrete should be clean and dry. Scrubbing the slab wouldn't be a favorite job of mine, but is a necessary step. Using a stiff bristled scrub brush and TSP is the best advice I can give. This should clean up any loose cement, bird droppings and spots from shoes, candle drippings or Kool-aid.
Priming may or may not be a step you want to add to the list of steps. Available on the market are special primers for outdoor use... and you can have it tinted to the "grout color" saving you a step. Roll it on the clean slap, taking care not to leave any painted looking lap lines. Use a brush to get into all the corners. Primer should be left to cure… "don't walk on it".
If you have a problem keeping dogs, husbands or children off the slab… maybe you can do the area in sections and build a barrier out of furniture to keep them out of your work space. This project is a big one... and will take more than a few hours, so you will need to have an alternative exit around doors.
After the slab is clean and primed, your are ready to begin the design step. Templates that you make yourself are used in the faux brick video, but using a template might not be the best alternative for a faux tile look.
Keeping the spacing between the tile design… even (the same space between every tile) could be tedious with a template you design yourself. With stencils available in endless shapes and sizes, it is easy to grab up your design of choice and begin drawing or painting in the design.
Tile Stencil Resources:
Mediterranean Tile Stencil
Remember… that you might want to seal your artwork with an outdoor sealer designed for patios and decks. This is entirely up to you, but it will keep the colors vibrant and the faux tile stays looking realistic for much longer.
Good luck to all you industrious types that are tackling this type of project. Send in comments and pictures of your beautiful patios and we will post them up on the web site. This helps encourage others to try DIY Faux Tile projects as well.
Technorati Tags: Faux tile, ceramic tile, painting, patio, deck, concrete, faux painting, that painter lady
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I have been looking for info on how to paint on concrete and appreciate this information that you provided for faux brick patio. You do not mention, or did I miss it, the type of paint that is used to paint these tiles. Thank you for all the good things that you do. Toni
Well… all the professional painters are probably going to scream at this answer!
I use plain old acrylic paints from the craft store. I use American brand most because the paint is highly pigmented.
I know your going to ask about how it wears. Unless you seal the painted surface often… it will wear anyway, no matter what type paint you use.
I have spilled craft acrylic paints on my patio and in the garage… years ago. And… it is still full color splats on the slab, much to my husbands dismay.
Anyway, if craft paint stays on clothing after 40 turns through the washing machine… then I think you can be assured it is a strong paint and will hold up to some wear. Again… sealing the surface often is your best bet for combating wear.