Brighten Up Your Concrete Floors With a New Coat of Paint (2024)

Our Top Picks

For a concrete paint that works in a variety of situations, the Rust-Oleum Epoxyshield Paint is an excellent choice. The epoxy cures quickly and efficiently while still maintaining an even surface. It comes in three colors—armor gray, battleship gray, and sand—you can also add decorative color chips (purchased separately) to have a more speckled look throughout your paint job.

We love that you only need to apply one coat of this concrete paint, saving both time and money in its application. We like that it can hold up to tire wear on an active driveway, as well as UV rays and fluctuations in temperature.

The Rust-Oleum Epoxyshield Paint can be applied on its own, but you may want to apply a top coat for extra durability. If you plan to use this paint around a pool, we recommend mixing the brand's anti-skid additive on top.

_{Type: Epoxy | Finish: Satin | Drying Time: 16 hours | Waterproof: Not listed}

This paint is perfect for basem*nt or garage walls that have previously not been sealed. It creates a waterproof layer on concrete that can help if you're worried about flooding. It creates a thin film that allows moisture to leave the concrete, ensuring bubbles and discoloration don't form in the paint over time.

It has a sandy texture, allowing you to hide imperfections on walls. A one-gallon container can cover up to 100 square feet, although you will need more than one coat for the best waterproofing results.

We wish there were more color options, but you can have the paint tinted—keep in mind that depending on where you buy it, tinting can add extra cost or time. After your first application, you will need to allow some drying time between coats. It is dry to the touch after a thin application within 90 minutes, while the full drying time is three hours. Make sure that you wait at least that long before applying a second coat.

_{Type: Acrylic Latex | Finish: Textured | Drying Time: 2 hours | Waterproof: Yes}

This masonry paint from Seal-Krete can give your walls a fresh look while protecting them from water damage. Masonry means it's meant for exterior walls. Each gallon covers around 125 square feet and this paint can withstand up to 15 pounds of hydrostatic pressure (psi), which is 5 pounds more than our best budget pick. The brand also promises a low-odor application, so less ventilated basem*nts shouldn't take as long to air out.

Keep in mind that this paint only comes in one color (white). However, you can paint on top of this waterproof barrier if you really want to have an accent wall. Note that you should wait the full drying time of 3 hours before it is dry to the touch. You'll also have to wait 24 hours before applying a top coat or finish.

_{Type: Water-based acrylic | Finish: Flat | Drying Time: 3 hours | Waterproof: Yes}

Slip Doctors DuraGrip provides a textured walking surface and can be applied on concrete or steel, as well as wood, natural stone, fiberglass, and tile. Areas that get heavy foot traffic may benefit from this highly textured non-skid surface.

We love that this paint comes in 10 colors, including bright red and yellow. However, if you are looking for a more subdued look, you can also find it in gray, white, and sand. There is even a clear coat that you can apply over existing decks or patios that doesn't impact the color. Simply apply it with a normal paint roller indoors or outdoors. Since it has a strong odor at first, we recommend you open up windows for adequate ventilation if you're painting inside.

_{Type: Epoxy | Finish: Textured | Drying Time: 4 hours | Waterproof: Yes}

The Kitz Decorative Concrete Paint can make your deck, porch, or patio look great and protect them against weather and foot traffic. It has a textured finish that hides imperfections, filling cracks up to 3 mm wide while creating a non-slip surface for safer walking. (For cracks wider than 3 mm, we recommend applying a concrete crack filler.)

While this paint is only available in two colors, tan and gray, both are good neutral colors that can work with a variety of color schemes and decor styles. The 1-gallon container can cover up to 60 square feet which is lower coverage than other options on our list. You'll also want a specific roller cover made for adhesive paints with a 1/4-inch nap.

_{Type: Water-based | Finish: Flat | Drying Time: 4 hours | Waterproof: No}

Concrete paint used on driveways needs to hold up against hot tires as well as a variety of extreme weather conditions. The Daich RollerRock Exterior Concrete Coating is made to resist UV damage, cracking, or peeling. This paint is self-priming and includes real stones in the formula to make it textured as well as hide imperfections. This kit also includes a stone texture roller applicator, so you don't have to buy one.

With 16 colors to choose from, you don't have to pick a neutral. You will need to apply a cleaner and a top coat for the best results. While this sealer is best for outdoor applications (like driveways), you can use this paint indoors—just add a layer of epoxy clear coat as a top coat.

_{Type: Paint | Finish: Textured | Drying Time: 1 hour dry to touch | Waterproof: Yes}

With a skid-resistant finish, the INSL-X Sure Step Acrylic Anti-Slip Coating is perfect for around the pool. We love that it adds texture and comes in seven colors. You should use a roller with a 1/2- or 3/4-inch nap to ensure that the textured formula can adhere correctly. Each gallon covers between 80 and 120 square feet, depending on how thickly you apply it.

You should expect to apply at least two coats for the best results, and you'll need to wait a full 24 hours between coats and five days before walking on it. We recommend pairing the paint with the brand's coordinating primer, especially if the surface you're painting has never been treated. If you're painting outdoors, ensure the surface will not get rained on until the full drying time is up.

_{Type: Acrylic | Finish: Flat | Drying Time: 5 days | Waterproof: Not listed}

To keep them dry and in good shape, damp basem*nts can benefit from an extra coating of waterproof paint on concrete surfaces. We think the KILZ waterproofing paint is ideal for both walls and concrete floors because it waterproofs and seals the surface, creating a protective barrier against water damage. This waterproofing paint can withstand up to 12 psi, which is right in the middle of our best budget and best for walls pick.

This paint only comes in white, although you can paint over the layer of waterproof paint with another standard interior paint if you prefer a different color. You should allow each coat to dry for a full four hours before applying it again. Keep in mind that two coats are needed for full waterproofing, and you may need to use a primer on certain surfaces. Depending on how thickly you paint and the application method that you choose, each gallon can cover between 75 and 125 square feet.

_{Type: Acrylic | Finish: Matte | Drying Time: 4 hours | Waterproof: Yes}

Garage spaces require paint that won’t fade, chip, or otherwise become damaged from tire wear. The KILZ garage floor paint holds up to a lot of tire traffic and you can clean it easily with a mop without worrying about it blistering or fading. It is scuff-resistant for an even, uniform look over time, all in one slate gray color.

Keep in mind that this paint is intended for floors and stairs (and other surfaces you walk on), and can't be used on walls. Drying time is four hours between coats, and you can expect to apply two for the most even finish. It is slip-resistant but not textured, so it isn’t great for places that get a lot of moisture.

_{Type: Epoxy | Finish: Satin | Drying Time: 4 hours | Waterproof: No}

For smaller jobs, the Rust-Oleum spray paint is great for concrete surfaces. It comes in 21 different colors and finish combinations so you can customize the look of your next DIY project. However, not every color is available in every finish. This spray paint creates a barrier against rust on metal surfaces and has even coverage on concrete. We think it is ideal for smaller objects that are made of concrete like chairs, bookends, vases, and more.

Since this is a spray, the application requires a more steady hand for the most even results compared with the other paints on this list—you can just roll over any mistakes with more paint. However, the tip can spray from any angle, which makes it easy to use with odd-shaped items without having to move or rotate them.Each can covers up to 14 square feet. We recommend applying thin coats, which means more coats are needed to fully cover the surface.

_{Type: Enamel | Finish: Gloss, semi-gloss, flat | Drying Time: 1 hour | Waterproof: No}

If you want to change the look of concrete without painting, this concrete acid stain is a good option. We love that it comes in 13 colors, and the acid creates a mottled, natural look on the surface of the concrete. You will need to apply a top coat to seal it in and prevent wear, but we think this step is worth the extra effort because it also makes it easy to clean without damaging the design.

This stain is concentrated, so you’ll need a separate mixing bucket before applying. Depending on the look that you want, you can customize the stain to your taste; just keep in mind that the more you dilute the stain, the less vibrant the color will be. You can use it on indoor or outdoor surfaces, although they should be horizontal—this concrete stain should not be applied to walls.

_{Type: Stain | Finish: Not applicable | Drying Time: Not listed | Waterproof: No}

Final Verdict

FAQ

• How long will concrete paint last?

  Plan to apply a new coat every five years at a minimum for the best concrete paint look and performance. If the area gets a lot of foot traffic, tire traffic, or weather, you may need to apply a new coat earlier. Keeping the concrete clear of snow and ice, as well as periodically cleaning and resealing it, can help increase longevity.

• How do you paint outdoor concrete?

  Before painting an outdoor concrete surface, you should make sure that it is swept clear of any debris and clean. It should also be dry when painting. Try to avoid painting with any rain in the forecast for at least a few days. You can apply concrete paint to exterior surfaces using a roller, brush, or paint sprayer, depending on the recommended application method for your paint.
  

• Do I need to seal a painted concrete floor?

  It is not necessary to seal all painted concrete floors. However, adding another protective layer can prolong the life of the paint. For concrete stains, a top layer is recommended for the best finish. Textured concrete floors may not benefit from a top coat, especially if it interferes with the non-slip texture.

• How do you stop paint from peeling on concrete?

  One of the best ways to prevent peeling paint is to use a paint specifically that's designed for concrete. Adding a layer of concrete-specific primer can be another solution if you want to use another type of top coat paint.

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