Skill level:
***
Time to complete:
Experienced
Varabie
Handy
Variable
Novice
Varioblo
Materials: 1/4-inch drywall screws, wood glue, wood shims, latox wood filler, 80-grit sandpaper, blue painter’s masking tape, floor paint
Tools: Hummer, nail set, drill, power screwdriver, putty knife, pad sander, dust-esistant mask, vacuum cleaner, sponge mop, 1-inch throwaway brush, 1½zinch polyester sush brush, 5 gallon bucket, I-quart measure, 9 inch roller cover with Winch nap, roller cage with extension handle, paint tray
Owners of colonial-era homes often chose rich shades of paint to decorate their wooden floors, even applying stenciled patterns that looked like rugs. Today, with wear-resistant formulations and a much wider range of colors, paint is an even more appropriate choice.
Paint provides the best solution when you don’t want wall-to-wall carpet (possibly because of allergies) and the existing floor isn’t attractive. Plywood and wood floors that have been patched over time are among the best candidates.
Another option is to consider the floor a blank canvas and create a unique design.
Consider painting a whimsical rug in a child’s room. Or stencil or stamp a stylized border in the dining room or kitchen. Mask straight lines with painter’s tape, then paint between the tape to make a simple border. It’s up to you-have fun.
Whatever you do, move all of the furniture out of the room before starting.
It makes the job easier, and your furniture will be out of harm’s way.
Painted wood floors are a long-standing tradition, very popular in colonial-era homes and now used in any room where a fresh, uncluttered look is desired. Painted floors also look good with borders painted in contrasting colors.
1. Drive protruding nailheads just below the surface using a hammer and a nail set. If the floor squeaks and you can’t get at the subfloor from below, drive longer nails into the joists from the top
2. If the floor squeaks and you can get to the subfloor, drill several pilot holes from below, and fasten the spot with drywall screws from beneath. (Make sure the screws aren’t so long they stick up through the floor.)
3. If squeaks persist mark the exact location while someone walks across the floor, and drive glued wedges between the subfloor and the joist at that point.
4. Fill any cracks more than ⅛-inch wide with latex wood filler. Check the label, making sure the product is formulated to accept paint and will also expand and contract with the wood
5′ the wood is in rough shape, sand it with a floor sander. Otherwise sand lightly with a pad sander using 80- or 100-grit sandpaper (wear a dust mask while sanding).
6. Vacuum, and then damp-mop the floor. Remove any dust with clean water; it keeps paint from adhering. Mask the baseboards with painter’s tape.
7. If new flooring is pine and contains knots, spot prime the knots with white pigmented shellac to keep them from bleeding through the finished coat of paint
8. If the floor is bare wood or a composition wood product, apply sanding sealer before priming.This keeps the grain from rising
9. Use primer recommended by the manufacturer of the finish floor paint. If it requires thinning follow the manufacturer’s directions.
10. Cut the primer around the baseboards, using either a 1½/- or 2-inch angled sash brush
11. Starting in the corner farthest from the door, apply the rest of the primer using a 9-inch roller cover with a ⅜-inch nap. Always roll in the direction of the flooring
12. Don’t paint yourself into a corner; plan ahead so you end at the door leading out of the room.
13. After the primer dries (read the manulacturers instructions), cut in the full-strength finish coat
14. Apply the finish coat of paint in the same manner as the primer. You can even use the same roller cover, as long as it is stored properly (wrapped in airtight plastic) between coats. If possible, don’t walk on the floor for several days, even if it feels dry to the touch.
$ BUYER’S GUIDE
NO WALL PAINT ON FLOORS
Choose paints specifically made for use on floors and porches. Paints formulated for vertical surfaces won’t wear as well on horizontal surfaces, which require a heavy-duty scuff-resistant finish. Floor paints come in a wide range of colors, in semigloss and gloss sheens. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for best results.
Colorful cover-up
Painting a wood floor covers unsightly repair work and conceals unattractive, scuffed varnish. And a colorful, painted floor can be very attractive and is far less expensive than carpeting the room.
WORK SMART
PAINT UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS
Paint at the temperature and humidity recommended by the manufacturer.
• Provide ventilation, with airflow to promote drying If dust or curious visitors may be a problem, just close the door and let the paint take longer to dry.
Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coats and cure fully before use. Even when a painted floor feels dry to the touch, it is usually best to wait several days before putting furniture back in the room.