If a piece of furniture is going to be placed on the floor, it is important that you use paint. There are many types of paint for different surfaces and wood floors require something very specific in order to look their best.
The “how to paint over painted wood floors” is a question that comes up often. There are many different types of paint that can be used on wood floors, but the best type depends on what you want your end result to look like.
Do your wood flooring seem to be worn and dingy? Are you ready to paint them and give your house a new lease of life, but aren’t sure what kind of paint to use?
Latex or acrylic enamel wood paints are the finest kinds of paint to use on wood floors. These paints emit relatively little fumes, are long-lasting, and environmentally benign. Oil-based paints were formerly recommended, but they are now prohibited in many areas owing to their harmful environmental effect.
Below, you’ll learn about the best kinds of paint to use on wood floors, the prep work that should be done before painting, and the painting techniques that should be used to get the best results!
What Are the Best Paints for Wood Floors?
Traditional oil-based enamel wood paint was the go-to option for years when it came to painting wood floors. It’s very tough and can sustain a lot of foot traffic without breaking down. It also resists stains and scratches, which are good qualities for floor coatings.
Oil-based paints, on the other hand, were phased out in the United States in 2005 due to their environmental impact. Oil-based paints emit a lot of fumes into the air and must be cleaned with powerful solvents like turpentine or paint thinner.
Oil-based paints are now only available in quart sizes or as “specialty paint” from most paint firms. If you wish to use oil-based paint, you’ll need to check with your state’s restrictions.
Latex-based enamel wood paint is the safest and more common paint choice nowadays. Paints that are based on latex are the way of the future. They’re safer for the environment, emit less emissions, and can be cleaned up with simply soap and water. In addition, they dry significantly faster than oil-based paints.
People were hesitant to use them in the past since they were thought to be less durable and provide a duller hue than oil-based paints.
Latex-based enamel paints, on the other hand, have improved with time. Many latex-based paints are now highly long-lasting, do not yellow with time, and resist peeling, flaking, and blistering. Many now function just as well as oil-based paints while posing no environmental risk.
Acrylic-based enamel wood paint is another wonderful alternative for your wood flooring. Acrylic paint is comparable to latex paint in appearance. The primary distinction is that acrylic paint is chemically based, while latex paint is water-based. Acrylic paints are also somewhat more durable than latex paints. Acrylic paints are more costly as a result of this.
Enamel wood paints that are latex-based or acrylic-based are excellent choices that can transform your wood floors in no time!
The Best Wood Floor Paint Brands
Porch and Floor Enamel by Sherwin-Williams
Porch and Floor Enamel by Sherwin-Williams is a latex-based paint, so it doesn’t have heavy fumes, and it is very easy to clean up.
Porch and Floor Enamel by Sherwin-Williams is high-quality, yet it is considerably cheaper than other paints of the same caliber. This is a great option if you are on a tight budget.
This paint is extremely resistant to dirt and can withstand a lot of foot activity. It may be stained to a variety of deep hues, giving you a wide range of color possibilities!
INSL-X Tough Shield Acrylic Floor & Patio Coating
INSL-X Floor and Patio Paint is an acrylic-based paint with a high rating that will look great on your wood floor.
This paint is very long-lasting and designed to endure a variety of weather situations. It is also abrasion resistant and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Gray Pearl, Light Gray, and Tile Red are among the three hues available on Amazon.
Over Armor Smooth Wood/Concrete Coating from KILZ
For your wood flooring, Over Armor is a fantastic alternative. It’s a long-lasting acrylic paint that resists cracking and peeling. It’s also simple to clean since all you need is soap and water.
Because this paint dries rapidly, you may apply a second coat without having to wait too long. Kilz Over Armor cures in 72 hours after you’ve finished painting, which is far quicker than most other paints!
It’s available in three colors on Amazon: Chocolate Brown, Slate Gray, and Redwood.
Varnish for Wood Floors is a product that is used to protect wood floors.
For painted wood floors, polyurethane is the finest varnish to use. It will protect and seal your flooring from scuffs and ordinary wear.
It works by forming a barrier over the wood floors, protecting the paint and finish. It’s resistant to water, high humidity, extreme temperatures, and fungus or mildew, making it an excellent varnish for wood floors.
Every 10-12 years, polyurethane must be refinished. Before you apply a fresh layer of varnish, you’ll need to sand your flooring. This might be inconvenient, but it’s well worth it for the increased security!
Preparing Your Wooden Floor for Painting
Before you begin painting, follow the steps below to prepare your floor.
Floor sanding
If you’re painting a floor that already has paint on it, you’ll need to sand it or find another technique to remove the paint.
If you opt to sand it, use abrasive paper with a 60-grit rating. To make your sanding experience more pleasant, don’t forget to acquire knee pads and a dust mask!
Sweep and vacuum the floors after you’re done to remove any dust. You may need to use a slightly moist towel or a tack cloth to remove extremely fine dust.
Prepare the Grounds
Before you paint your wood floor, some experts advocate performing something called spot priming. Spot priming refers to applying primer solely to places where there is no finish. If there is no exposed wood, the primer is unnecessary, and you may proceed to the following step.
If you need to apply primer, Pro Floor Tips recommends sanding the priming after it has dried to prepare it for painting. Sandpaper with a grit of 220 is recommended. Remember, you’re simply attempting to roughen up the primer, not remove it, so don’t be too rough!
Tape using painter’s tape
Make sure to Tape using painter’s tape to protect your moldings and other parts of the room where you don’t want paint. For the best painting experience, check out this ScotchBlue Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape that is available on Amazon. It comes in a variety of different widths and yard lengths, so just pick the one that’s right for you!
The Floor is Being Painted
Trim the Corners
To prevent putting paint on your moldings and walls, use a paintbrush to cut into the room’s margins. Cutting roughly 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) into the wall should enough.
Put the Paint on
Fill a paint tray halfway with paint and roll it out onto the floor. Make careful to begin “painting yourself out” away from the exit to avoid becoming trapped in the room!
Apply a Second Coat
Wait 24-48 hours for the first coating to dry before applying a second coat.
Polyurethane is used to seal the floor.
Polyurethane should be used in high-traffic areas where you anticipate the greatest wear and tear. This will provide an additional layer of protection to your flooring.
Allow time for the paint to cure.
Avoid doing too much to your freshly painted flooring until it has completely dried. Depending on the paint you choose, curing might take up to two weeks. It might take up to 30 days in less than optimum circumstances. For the best results, follow the curing directions on the paint container.
Final Thoughts on the Different Types of Wood Floor Paint
Latex or acrylic enamel wood paint is the best kind of paint for wood flooring. It’s more environmentally friendly, long-lasting, and emits less emissions than typical oil paints. While oil-based paints were formerly the preferred option, they are now prohibited in many places and are harmful to your health. The following are some nice latex and acrylic paint options:
- Porch and Floor Enamel by Sherwin-Williams
- INSL-X Tough Shield Acrylic Floor & Patio Coating
- Over Armor Smooth Wood/Concrete Coating from KILZ
For further protection, put a polyurethane varnish to your flooring once they’ve been painted.
How to Clean Unfinished Wood Floors is a related article.
When it comes to painting your floors, there are many different types of paint out there. The “wood floor paint colors” is a type of paint that you can use on wood floors.
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- best wood floor paint for high traffic areas
- oil-based wood floor paint
- wood floor primer
