Whether your floors are in poor condition or simply don’t coordinate with the rest of your decor, painting them is an inexpensive and simple solution. This method is also more affordable than refinishing and adds a unique look that bare wood can’t replicate. When you use a Home Depot Money Off Coupon from We Are Coupons painting your wooden floor costs less.
Painting your wooden floors is a relatively easy process but it can be prone to errors if not done correctly. This guide will teach you how to avoid these mistakes and get the best results.
Preparation
A fresh coat of paint on wooden floorboards can give a room a lift and transform the space. However, it’s important to prepare properly for the job – or your floors could become the victim of smudges and other issues that can plague painted surfaces.
Start by removing furniture and rugs from the area you’re going to be working on. If the wood flooring has a previous finish coating on it (varnish, etc) you’ll need to sand it first to dull it down before painting. You can do this by hand or with a power sander and sanding sponge. Make sure you wear a mask to avoid breathing in the dust.
Once the floor has been sanded and cleaned, it’s time to get to work. It’s best to apply a couple of thin coats of primer instead of one thicker one – it gives the paint something to stick to and makes it less likely that you’ll experience chipping later on. If there are any cracks or dents, fill them in now with wood filler and let it dry.
Now it’s time to paint – again, using a product specially formulated for wood floors is preferable. Once the floor has been painted, leave it to dry as instructed – this usually takes a few hours. It’s also a good idea to apply some polyurethane over the top of your paint to give it some extra protection and longevity.
Once the floor has dried, you can begin to return your furniture. Remember to keep it a little further away than normal, as the paint is still wet and it’s easy to drag things across it. Rugs can be a good idea to extend the life of your new floors too, and help to prevent scratches from people dragging their shoes across them. Keeping your wood floors swept and free from debris will also extend their life – especially if you have a darker color that shows dust. And of course, regular vacuuming will help too. How long your painted wood floors last will depend on how well they are cared for, but a rough estimate is around two years.
