Can pavers be painted? How to do it?
The information below has been sourced from https://sspavers.com/
Painting brick and concrete pavers has become a huge DIY trend. But can pavers be painted? Is it really the best choice for turning your paver patios new again? If you want your pavers to have a fresh look, this article is for you!
Sometimes, just because a choice is popular, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the correct one. We have seen many installations gone completely array because of bad choices – in the hardscape industry, nothing is as simple as it seems.
Of course, this includes the painting of pavers. So let’s jump right into it and understand the topic once and for all.
Can pavers be painted?
The short answer is yes! Yes, they can — but should you do it? Well, there are several pros and cons to it, and we will give you all the info to decide for yourself.
Most people decide to paint pavers when they are not satisfied with the way they look anymore. Be it because they lost color due to sun exposition, or because they look aged — you name it. There are many reasons why one would no longer be content with their pavers.
When that does happen, painting is the first thing that comes to mind as a way to make them look better. However, knowing if can pavers be painted, it’s not the only way.
Truth be told, well-maintained pavers are supposed to last for decades. Out of experience, we found out that, most of the time, pavers can be made to look like new again and even regain their old color by cleaning and sealing.
With that in mind, it’s only worth it to paint pavers if you, the homeowner, are uncomfortable with their original color, and would like something completely different.
If that’s your goal, then painting might be the solution. However, you should keep in mind the cons of painting as well before moving forward, which you can check below.
Cons of painting pavers
You see – when asking if can pavers be painted, a few compromises are made in terms of structural integrity, aesthetic appeal, and even durability.
Painting creates an artificial colored film over the pavers — which succeeds in changing its color but also creates a membrane that prevents moisture from escaping the pavers.
With time, painting layers are bound to peel, especially if the pavers are heavily used (such as a driveway, for instance). Besides, the finishing one can obtain from painting pavers is heavily dependent on one’s own talent for it.
With all those factors considered, it’s important to know that if you’re not satisfied with your pavers you have options other than painting!
3 alternatives to painting pavers
Yes, pavers can be painted, but as you’ve probably noticed, there are a lot of downsides to it. Here are the alternatives you should consider instead:
1 – Cleaning & sealing
You might be thinking we’re crazy, but we’re not. Most of the time, your pavers did not discolor – they have just been dulled by a membrane of dust. With pressure washing, we can give them a fresh look and remove some of the deepest stains.
When you add a color-enhancing sealer on top of that, the result is nothing short of amazing.
Cleaning and sealing services are the right choices 9 out of 10 times, especially if it’s been more than 10 years since you’ve installed your pavers.
2 – Paver staining
Although staining is normally something a homeowner does not want, in this case, we’re talking about controlled staining that changes your paver colors. The application process is very similar to painting, with the difference lying in how each option works.
Staining products don’t coat the pavers — they penetrate their surface, which means they grant a more natural look that won’t peel off and is actually easier to apply.
If you’re dead set on changing your paver colors, staining should definitely be your go-to choice rather than painting.
Nevertheless, whichever you choose, you should get a pressure washing service first, since you don’t want to paint or stain over dirt.
3 – Get new pavers
There are hundreds of options of concrete pavers that look beautiful and are incredibly cheaper than brick or natural stone. If you’re tired of how your pavers look, get a quote for laying new ones!
Since there will be no need for digging and leveling again, the price will be way cheaper than you’re expecting. Check out our pavers catalog to see amazing and inexpensive options.
How to paint pavers?
So now you know that the answer to “Can pavers be painted?” is yes – but there are many better alternatives to change the appearance of your pavers. But if neither of these alternatives sounds appealing to you, and you still want to paint your pavers, here is a quick guide on how to do it.
First, be sure your pavers are completely clean before starting anything. A pressure washing session will do the trick just fine, just make sure your pavers are completely dry before moving on.
Once your pavers are dry and clean, apply a concrete prime to make sure the paint will stick to them. The right kind of paint to use is one with one part turpentine and four parts paint. You might need to apply three or four layers of paint to reach the desired effect.
After the paint dries, you need to seal your pavers, otherwise the paint won’t last. Choose a good concrete sealer and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can pavers be painted? They can, but it doesn’t mean they should
We know you came here to know more about how to paint pavers. However, working with them every day as we do here at SS Pavers, we couldn’t let you continue searching without telling you that maybe cleaning is all you need. Trust us, it is that way 90% of the time.
Do you want our free professional advice on the matter? Call us if you live in Sarasota or Manatee counties — we will drive by and let you know if pressure washing can achieve the results you’re expecting! Plus, we can give you a free estimate for that.
If you liked this article, please share it with your friends, so they can avoid the common mistake of painting over dust layers that can be removed.
FAQ
- How can I change the color of my pavers?
Aside from painting, the other option is staining your pavers. You can do that using specific stain products or tinted sealers. They are usually applied with a pump spray evenly all across the paver installation and left to dry for a while. - What is the best paint for concrete pavers?
Concrete coating is considered the best in that aspect. A heavy favorite of many professionals is the Rust-Oleum 301303 Sunset Decorative Concrete Coating. - How do you make old pavers look good?
As we mentioned in the article, most cases can be resolved with simple cleaning and resealing of your installation, which can make your pavers look exquisite again right off the bat. - How long does paver paint last?
That will depend on exactly what technique you have used. While staining with solutions can last for decades, using a tinted sealer lasts for two to three years. - Does sealing change the color of the pavers?
It can, yes. Not every sealer does it, there are still options that simply enhance the natural color of your pavers. But some sealers can slightly alter the color of pavers, and some other options do it purposefully – those are what we call tinted sealers. - Why do pavers turn black?
Mildew is the most common cause of pavers turning black. Fortunately, there are many cleaning products in the market that can help you with that, as well as prevent it in the future. A thorough cleaning followed by sealing can help you a ton with mildew problems and restore the colors of your pavers.
The information above has been sourced from https://sspavers.com/