Do you need new hardwood floors but don't have the money? Have you just added on to your home or built a new one and its time to buy flooring and you are over budget? I have a cheap solution for you that will still look fabulous!
A few years ago my husband built an extension onto our home and did a marvelous job of it considering he had never built so much as a dog house in his life! When we began the interior decorating we realized we did not have any funds left in our budget for new flooring. After thinking it over for awhile I suggested we paint the plywood sub-floor. Well my husband was very skeptical, but agreed, and we worked out a plan to get it done. Here's what you will need if you are planning to paint a plywood sub-floor:
- wood filler
- large electric sander
- vacuum cleaner
- damp mop
- measuring tape
- painter's tape
- smooth paint roller
- porch paint in your chosen colors
- polyurethane
- several days (to allow drying between coats)
- lots of patience
If you are painting wood floors you probably won't need wood filler (unless they are in really bad shape) or the sander. You could also do this to concrete floors using concrete paint.
Here are the steps for painting the wood sub-floor
- First we filled in all holes and rough spots with wood filler.
- Next we sanded and sanded and sanded :-)
- Then we thoroughly cleaned the floor
oldhouseweb.com
- You will not be able to enter the room for several hours so plan ahead. We painted right before bedtime.
- Follow porch paint instructions and paint the entire floor the lighter color starting opposite of your exit point and finishing at exit
- Allow to dry overnight
- If necessary apply second coat
- Dry overnight
- Next using painter's tape measure & tape out your design
- Paint in darker squares (we chose 4" x 4" squares)
- Allow to dry overnight (I told you it would take patience!)
- If necessary apply second coat
- Dry overnight
- Porch paint is very durable but we decided to add a coat of polyurethane for extra protection
- Allow to dry for at least 24 hours or according to polyurethane instructions
That's it! your finished! And most people won't be able to tell that you don't have linoleum! Guest would always compliment us on our floors and were surprised that they were painted. I really wish I had some pictures to share with you but we covered our floors with laminate a couple of years ago and did not take pictures so here is a floor very similar to ours but we painted ours a deep blue and cream with a gold border, it was not distressed, and ours was the sub-floor not wood slats.
houzz.com
A word of warning: A freshly painted floor is very slippery! Be careful! They are also very durable and can last for years. Clean them according to paint directions.
Here are a few more pictures of some beautiful painted floors.
houzz.com
marieburgosdesign.com
As you can see by the pictures above, (I love, love, love the last one don't you?) you may also stencil your floors with a lovely design. Paint your floors the base color and dry overnight. The next day measure and apply your stencil. Dry overnight. Your finished. Gorgeous.
I hope I have inspired and encouraged you to give this project a try.
Hugs,
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