Painting A Doorstep - Everything You Need To Know

Painting Doorsteps

As always it is important to establish whether you can actually paint a surface as not all surfaces should be painted. Doorsteps are usually made of either wood or concrete, both of which can be effectively painted using an appropriate exterior floor paint that can withstand low to medium traffic, which is most often footfall.

Wondering whether to paint your doorstep? There are a number of reasons why it makes a lot of sense:

• You can achieve any look you want using paint using different paint finishes and colours
• First impressions count! A tired looking doorstep can be a real eyesore that can be rectified quickly
• It is a small and easy DIY job that anyone can do

Overall, painting your doorstep can be an easy DIY task to take on for homeowners of all skill levels. It is the perfect way to add that finishing touch to your home's entrance that can make all the difference.

Doorstep Paint

Use A Floor Paint

There are a number of things to consider when painting a doorstep. Firstly, it is crucial that whatever paint you opt for, it is suitable for floors. Some people when painting a concrete doorstep decide to use a masonry paint, which is an exterior paint designed for use on walls. While a masonry paint will adhere to the concrete, it will not perform long-term as masonry paints are specifically formulated to withstand the conditions an exterior wall must endure. A floored surface is very different from a walled surface as it must endure footfall and standing water, both of which will cause masonry paint to fail. This is the same reason that many exterior wood paints are labelled not for use on decking.

Retail Vs Trade Paint

When considering paints to use on doorsteps, you will find many labelled 'doorstep paint' or 'step & tile paint'. These are examples of retail paint, which is generally poorer quality, has a lower coverage and is less durable than alternative trade paints. Trade paints are specially designed to leave a consistently professional finish as easily as possible, which is why professional decorators almost always use a trade paint. Anyone can purchase a trade paint without needing a trade account, it simply offers a better quality paint for those that want one.

It is relatively easy to spot a retail or trade paint as most major manufacturers have both a trade and retail brand, such as Dulux and Dulux Trade. Another key distinction between the two forms is that trade paint rarely is targeted at specific tasks, such as painting doorsteps. Trade paints are simply labelled for their intended use, such as floor paint, while retail paints are marketed at the average homeowner as 'doorstep paint', 'bathroom paint' or 'tile paint', to name a few. While doorstep paints can be applied to doorsteps effectively, they are more often than not poorer quality than a trade quality floor paint.

While retail paint is generally less expensive than trade paint, it in fact offers poorer value for money as it is less durable, meaning it will have to be repainted more quicker, and has a lower coverage, meaning you will need to use more paint for the same area. While it costs slightly more upfront for a good quality trade paint, the long-term value for money far exceeds that of retail paint.

The Best Paints For Doorsteps

When it comes to a coloured floor paint, our experts highly recommend Rust-Oleum 7200 PU Floorcoat, which is an extremely durable floor paint for use on both interior & exterior wood, concrete, tiled or masonry floors. This high durability is thanks to added polyurethane in the paint that helps to prevent the coating from peeling or flaking, which can be a common issue for floor paints.

Aside from it's performance, Rust-Oleum 7200 PU Floorcoat is perfect for achieving any look. It is available in both gloss and satin, allowing you to get the sheen level that is right for you, as well as it being able to be mixed in any RAL, British Standard or NCS shade, plus any equivalent shades of all major paint manufacturers. From a modern anthracite grey to a bold ultramarine blue, you can get any colour you want.

While there are cheaper floor paints on the market, none will perform as well as 7200 PU Floorcoat. After all, if you do a job correctly first time round, you won't have to do it again for years to come.

• Extremely durable
• Can be mixed in any colour
• Available in gloss and satin
• Great coverage of 9 m² per litre
• Can be applied to wood, concrete or masonry doorsteps

Alternative Option

For use particularly in a commercial setting, Rust-Oleum Supergrip Anti Slip Aerosol is an ideal floor spray that can make doorsteps non-skid in a second. It is suitable for a range of materials, including metal, wood, concrete & tiles, making it extremely versatile.

Available in yellow, black and a transparent coating, it is perfect for creating a safe environment on a previously decorated doorstep, which dries in just 5-10 minutes!

How To Paint Radiators

What you will need:

• Floor paint
• Primer (if required)
• Masking tape
• Filler (if required)
• Sandpaper (if required)
• Paint brush
• Paint tray or kettle
• Cleaner & degreaser

Step 1: Preparation

The single most important step of any painting project is to prepare the surface before painting, ensuring it is sound, dry and clean.

Begin by removing any loose material or paint from the step. This may be in the form of loose mortar or debris in any cracks or holes. Once the full surface is sound, apply an exterior filler to any holes or cracks and leave to completely dry, as per the manufacturers instructions. If you are painting a wooden doorstep, ensure you use a wood filler. Once dry, sand the filler back to a smooth edge using sandpaper. Wooden doorsteps should also be sanded all over to create a smooth finish.

Now your surface is sound, it is time to clean it. Using a cleaner & degreaser, clean the surface down and wipe using a cloth. Removing all of the dirt from the surface will ensure the best possible long-term results.

You can then apply masking tape to any edges you do not want to paint. A good-quality masking tape like Q1 Precision Line Masking Tape will prevent any paint bleed through, which can occur when using a cheap masking tape.

Step 2: Priming

Any bare surfaces must be primed before painting, if the paint you are using is not self-priming. If the surface has been previously painted, you do not need to apply a primer. When painting tiled floors, it is important to use a primer as this will aid adhesion on the hard to paint surface.

Ensure you check the correct application process of the paint you are using to confirm. Before you begin applying primer or paint, you must ensure that the surface is completely dry. A wet surface will simply result in the paint failing in no time.

Rust-Oleum 7201 Floorcoat PU Primer is a suitable primer for use with Rust-Oleum PU Floorcoat. You can any primer using a paint roller or paint brush. Ensure you apply your primer in an even but thin layer and leave to completely dry.

Step 3: Painting

Now the important part, the painting. Start with your first coat of paint, applying to the edges of the surface using a paint brush. It is important to start at the top of the stairs and work down, as this will allow you to tidy up any paint drips. Once the edges have been painted, you can then paint the bulk of the surface using a mini-roller, which will ensure you get the best possible finish. A mini-roller such as Wooster Jumbo-Koter Pro/Doo-Z 4.5" Mini-Roller is ideal for the job. Alternatively, you can use a paint brush on the full doorstep, although you are at risk of creating brush strokes, while a mini-roller creates a perfectly smooth finish.

Once you have applied you first coat of paint, leave to completely dry before applying a second coat. This recoat time will vary depending on the floor paint you use. For example, Rust-Oleum PU Floorcoat has a recoat time of 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I get a paint mixed in a custom colour?

There are a number of paints, including floor paints that we can mix in almost any colour with our paint mixing service. To use this, simply search through our colour charts on each product page and select the colour you would like. We do not list all of the colours we can mix on our colour charts, simply a selection of the popular shades. If there is a shade from a different paint brand, including designer paints, that you would like, you can simply type the name of this shade into the text both and we will match that shade.

Q. How many coats of paint will I need?

The majority of good quality trade paints will coat a surface effectively in two coats. Some paints may state otherwise, which means it is important that you check the manufacturers instructions before painting.

We hope this has answered any questions you may have had regarding everything to do with painting doorsteps, from the best door step paint to how to paint them step-by-step. Shop our range of floor paint, decorating tools & supplies we have in stock here at Painters World, all with FREE next working day delivery available.