Floor coatings · by surface/Patio, porch & walkway
Patio, porch & walkway
Patios, porches and walkways carry foot traffic only, so low-odor water-based coatings and stains work well and are the easiest DIY.
- Many services same day/walk-in
- Local experts in Delray Beach
At a glance
- Suitable products: Water-based concrete coating & stain, Sealer, Xylene concrete coating & stain
- Difficulty: 2/5
Best way to prep
- Pressure wash
- Scrape loose paint
- Etch bare or smooth concrete
- Let dry overnight
Tips
- Lighter colors stay cooler underfoot
- Mix non-skid additive into the final coat of any area that gets wet, as a safety measure to reduce slipping
Products to consider
Recommended for patio, porch & walkway
Rating key
- Cost$ budget → $$$$ premium
- Strength1 light duty → 5 heavy duty
- LifespanYears before recoating
- Look1 basic → 5 showroom
- Dry timeWalk-on · drive-on · recoat
Tuff Top · Water-based concrete coating & stain
Tuff Top Water-Based Concrete Coating
Patios, porches, walkways and pool decks
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 2–4 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 4–6 hours · Drive Not for cars · Recoat 2–4 hours
Features
- Low odor
- Soap-and-water cleanup
- Many colors
Upside
- Easiest to apply
- Safe to use near the house
- Budget friendly
Downside
- Not hot-tire safe
- Wears faster in high traffic
Apply with: Roller or brush
Benjamin Moore · Water-based concrete coating & stain
Benjamin Moore Floor & Patio
Porches, patios and interior concrete or wood floors
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 2–4 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 4 hours light use · Drive Not for cars · Recoat 4 hours
Features
- Any Benjamin Moore color
- Low lustre
- Concrete or wood
Upside
- Huge color choice
- Low odor
Downside
- Not hot-tire safe
Apply with: Roller or brush
INSL-X · Water-based concrete coating & stain
INSL-X Tough Shield Floor & Porch
Concrete and wood floors, porches and basements
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 24 hours light use · Drive Not for cars · Recoat 4 hours
Features
- Concrete and wood floors
- Water-based
Upside
- Tough for a water-based coating
- Easy cleanup
Downside
- Not for hot tires
Apply with: Roller or brush
Tuff Top · Sealer
Tuff Top Concrete Sealer
Pavers and bare concrete you want to protect, not cover
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 2–4 hours · Drive 24 hours · Recoat 1–2 hours
Features
- Clear
- Enhances color
- Locks in paver joint sand
Upside
- Keeps the natural look
- Makes stains easier to clean
Downside
- Doesn't hide cracks or stains
- Needs resealing every few years
Apply with: Pump sprayer or roller
Richard's Paint · Sealer
Richard's 51 Paver Seal Clear Gloss Sealer
Brick pavers and exterior concrete — wet-look gloss
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- —
- Look
- Dry time
- Ask the store
Features
- Solvent acrylic
- Clear gloss, wet look
- Non-yellowing
- Hot-tire resistant
Upside
- Penetrates and seals
- Resists oil, grease and stains
- Enhances paver color
Downside
- Exterior use only
- Solvent odor — ventilate
Apply with: Brush, roller or low-pressure sprayer
Richard's Paint · Sealer
Richard's 54 Shield's All HP Concrete & Paver Sealer
Low-odor clear gloss for pavers, patios, pool decks and garages
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- —
- Look
- Dry time
- Ask the store
Features
- Water-based self-crosslinking acrylic
- Clear gloss
- Hot-tire resistant
- Interior & exterior
Upside
- Low odor, water cleanup
- Can clear-coat over colored floor coatings
- Wear and moisture resistant
Downside
- Gloss can be slick when wet — add non-skid
Apply with: Roller or sprayer
Tuff Top · Xylene concrete coating & stain
Tuff Top Xylene Concrete Coating
Driveways and carports where cars park
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 2–4 hours · Drive 24–48 hours · Recoat 1–2 hours
Features
- Hot-tire resistant
- Bites into concrete
- Recoats into itself
Upside
- Handles cars and sun
- Fast dry
- Easy to refresh later
Downside
- Strong solvent odor — respirator needed
- Not for enclosed spaces
Apply with: Roller or sprayer
INSL-X · Xylene concrete coating & stain
INSL-X TuffCrete Solvent Acrylic Concrete Stain
Driveways, patios and pool decks
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 2 hours · Drive 24–48 hours · Recoat 2 hours
Features
- Xylene-based solvent acrylic stain
- Waterproofing
- Hot-tire resistant
Upside
- Penetrates deep into concrete
- Fast drying
- Natural stained look
Downside
- Stain shows the concrete underneath — it won't hide patches
Apply with: Roller, brush or sprayer
Rhino Hide · Non-skid additive
Rhino Hide Non-Skid Additive — Coarse
Adding grip to any floor coating — especially pool decks, ramps and wet areas
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- —
- Lifespan
- As long as the coating
- Look
- —
- Dry time
- Walk Follows the coating · Drive Follows the coating · Recoat —
Features
- Coarse grit
- Works in most floor coatings
Upside
- Safer footing when wet
- Cheap insurance
Downside
- Rougher to clean than a smooth floor
Apply with: Stir into the final coat
Ratings and dry times are typical values — confirm with our counter staff for your conditions.