Screen Porch Floor – To Paint or Stain & What Color?

April 9, 2018
IN: outdoor, outdoor living, porch, screen porch, screened porch

Even though we are going to be building a new home, we’re, at the very least, over a year but probably more likely closer to two years away from actually moving. Did that run-on sentence make sense to anyone but me? Moral of the long-winded story is we’re quite aways away from selling this house and moving into the next one. And while I have no major renovations planned for our sixth (and current) house, I do have plenty of little projects on my agenda. My “housekeeping” list is all about tackling things that will help us to sell quickly when the time comes.

And one thing that definitely needs some attention is our screen porch floor. Honestly? It’s needed some attention for quite awhile now. The wood itself is in great shape, but the stain in a lot of areas looks pretty bad. It’s hard to tell in photos, but in real life it looks “distressed” and not in a good way. 😉

Stain? Paint? Color Options?

Our screen porch floor could really use a good power washing and re-staining/painting. It’s currently covered in a solid stain, but I’m not sure if I want to refinish it with a stain or a paint? Do you have opinions either way? I think paint might be easier to work with, but I wonder what will have more wherewithal?

And since I have to stain or re-paint, I’m feeling like changing the color might make this rather mundane, time-consuming task a bit more fun. I mean, I’ve never really been a fan of the dark brown stain in the first place.

Here’s a look at how this space looked three years ago when we moved in.

I had the ceiling painted blue which compliments the green siding really well and doesn’t show dirt as bad as the white ceiling did.

And I also painted the screen door the same color pink as our front door.

So I’m looking for a floor paint or stain color that will flow well with the green siding, blue ceiling and pink door. Finding a color is turning out to be bit of a brain buster. I know it’s not rocket science, but I can’t seem to make up my mind. While the current brown is a nice neutral, it just feels so drab to me.

Porch Floors I’m Loving

I love how white looks, but I’m not sure how practical it would be with two dogs.

Southern Living

Maybe I should do the floor the same color as the ceiling?

Cortney Bishop

Or should I paint the floor the same color green as the siding?

House Beautiful

Or maybe I should go for grey which feel like a more modern neutral and still a change from brown?

Better Homes & Gardens

As you can see I’m on the struggle bus with this decision. Indecision is adding to my procrastination. So help a sister out! Shout out your thoughts in the comment section!

you might also love

Go with the grey. i have used grey in our new home for the first time, and I love the way i can use so many colors with it and easily change the feel for each season. It falls into the background and allows the things to come together much better than browns. Just my observation.

i would do a pale gray- something in the warm grays so it hides dirt well! also since you will be moving and you know that, a gray is a nice neutral and safer. 🙂

I think gray would be a nice, easy neutral. Particularly for a future buyer. It would work with almost any decor in the future.

You now need to consider resale even now. I always said that once we ever decided to put a house on the market, our home morphed into a commodity ready for a business transaction. The personal attachment has to go. You’ve sold plenty of homes and probably know this already. Perhaps you can look around at the most popular finishes in Charleston. Do people use mostly stain or paint? Or check with your realtor to see what she would recommend. She knows the market.

I’d go with the grey!

I would go with a grey stain instead of paint.

do a black and white diamond painted floor. Add some whimsy?

I like the look of the current brown stain. Of the options presented, I would go with the green siding color. My front porch is similarly painted (floors and siding one color, ceiling another, door another). I think limiting the palette would make the space seem even more peaceful.

Think resale but I like the neutral of stain.

I’m no expert – so take this with a grain of salt – but I think a stain would probably hold up better than paint. Maybe a grey stain?? Slightly more modern than the brown but neutral enough to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. I do LOVE the white but it might scare off some buyers.

I think the color of the siding or the grey are definitely the top two contenders. I think if you stripped the current solid stain and did something in a different shade, that could be beautiful and a little more durable.

I think a grey stain for reasons already stated – neutral color that matches what is there, stain holds up better than paint. Semi-solid stain might be best, depending on what you need to stain over (do a patch test if needed 😉 Good luck!

If you didn’t have resale to worry about, I’d say you should go with black and white stripes because that just seems so you. But, that being said, I think gray is a nice neutral option that will work well for resale.

I agree with many others. Grey stain would be pretty and hold up well.

I struggled with the same issue with my screened in porch and instead of painting or staining I got a really big seagrass rug that covered (almost) the entire floor of the porch. Or you could get a couple matching to fit correctly. I absolutely love the texture and can still throw a decorative rug over the top if I wanted.

I would suggest you go with gray, and a stain too. Grey tend to hide dirt and provide a warmer and neutral feel. go for it

I would suggest you go with gray, and a stain too. Grey tend to hide dirt and provide a warmer and neutral feel. go for it and I HOPE YOU WOULD ENJOY IT

Definitely a gray solid stain. You MUST think durability with your two dogs and resale.

I would not paint the floors….it does not hold up well. Have you considered a light gray/white stain? It might lighten everything but hold up better. And any color someone adds is going to work.

May I suggest the color of the ceiling fan? This would not really add color, which you have enough of elsewhere but would freshen it up and hide puppy tracks quite well. Good lucK. Love your photos!

Gray for sure. There is a product that isn’t quite paint but has more coverage than stain – I called it “stain paint” and I got it at Ace. I did gray on a porch in Charlotte and it was a huge hit when we sold because it wasn’t the typical brown stain.

Gray is my vote too…I like the look of paint but stain may be more easy care. On an side note, I love the fit pit you have in the room. Recall where it was purchased and how long ago?

Thanks for sharing Erin! I’ll see if I can find what you’re talking about at my local store!

If I didn’t have to consider resale I’d be more bold, but a pattern might turn potential buyers off.

Well, once it is painted- you’re stuck with painting it for a long time (although that would become the new owner’s problem! ha!). You can stain and then paint, but not the other way around. The first home we bought had a painted green deck so we were forced to paint it again which I chose a navy blue. Big mistake- with 2 dogs, every single paw print was visible. I had to rinse the deck constantly. I really wished they didn’t paint it because it limits options considerably.

I love the idea of white, but with dogs that could be messy. If I were you, I would stick with a gray stain. Neutral enough, but not boring. I wouldn’t add another paint color- you don’t want it overwhelming and/or competing with each other. Keep the colors to the decor (pillows, rug….etc) so the colors you really notice are outside. 🙂 As for resale- keep it neutral!

Thanks for sharing your experience! Super helpful!

Grey is perfect!

Stain? Paint? Color Options?

Porch Floors I’m Loving

Share this

you might also love

Be the first to know!

Want to be a Fifth House Insider?

Get the latest updates, exclusive content and behind the scenes photos delivered to your inbox weekly!

Privacy Policy