Paint or Stain ?

[Nyboy]

I have cement steps I want to paint. They have never been painted, I will have them pressure washed before painting. What will last longer with foot traffic paint or stain? Can I add sand to paint or stain so steps are not slippery when rains? Any tips about painting steps? Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

I cant answer your question about which would last longer, but I worked in the offshore industry designing, building, and installing the offshore platforms. Wed often sprinkle sand on wet paint before it dried to help make it less slippery. In high traffic areas the sand will eventually be worn away, but it does make a huge difference, especially if the steps are wet.

 

[canesisters]

I'm sure someone will have some experienced advice soon ... but, it seems to me that stain would last longer. I've seen painted cement/concrete where the paint peels/flakes off and it's white underneath. And I've seen plain concrete where something spilt and stained it and nothing seems to take it off.
jmho

 

[Nyboy]

Ridgerunner thanks was going to mixsand in can but your way better

 

[Carol Dee]

My DH is a commercial industrial painter. You will be amazed at the products on the market! Go to any good paint store and ask. They are very helpful. Putting the sand on top will probably give you more bite than having it mixed in where the paint will coat the sand grains, too. Whatever you use, paint or stain be sure it is meant for concrete. It will last much longer.

 

[lesa]

They sell an epoxy mix for concrete that works great and lasts a good long time. It is a bit of a pain to apply- but for steps that get used everyday, I would suggest it. I paint concrete floors all the time in my storage units. I use the cheapest grey concrete paint they have at Home Depot. It looks great when you first apply, but it doesn't hold up well. I like to paint the floor before each customer moves in, so this isn't a problem for me... but I wouldn't use it on my front steps! Good luck! Let us know what you decide...

 

[Ridgerunner]

Carol, Id love to hear what your husband has to say on this. Hes obviously more of an expert than I am. I watched others paint, didnt do it myself. We had a paint expert for that. Ron volunteered to become our paint expert. He figured it was job security since no one else wanted that dirty job.

I think youll find the paint would quickly wear off the top of the sand even if it were mixed with the paint. Paint wont stay on a knife edge, it just wears right off. We always rounded the corners on anything we were painting, steel or wood.

 

[NwMtGardener]

I would suggest concrete stain, but mostly because i think it looks really great, not from any real experience of applying it.

 

[Smart Red]

My BFFs both stained their concrete - one a basement and one an enclosed front porch. In eight years, with LOTS of washing and mopping, the front porch looks as good as new. The basement is used less often but looks great. They both used 3 colors and ended up with a marbled effect.

I would go for the stain. I really wish I had stained my basement floor.

 

[Nyboy]

Seems like stain is the better choice.