Looking To Paint Your Floors?
Before you start painting your floors, there are a few things you need to be aware of if you want a lasting paint finish on floors.
20/05/2021
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Today's paints are specifically manufactured for almost every surface in a home. You can use paint on walls, of course, but you can also use paint on a variety of other surfaces - including tiles, wood, cement, brick and steel. When you decide that paint is the best option for whatever it is you want to paint, you will want to make sure that you purchase the right paint.
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SHOULD YOU PAINT FLOORS?
Deciding to paint floors means that you have to weigh in the pros and cons of doing this. I have said before that painting floor tiles should not be considered a permanent solution but a project you undertake to last a certain amount of time. For example, you know the tiles in your bathroom are ugly but can't afford to replace them at the moment. Or you know the laminate floors are scratched but you need a temporary solution for the time being.
Any painted finish only lasts so long, but on a floor where people walk every day, the wear and tear on a paint finish won't last long if you don't take the time to prepare beforehand and don't use the right paint. Having said that, there are paints out there that do provide a longer-lasting solution - even on painted floors - and we are going to take a look at the options below.
Before you jump right in and paint floors, make sure you know it isn't permanent but it will look great for up to a year - and sometimes longer - if done right.
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PREPARATION FOR PAINTING FLOORS
No matter the material you are painting, preparation is important. First, the surface must be cleaned and scrubbed with a de-greaser and then thoroughly rinsed. And after that, sanding the surface with 120-grit sandpaper.
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APPLY PRIMER BEFORE YOU PAINT
What many people aren't away of is that you should always apply a primer when painting floors. A quality high-adhesion primer provides the bond between the tile and paint finish you apply as the topcoat. Not applying a primer beforehand will be the difference between a lasting paint finish and one that will peel off sooner. This applies to any surface you want to paint if you want the paint finish to last.
Range of Primers available at Builders stores countrywide.
After applying a high-adhesion primer you can look at applying urethane, acrylic floor paint, polyurethane or chalk paint finish. It is the primer that provides the adhesion and bonds the paint coat to the floor material.
FLOOR PAINT
When you make the decision to paint floors, both interior or exterior, there are more than a few paint choices out there. But the most important choice you need to make is to be sure to get the right paint for the surface you will be painting. As mentioned above, some paints that can be used for almost any surface and it is so easy to buy the wrong paint for your specific project and end up with a failure on your hands and a mess to clean up.
The best part about painting floors, whether permanently or temporarily, is that it is a quick and affordable way to update ugly floors and achieving a modern look for a home. Doing it yourself allows you to be creative and have a bit of fun.
Do your research on what paints are available and where they can be used.
• Urethane or Polyurethane Paint
If you are looking for a tough, durable finish, then urethane paints would be the right choice. Water-based enamel paints might be fast-drying, but they aren't tough enough to go on floors where you want a lasting paint finish. Urethane paint is a combination of polyurethanes and pigments that provide a finish that is chip-resistant and easy to maintain when proper preparation, application and maintenance is done.
• Enamel Paint (Solvent)
Solvent-based enamel paint is still on the market, but this has mostly been replaced by eco-friendly alternatives that do not contain as many VOCs as solvent-based enamel. Before the introduction of more advanced paints, enamel paint was used on wall and floor tiles, as well as concrete and wood. The problem with using this type of paint on floors is first the VOC content and hence the strong smell and the drying time. Plus the fact that solvent-based enamel paint is not as tough and durable as some of today's modern paint alternatives.
• Epoxy Paint
Epoxy paint started as a paint option for commercial flooring applications. I am sure that many of you are aware of epoxy floors as a DIY product for garage floors. As more and more people started using epoxy paint for all types of floors, it has gained popularity as an extremely tough floor finish that can be applied over concrete, stone and ceramic tiles. The 2-part component puts many off using epoxy paint, but it has been tried and tested over the years and performs well.
• Acrylic Paint
If you are painting any floor you should not consider acrylic paint and water-based enamel, even if you do apply a high-adhesive primer beforehand. These paints have no additives that give them strength and you will be wasting time and money using these paints for a floor.
• Chalk Paint
Chalk paint has become a popular trend for painting floors and, while many have stood up over time, there has no doubt been more than a few fails over the years. Yes, a primer will help with adhesion on a tiled floor but chalk paint was not designed to paint on a floor but will last up to a year if you prep and paint beforehand.
BOTTOM LINE
A bit of research goes a long way before you start painting floors, whatever the material. Go online and see what primers and paints are available locally and make sure they offer durability, are slip-resistant and easy to apply. Check the drying times for paints before you buy as you don't want to have to leave the house while paint dries.