Skip Pricey Tiles: There's A Smarter Way To Update Your Porch With Paint

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As the first point of entry between the indoors and outdoors, the front porch makes a big impact on your home's curb appeal. A plain, basic, or worn concrete slab does very little to extend a welcoming, elevated aesthetic. However, a custom patterned look makes you feel like you're on a luxury vacation. But with fancy exterior tile comes a pretty price tag. It can set you back $15 to $45 per square foot for material and installation. That certainly isn't in everyone's budget. 

Thankfully, you can achieve a timeless tile look for much less. Use a stencil to trace the pattern and use two colors of concrete enamel to paint a checkerboard pattern on the porch floor. Proper prep to seal cracks and prime the concrete, as well as several coats of finishing sealer, are essential. That way, this elegant design can withstand the elements. Then, it will give the porch a chic, stylish, and welcoming first impression for years to come.

To create your own checkerboard porch floor, begin by giving the concrete a thorough pass with the pressure washer and vacuum to remove dirt and debris. For slabs with small cracks and gaps, use a concrete caulking, like DRYLOK Masonry Crack Filler, to fill them and create a smooth base surface. It's also prudent to apply an exterior concrete primer for the best longevity.

First, paint the entire porch with 1 or 2 coats of the lightest of your two colors. It's essential to use an exterior paint specifically formulated for concrete to allow the porous material to expand and contract with exposure to the elements. Use thin scrap wood or a similar material to make a template of the tile shape you want to replicate. For example, a 12-by-12-inch square turned on the diagonal can form the alternating diamond pattern. You could also try a different classic tile pattern such as stars and crosses if you prefer.

Use the stencil to trace the pattern onto the entire surface. Then, use 1 or 2 coats of the darker secondary color to fill in every other diamond. If you have a steady hand, cut in the perimeter of each shape by hand. For those less confident about creating crisp edges, use a straight edge ruler or wallpaper smoothing tool for help. When dry, apply multiple coats of an exterior concrete sealer. A well-protected porch will better resist fading from the sun and high-traffic wear and tear.