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Wood floors are sometimes looked at like an extra wall in a space! Adding painted floors to any room is a beautiful way to update your interior space! In recent years, painted wood floors have made a popular comeback, although they are anything but new. People have been painting floors as far back as the 1800s. This style of flooring has been favoured for not only its beauty, character and charm but also its cost-effectiveness and durability.
I had been thinking about painting my old floors for WAY too long and finally took the plunge! So let’s dive into the process for painted wood floors and how they are holding up!
Reasons to Paint Hardwood Floors
There are a number of reasons why a painted hardwood floor can be a good idea.
- The hardwood is too old and thin to be refinished, therefore painting is a great option.
- A dark space can be made to feel bright and even bigger by painting the flooring.
- If the floor has irreparable damage, such as water damage or insects, a fresh coat of paint may be the right choice. It can also help hide imperfections.
- Painted floors are very affordable, quick and quite easy to do yourself. So painting your floors, rather than replacing them, may make sense.
- You love the look of painted floors! I put brand new wood floors in the tiny house cabin and painted them because I love the look of it!
Do you love shiplap too? Read how to choose the right type of shiplap to add to your home.
Types of Floor Paint
With so many different types of paint on the market, it can be hard to know what type is best. No matter type of paint you choose to go with for your painted floors, make sure to use high-quality paint.
There are two common types of porch and floor paint plus a primer and polyurethane:
Oil-Based Primer
A shellac-based primer is a great idea.
Oil-based Paint
You can achieve a high gloss finish by using an oil-based enamel.
Latex Paint
Latex enamel paint will produce a low sheen (no glare) or semi-gloss finish.
Topcoat or Sealant
Like all finished hardwood floors, you can seal painted floors with a final coat of topcoat or polyurethane. Water-based poly is a great option for finishing painted floors as it doesn’t have the fumes that an oil-based poly has and its dry time is much quicker. I use an outdoor, water-based, non-yellowing clear coat on the surface with a stain brush!
Removing Paint From Wood Floors
Painting your floors is not a forever commitment, contrary to what some may say!! As much as some people think it is taboo to paint over an original surface, if you don’t love it down the road, the worst-case scenario is to sand it off! (Believe me… I sanded off at least 7 layers of old paint on different floors in this historic house.)
Plus it is an extremely cost-effective way to update a space, no matter the type of flooring that you are covering!
Floor Paint Durability
Let’s chat quickly about the durability of painted floors! It is completely dependent on what type of floor you paint (a porous tile will hold the paint product longer than a smooth hardwood or laminate floor), which products your use to paint, how much prep work you do and how high of a traffic area it is! Painted flooring, like any other painted surface, may scratch over time!
The most durable floor paint will always be an epoxy floor coating however it is a bit intimidating to work with and if things go sideways, it is not an easy fix! Epoxy floor coatings are waterproof and capable of withstanding significant amounts of abuse, such as heavy weight, and high-traffic areas!
Paint sits on the surface of the floor, rather than soaking into the floor, so it wears away faster. If you take the correct steps to prep your flooring, it will last much longer than if you don’t! I’m ok with a few scratches in mine so I like to touch up every 6 months to a year or so.
I love to use C2 Cabinet Paint with a 10% hardener as it is very durable and fantastic for when you need to do touch-ups. You can’t tell at all where the scratches were!
Love to DIY? See how I added this shiplap ceiling to my bedroom. Or take a look at this easy DIY stair runner tutorial.
Affordability of Painted Floors
There is no right or wrong time for painting your floors however if you are renovating a space and refinishing your floors is out of the question due to a limited budget, painting your floors can be an excellent way to save some money! It is an inexpensive alternative to replacing flooring, and there is much less work, too. Plus, leaving the floors in place means less waste in the landfill.
Painted Floors Design
Painting floors a lighter colour seemed to make the home require less home decor. Think of the room as a canvas, light walls and painted floors allow the pieces of home decor to really stand out against the light-coloured architecture! Every detail that goes into a room with white floors almost becomes amplified thus making it even easier for LESS is MORE decor style!
There are so many different colours, patterns, and design options you use. A classic checkerboard look will brighten any space and give it a nostalgic feel too. Perhaps you choose a picture frame style to add an element of detail to your space. The options for designs are truly endless and there are some great stencils and rollers you can purchase to make the job easier!
Do You Know Your Home Decor Style?
Choosing a Paint Colour for Floors
The paint colour of the floor in a room contributes significantly to the overall feel of the space, and the shade you choose for the room’s walls can either magnify or balance the effect of the floor. You also want to consider the volume of traffic and where the space will be located in the home!
For me, I didn’t want a pure white floor! I knew that dealing with two dogs and kids coming and going through the house, a pure white floor would make me crazy! The custom light color I chose is a very soft grey and will not show nearly as much of the scuffs or dirt then a pure white! The custom colour is the perfect light shade of grey! Here is the custom formula in the Benjamin Moore Solid Stain.
I’m always getting asked what my go-to colour for the interior of my home is. I love Oxford White by Benjamin Moore which is on the exterior and interior of my home. If you want more advice for picking out the perfect paint colour you can check out how to make the best home colour selections.
Preparation For Painting Floors
Wood floors are very easy to paint, but the key is completely in the prep! I still HIGHLY recommend getting a sample piece of flooring similar to your own flooring before you fully commit to your actual floors.
You will need to move out all of your furniture from the space and be prepared not to use the room for several days while the coats dry. Again, you want to make sure you are prepared for this otherwise you risk chipping or scrapping your floors by using them too soon afterwards!
How To Paint Wood Floors
Now that you have all the information you need, let’s dive into how to begin your floors
Tools Used
- Paint Brush
- Paint Roller set, lint-free with heavy coverage and an extender.
- Sanding Blocks, 60 grit to 120 grit.
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Floor Sander, optional
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Materials Required
- Primer, my favourite is the shellac base from Zinsser
- Solid Cabinet Paint with added Hardener or Floor Paint. I recommend C2 Cabinet and Trim paint!
- Polyurethane or Topcoat
Directions For Painting Wood Floors
Sand and Preparation
Lightly sand the entire floor using a belt or orbital sander and 60-grit sandpaper. If it is a very large area, the best way to sand the area is using a drum floor sander. When painting a wood floor, it doesn’t need to be sanded down as much as a floor you are refinishing with stain and poly.
Clean, Vacuum And Repeat
Clean the area thoroughly! Vacuum the surface and wipe it down with hot soapy clean water and a damp cloth. If you are refinishing an old floor, make sure you try and get everything out of the cracks in between the boards in the existing wood floor! Otherwise, the debris will stick to your paintbrush or poly brush! Wipe with a dry towel and let the hardwood flooring dry completely before you begin with the primer.
Apply The Primer
Apply a coat of primer to the surface of the wood planks. Allow the primer to dry completely.
I like to use Zinsser Shellac based Primer. For most primers, you will need to apply multiple coats of primer so that the wood doesn’t bleed through, but the Zinsser Shellac only requires one coat.
Paint Colour Application
Begin by applying the first coat of paint in the colour of your choice in the direction of the wood grain. Allow the floor to fully dry before applying the second coat. For the best results, wait about 8 hours in between each coat. Use a paintbrush to cut in on the edges and corners then a roller for the main part of the floor. Apply at least 2 coats of paint.
Optional if you use the C2 Cabinet Paint**
Final Coat Polyurethane
Apply a thin coat of poly to the surface. Again, make sure to let the coats of poly dry thoroughly before applying the next coat. Make sure to do at least 2 coats of poly for proper protection. If you are painting a floor in a bathroom, kitchen floor or laundry room you can do even more coats.
Curing Painted Floors
The cure time is quick when applying the product! In fact, you have to move quickly while applying it to make sure it doesn’t harden while you are still working with the paint or polyurethane. However, it is important to not walk on the floors for 8-12 hours after the final coat and to be as gentle on the floors for the next week or so. You won’t want a lot of foot traffic if possible.
Caring for Painted Wood Floors
Caring for finished floors is very simple! Most standard floor cleaning products will work on them but I love a double-strength vinegar with essential oils and a mop to clean mine. Any scuffs that appear can usually be wiped away easily with a Magic Eraser! Otherwise, they can be washed the same way as any other hardwood floor!
Tips and Tricks for Painting Floors
- One of the biggest pieces of advice is to keep a vacuum nearby. You almost vacuum as you go because pet hairs and dust seem to continually appear throughout the entire process.
- Make sure to use a brush that is no bigger than the plank size for the best results.
- Use cabinet paint with an added hardener instead of floor paint. This saves a lot of time when you need to do touch-ups as you don’t need to worry about a topcoat
I hope this has answered all of your questions about painted wood floors! This truly is a DIY that even a beginner can take on and be proud of. Let me know what kind of flooring you want to paint! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about the painted floors below!
Frequently Asked Questions
A question I used to ask myself all the time was… Can You Just Paint a Floor? The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Almost any wood, stone, cork, laminate, concrete or any other type of flooring you can think of can be painted BUT it’s very important to do the right steps and preparation before you apply any paint! Make sure you have done your research and have the right products so that all your hard work isn’t peeling or flaking away after just a short period of time!
Sometimes wood floors are painted due to the poor condition they are in and the planks are too thin to be refinished. Painting floors will not only help to brighten a dark space, but it is also much more affordable and much easier for a homeowner to do themselves than refinishing them. Perhaps you are short on time or you just love the look. The reason you choose this style of floor is a decision that you need to make for yourself.
For me, it was the best colour option due to the type of hardwood in my house! I have Fir hardwood floors in my home which have a very orange undertone! After a ton of research, to find out if I could bleach out the orange or perhaps change the pigmentation, I decided that the best option for our family was to paint them! I am still loving them after 2 years! It’s CLASSIC and AFFORDABLE!
I had looked at multiple heritage homes to purchase before we finally got the one we are in! In a lot of these older homes, the wood floors had been painted at some point along the way! I loved the look of the painted floors and the way they looked with wear over time.
The most durable paint product that I have used for wood floors is C2 Cabinet & Trim Paint. It comes in multiple different sheens and I opted for the satin finish. I recommend adding an extra “hardener” (Up to 10% ) to the paint for more durability. This product dries extremely fast, so you can walk on the floors within a few hours if you need to but I do suggest you try to stay off for a few days if it’s possible.
It is easy to work with; durable and cleans nicely. The best part, though … you can do touch-ups and can hardly tell where you applied the new paint because the colour stays the same.C2 Paint also makes a pretty good primer. The primer from c2 does not dry as quickly and hard as the Zinsser primer that we recommend below. However, the c2 primer is water-based, and the Zinsser is oil-based.
Here is the exact paint colour coding that I have used on my floors. It is white with a warm grey tone. I still love this colour!
Over the years, I have tried so many different types of products for painting floors! In the past, I have also finished my floors off by using a clear polyurethane or Harding top coat! I have recently found a cabinet paint product that includes a hardening agent and that works much better! As an added bonus, it also elements the time it takes to apply these last top coats!
How To Paint Wood Floors
Equipment
- Paint Brush
- Sanding Blocks 60 grit to 120 grit.Vacuum CleanerFloor Sander, optional
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Floor Sander optional
Materials
- 1 gal Primer shellac is best
- 1 gal Floor Paint any color
- 1 gal Polyurethane or Topcoat waterbased
Instructions
Sand and Preparation
- Lightly sand the entire floor using a belt or orbital sander and 60-grit sandpaper. If it is a very large area, the best way to sand the area is using a drum floor sander.
Clean, Vacuum And Repeat
- Clean the area thoroughly! Vacuum the surface and wipe it down with hot soapy clean water and a damp cloth. Wipe with a dry towel and let the hardwood flooring dry completely before you begin with the primer.
Apply The Primer
- Apply a coat of primer to the surface of the wood planks. Allow the primer to dry completely.
Paint Colour Application
- Begin by applying the first coat of paint in the colour of your choice in the direction of the wood grain. Allow the floor to fully dry before applying the second coat. For the best results, wait about 8 hours in between each coat.
Final Coat Polyurethane
- Apply a thin coat of poly to the surface. Again, make sure to let the coats of poly dry thoroughly before applying the next coat. Make sure to do at least 2 coats of poly for proper protection.
Notes
- One of the biggest pieces of advice is to keep a vacuum nearby. You almost vacuum as you go because pet hairs and dust seem to continually appear throughout the entire process.
- Make sure to use a brush that is no bigger than the plank size for the best results.
- Use cabinet paint with an added hardener instead of floor paint. This saves a lot of time when you need to do touch-ups as you don’t need to worry about a topcoat.
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