These days, wooden floors are all the rage, and there is a choice of colors, materials, types and prices to suit every situation and budget, from traditional solid wood floors made of the finest oak to modern engineered laminate that is even cheaper than carpet.
However, some people can go through the entire range of wooden floor solutions at a supplier like Discount Flooring Depot, make their choice and then still decide that they need to add their own personal twist. Just take a look at these remarkable effects that designers in Russia have come up with using a solid wood floor and a pot of paint.
This has led to one of the most common questions from those with a flair for the unusual who wish to be unique. Can you paint a laminate floor?
So can you?
The short answer is that you can paint just about anything, as any unattended two-year-old will attest. Whether it is always a good idea is, however, another matter. As with so many DIY projects, it is all about preparation and detail. There are some examples of people who have tried to paint laminate floors and it has gone horribly wrong – this is usually because they fell into one of the following two elephant traps:
- Failing to properly prepare the surface
or
- Not using the right paint or primer
For the avoidance of doubt, painting a laminate floor is fraught with difficulty and danger, and is not for the faint hearted. But if you are determined to give it a try, read on.
via BrittKingery
What do you need?
To paint a 500-square foot area, it will take you a good two days. Here’s what you are likely to need:
- Around 10 litres of primer
- Around 10 litres of floor paint – or possible more, depending on just how creative you plan to get
- Around 10 litres of epoxy
- Brushes and rollers
- An orbital sander
- Sand paper and other incidental items.
Preparation is key
Benjamin Franklin told us that in failing to prepare, we prepare to fail. Evidently, he painted a few floors in his time. You need a spotlessly clean surface to start on, so make sure you scrub and vacuum it several times. The paint is not going to look good on dirt and dog hairs.
via Bright Green Door
Some suggest that you can prime straight onto the surface with nothing but a good clean, but you have a better chance of success if you scuff the wear layer of the floor, to create a key for the primer to adhere to.
What paint to use
One thing that is in no doubt is that you will need a good wood primer. Apply this first, and take your time over it. When you have an even, properly primed floor, you are ready to start on the top coat.
via Pinterest
You will need a good quality paint that is specifically designed for floors. Do not use wall paint, as this will bubble up and not adhere properly.
via One Kings Lane
At this stage, the world is your oyster in terms of colors and design. Good luck!
*this is a collaborative post
