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Painted floors in a tiny house cabin
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How To Paint Wood Floors

Painted wood floors are an inexpensive, easy DIY that even a beginner can take on. Follow this step-by-step process for painting floors.
Prep Time1 hour
Active Time2 hours
Total Time15 hours
Course: home improvement
Keyword: how to paint a wood floor, painted floors, painted wood floor
Yield: 1 floor
Author: Deborah McDonald
Cost: $250

Equipment

  • Paint Brush
  • Paint Roller set lint-free with heavy coverage and an extender.
  • 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 appear throughout the entire process continually. 
    • Make sure to use a brush 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.