How to Paint Wood Floors

Warmth with a painted floor

Painting a wood floor is not only an inexpensive way to cover a multitude of flaws, it adds a cheery quality to any room and is easy to maintain. From a sleek contemporary look to cottage casual, it offers a number of design options for informal and formal decor.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning supplies
• Orbital sander
• Hand sander
• Sandpaper - coarse and fine
• Dust mask
• Wood filler compound
• Painter's tape - 2" wide
• Paint roller with 48" extendable handle
• Paint tray
• Primer
• Paint - one gallon for every 350 sq. ft.
• Polyurethane topcoat sealer

Instructions

1. 

   Determine the Design -
   Pattern and color can make a room look larger or smaller, Light and airy colors add the illusion of space to a small room. Deep, rich tones lend itself to coziness in an oversize room. A patterned border adds visual interest and structure to large open areas while an overall pattern can hide a multitude of flaws. Decide what you are trying to achieve and use your imagination!

2. Select the Paint -
   There are varying opinions on which type of paint works best on a wood floor: interior or exterior, oil based or water-based. Decide which to use based on the amount of wear you expect, how long you want the finish to last and amount of time you want to spend on the project.

   Interior vs. Exterior:
   Interior paint will have to be sealed. Exterior paint is formulated to take abuse from the elements thus it will withstand multiple moppings.

   Water-based vs. Oil based Paint:
   Water-based floor paint has a resilient finish and allows the surface to breathe, however it will require a sealer to protect the paint. It is quick drying and clean up is convenient thus working well in damp climates.

   Oil based floor paint provides a hard film surface which is more durable and also covers damaged surfaces well. While drying time is longer and cleanup is more time consuming, floor maintenance is easier.

   Either way, you may want to prime the floor prior to painting and seal afterward for added protection and ease of maintenance.

3. 

   Prep the Surface -
   Surface preparation is the secret to a quality finish. Begin by removing everything in the room and opening the windows for ventilation. Wash the floor to remove all residue, scraping if necessary. Fill any holes, nicks or cracks with wood filler, let dry and sand smooth.

   Sand the floor using an industrial floor sander (if it is a large room), first diagonally with a rough grade of sandpaper then fine grade as you work up and down, following the wood grain. Finish around the edges by hand or with a belt sander.

   Vacuum the room, wipe down the walls and floors with a clean, damp cloth to remove dust. For larger areas, damp mop at least twice. It is important to remove any dust to achieve a smooth finish.

4. 

   Paint the Floor -
   Depending on your design you may need to paint the entire floor with a base coat, then tape out the pattern you have selected. Use a paint roller working in the direction of the grain until you have painted yourself out of the room. After 24 hours, apply a second coat and complete your design.

5. Seal the Finish -
   When paint is thoroughly dry, protect all your hard work with a non-yellowing polyurethane sealer, available in both oil and water based finish. (If you use an oil-base paint, use an oil-base sealer; use water-base paint, use water-base sealer.) Apply three thin coats allowing plenty of time to dry between coats.

6. 

   Maintain for Beauty -
   Painted wood floors tend to improve with age. Although foot traffic will tend to scuff floors over time and wear down the paint, this will give the wood a soft patina and weathered look. If you want your floors to maintain their freshly painted look longer, reapply the topcoat on an annual basis. Daily cleanup should include dust mopping to remove loose dirt with a weekly damp mopping for deeper cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint tends to highlight flaws in wood so extra care must be taken to remove imperfections prior to painting.

• If you tire of the painted floor, you can go back to the original look of hardwood simply by refinishing.

• If painting over a previously painted surface and lead is suspected in the paint, do not attempt to remove. Contact a contractor qualified to assess and remove lead paint.

• Treat any mildew present with a 3:1 water to household bleach mixture. Leave on for 20 minutes. Add more as it dries, then rinse thoroughly. Be sure to wear eye and skin protection.