If you’re going to paint your porch flooring, the dimensional stability of the wood you use for decking it is more significant than its unfinished appearance. Softwoods are easily available and affordable, and they function nicely. Based on the manner of the porch, then you can use either smooth planks or tongue-and-groove ones. Plywood is another option, but consider it only when the porch is going to be covered, and rain is not a problem.
Drainage and Slat Dimensions
If you’re constructing an uncovered porch or one which is partly exposed, drainage is an important issue; you should install smooth forks so you can leave gaps between the floorboards. On a covered porch, tongue-and-groove boards provide the impression of an interior floor, which is more appropriate for a contained space. The board dimensions also affect the overall look of the floor; a porch flooring is generally distinguished from that of a deck by its one-by-three or one-by-four flooring planks, instead of this 2-inch material normally located on a deck. The porch foundation must be assembled with nearer joist spacing, however, so that it may encourage the thinner material.
Softwood or Saunders Hardwood
Even beneath a coat of paint, some forests resist environmental stress better than others. Western red cedar is one of the most stable softwoods; it resists shrinking and swelling, and will not twist or warp. Redwood is a comparably stable alternative that is available primarily in the western portion of the country. There is not much benefit to using a hardwood, such as oak, but you may be able to discover recycled flooring in a building site for your contained porch. In that case, you likely don’t need to strip and mud it — you can paint over the old finish.
Use Dry Wood
Whatever wood you choose for your painted porch, then make sure it’s dry. Should you paint over wood that has not been allowed to dry out properly, the paint will trap the moisture within and difficulties are certain to develop, like warping. Before you set up the flooring floors, it is prudent to prime or paint the bottom of each board and to paint at least two coats on the ends, because moisture tends to seep into the end grain. If you choose knotty wood, make sure you coat the interior of each open knot with both primer and paint.
Composites and Plywood
It is possible to paint some composite flooring stuff, although you want to check the manufacturer’s specifications before you do. Composite manufacturers supply the benefit of a textured, slip-proof surface, which is significant during the winter months if there is a great deal of snow and ice. In case your porch is enclosed, then you might also consider covering the floor with plywood. When covered with two coats of floor paint, it provides a uniform, low-maintenance surface which stands up to indoor/outdoor foot traffic. Should you use plywood, plywood the two sides, and provide a moisture barrier between the joists and the bottom of the plywood.