Do you have an outdated floor that you want to update on a budget? This stenciled porch floor is an inexpensive flooring solution that any DIYer can create with some paint and a stencil. Let me show you the simple steps!
– cleaner and rags– paint scraper– sandpaper and small sander– primer– paint roller and tray– paintbrush– mineral spirits– measuring tape– painter’s tape– two colors of porch and floor paint– small foam roller– stencil– paper towels
Start by clearing the furniture, rugs, and everything else from your room. CLEAN THE PORCH FLOORThe first thing you need to do before any paint job is clean the surface well. Then use a paint scraper to remove any large loose bits of paint.
The next step is primer. Primer helps seal the floor and helps your paint adhere well. I’m a big fan of Zinsser Cover Stain oil-based primer. It seals in stains, sticks to pretty much anything, and works well over bare wood, oil paint, or latex paint. Use an angle brush to cut in around the edges of your porch and then use a paint roller to paint the rest of the floor.
PAINT THE PORCH FLOOR
Start by painting two coats of your base color. I used Sherwin Williams Snowbound. Again, use an angle brush to cut in around the edges of your porch and then use a paint roller to paint the rest of the floor. Allow the paint to dry fully between coats.
PAINTING THE BORDER
Start by taping off your border with painter’s tape. Use a tape measure for the distance you want from your wall edge then add a second piece of painter's tape for the inner edge.
Paint the border you just taped off using the same base color. The fresh coat of matching paint will very effectively seal the edges of the painter’s tape.
Lay your stencil flat on the floor, slightly overlapping the border you painted.Be sure the stencil is straight and use a couple of pieces of painter’s tape to keep it in place.
Roll a bit of paint onto your roller and then roll the excess off onto a stack of paper towels. Gently roll your roller over the entire stencil design.
Gently pick your stencil straight up and move it to the next section. Line up the pattern with the previous stenciled area, tape it down, and paint. Keep doing this until the floor is finished.
CLEANING YOUR STENCIL
When the paint starts to build up on the stencil, it is time to clean all of the paint from the stencil before continuing. Apply Goof Off and then gently scrub off the paint with a scrub brush.
PORCH REVEAL!
It takes up to 30 days to fully cure or harden.After the first 24 hours, you should be safe to walk on your floor; just be really careful about moving furniture around.