Can you paint paving slabs?
As your local paving specialists, we’re often asked: ‘can you paint paving slabs as a low-cost alternative to a full refurb?’ While the answer is ‘yes’, it’s best not to dive in without research. Your DIY job will look better and last longer with preparation.
By this, we mean taking a quick trip to your local home improvement shop and sourcing the right equipment: a good-quality patio cleaner, wire brush, paint roller, and so on.
The goal here is to revive worn paving without the cost of relaying it (which can be more expensive, especially if you’re not sourcing products from top-quality suppliers). It’s important to remember, however, that not every type of slab can be painted.
Concrete flags are the easiest because their texture gives the coating something to key into; natural stone may simply need a deep clean instead, and porcelain nearly always looks better when maintained rather than coated.
Can I paint my patio slabs?
You most certainly can, but as we just mentioned, painting lends itself better to some materials than others.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you can do with the main types of paving slabs:
Can I paint concrete slabs?
Yes! Concrete paving is the simplest surface to recolour because the cement paste gives paint a textured surface to grip onto. When choosing patio paint, we recommend skipping ordinary masonry paint.
While it’s often cited for its acrylic-based formula (which adheres well to stone and concrete), masonry paint is generally meant for vertical walls and will break down under rainy UK weather.
Instead, we recommend purchasing specialist floor stone paint.
Can I paint natural stone (sandstone, limestone, slate, granite) slabs?
It depends on the stone. Some patio stains are specially designed for non-absorbent stones, such as dense flags made from granite or slate, which accept colour because moisture cannot creep underneath.
But highly porous stones (e.g., sandstone, limestone and travertine) soak up water, so any film-forming paint is likely to flake quickly.
So, if you’re working with non-absorbing materials (such as certain kinds of natural stone paving), we recommend pressure washing to restore their original tones rather than painting.
Can I paint porcelain slabs?
Porcelain paving slabs are fired at very high temperatures until they are almost vitrified (meaning they become a glass-like substance).
As such, they’re usually more costly to purchase and install. Most homeowners with patio paving prefer to maintain and clean porcelain rather than coat it.
The glass-like surface gives paint almost no bite, so even specialist floor products struggle to stay put. Instead of painting, we recommend washing with a mild patio cleaner to keep the finish looking fresh.
What equipment do you need?
If you’re wondering, ‘can you paint paving slabs without preparation?’, the answer is a definitive no. There’s no getting around it: restoring your patio to its original condition isn’t possible without some elbow grease. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Stiff outdoor broom or wire brush
- Pressure washer (or a hose fitted with a jet nozzle) (optional for deep-cleaning)
- Patio cleaner or moss remover
- Heavy-duty plastic dust sheets (optional for protecting nearby plants)
- Masking tape or tacky film (optional for protecting borders, drains and adjoining paving)
- Concrete etch solution or keying primer
- 9-inch paint roller on a telescopic pole
- Masonry brush
- Paint tray and stirring stick
- Sealant
How to paint a patio
1. Brush/clean
Start by sweeping the whole patio with a stiff broom or wire brush to shift loose grit, leaves and dust.
With this first sweep, you’ll stop debris from being pressed into the surface later. Follow up with a hose or pressure-washer rinse to clear fine dirt, then tackle any moss or mould with a patio cleaner so that the paint can bond.
Heavy staining may require a specialist detergent, and the slabs must be completely dry before moving on to the next step.
2. Prepare
Choose a spell of dry weather, ideally above 5 °C, before starting this job (because if it rains or becomes frosty while the coating cures, you risk spoiling the finish).
Start by masking the edges of walls, drains and any decorative insets with tape or tacky film and cover nearby plants with dust sheets.
3. Paint
Pick a coating specifically designed for patios or concrete floors. Stir the tin thoroughly, start in the corner furthest from the door and work back in sections.
Use a 9-inch roller on a pole for smooth flags and a 4-inch masonry brush for textured ones or joints the roller can’t reach. If you want extra protection, a clear breathable sealant can be applied once the colour coat is touch-dry.
4. Enjoy!
Light foot traffic is usually fine after 24–48 hours for paint and after a few hours for many patio stains, but you should treat the surface gently during the first week.
Leave heavy furniture until the full cure time has elapsed (this may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer).
Shop for natural stone paving with Ovation Landscaping!
So, can you paint paving slabs? It’s a resounding ‘yes’ from us!
But what if you’re thinking of starting fresh instead of repainting? Well, in that case, explore the hand-picked sandstone, limestone and granite slabs in our natural stone paving collection and have them delivered straight to your door!
With nationwide delivery (and as a family-owned business in Merseyside), we stand by the quality of every pack. Order online today and give your garden a lasting upgrade!