How to paint a wooden floor? How to paint a wooden floor with your own hands The best way to paint a floor.

Question painting the floor should be given Special attention, because this area home is most susceptible to various types of influences. About the choice floor paints various types, wax, floor varnish and other materials, and how to paint the floor correctly and efficiently, we will tell you in this article.

Painting floors - advantages and disadvantages

    Among the advantages of painting the floor are:
  • resistance of the coating to moisture, since most paints applied to the floor are moisture resistant;
  • the paint creates a protective film on the floor that protects it from various types of influences;
  • the coating becomes easy to maintain and can easily withstand any type of cleaning, both dry and wet;
  • application of paint is quick and does not require special physical effort; in addition, after the paint has dried, the floor is ready for further use;
  • This type of finishing is economical and affordable, therefore it is the most popular among alternative options.

    Among the disadvantages of painting floors in the house are:
  • low level of thermal insulation, in winter time walking on a painted floor does not bring comfort, so it requires the installation of rugs;
  • low level of wear resistance, this coating is not capable of being used for a long time and requires periodic updating;
  • low drying speed, most paints dry within two to seven days, during which time walking on the floor is prohibited;
  • appearance The coating is quite simple, so sometimes when arranging a special designer room, painting the floor is not the best option.


Necessary tools for painting

If you decide to paint the floor, then, first of all, we start with the selection necessary tools. High quality painting floor includes: painting different widths, And . When choosing a paint brush, you should opt for the so-called flat brushes of different widths. They are used to process floor edges, baseboards, corners, and other surface areas that are difficult to reach with a roller. Main part painting works It is better to do it with a roller - this will not only speed up the process, but will also allow you to apply the paint in even layers. It is best to use rollers with short naps, as too long naps will result in a rough or uneven floor surface.

Painting tape is used to prevent paint from getting onto surfaces that are not to be painted. Her main feature is that after removing the tape, no traces remain on the sealed area.

To make it more convenient to put paint on the roller, you need a paint tray. As a rule, these containers on one side have a raised bottom that is beveled at a slight angle and has relief surface, which allows you to remove excess paint from the roller.

To achieve a smooth surface wooden covering, it is necessary to remove excess knots on the boards using a chisel. A spatula and putty will be necessary if you need to fill existing cracks.

To protect your eyes you will need.


Initial preparation for painting any type of floor


Features of painting a wooden floor

There are several options for painting the floor, the choice of which will depend on the condition of the floor and the desired final result.
First way. Suitable for floors that have no visible defects, it is the simplest and fastest. At first wooden floor covered with drying oil or primer, after which it is given 2-3 days to dry. Next, the first layer of paint is applied, which dries for several days. When the surface is completely dry, apply a second layer. It may take 4 days to a week for the second layer to dry completely.
Second way. Used for floors that have cracks, gaps between boards or other imperfections. The preparatory stage consists of applying drying oil or primer, which dries well. After this, the floor surface is puttied using a special oil putty, which should be the same tone as the floor. The putty areas dry and are sanded, after which the procedure is repeated. Before painting, problem areas of the floor are primed and painted several times until the putty is visible. Next, two layers of paint are applied alternately, as described in the first method.
Third way. This painting option is characterized by high labor intensity and complexity of the finishing stage of work, which can be performed using two methods. According to the first method, the floor surface is covered with drying oil, dried and puttied several times, with each layer of putty thoroughly sanded down. After this the floor is last time putty, primer is applied and the surface is painted in three layers. The second method is that after the first layer of putty has been cleaned, the next putty-like layer of putty is applied to the surface of the wooden floor, on which tightly stretched gauze is applied and embedded in it. The surface dries, after which putty is applied a third time, it is cleaned, primed and painted in three layers.

After it has been applied last layer The paint must be allowed to dry completely, which usually takes several days. To check whether the floor is dry, you can use a fairly simple method: just press your finger or a piece of paper onto the painted surface; if it does not stick, you can safely walk on the surface.

After completing the work, you need to pay attention not only to whether the paint has dried or not, but also to the quality of the paint. The floor surface should not show through the lower layers of paint, stains, wrinkles, drips, marks from a roller or brush. If such defects are present, another layer must be applied.


Choosing a paint and varnish material for a wooden floor

When choosing a paint and varnish material, the type of wood should be taken into account; operating conditions (this includes humidity levels, temperature regime, is there heating); compatibility with the previous coating (if we are talking about old floors).

All paint coatings, intended for wooden floors, are conventionally divided into transparent (varnishes, oils, waxes) and opaque (paints, enamels).

Varnish is essentially dissolved natural solid resins; nowadays they are also synthetic polymers. Depending on the solvent included in the composition, varnishes are divided into several types: water-based, turpentine, alcohol-based, oil-based, polyurethane, urethanized, polyurethane-acrylate. The varnish penetrates into the pores of the wood no deeper than 2 mm, forming a film on the outside. Therefore, if in the future you want to change the coating, the old varnish can be removed by scraping the floor.


    There are cases when varnishing the floor is unacceptable:
  • the old floor was previously treated with drying oil or other oil compounds;
  • sites on outdoors– terraces, gazebos, verandas;
  • in rooms with high humidity levels.

The most ancient method of covering a wooden floor is treating it with oil. This is an environmentally friendly technique. For these purposes, sunflower, soybean, wood, and linseed oil are used. As well as natural modified resins and synthetic polymers. The oil penetrates deeply into the structure of the wooden floor, providing a preservative effect on the material, which serves as protection for the coating from the effects of pathogenic flora and internal changes. An oil-soaked floor will not swell or dry out. You have the opportunity to choose an oil that will not affect the color of the wood. There are oils that change the color of the floor from whitish to red-yellow, brown and black. When impregnating a wooden floor with natural oil for finishing, it must be opened with wax.

Wax-coated floors have a golden hue and shimmer with a silky light. Linseed oil, beeswax and other additives are used to make wax for covering wooden floors. This coating has high moisture resistance, but is not protected from mechanical stress. Because of this, it is unprofitable to use a wax floor covering in high-traffic areas.

When painting, the floor is covered with opaque paint in order to protect the wood from mechanical stress and, if the quality of the wooden floor is not presentable enough, to preserve its natural structure. The main advantage of painting the floor is that it can be repainted several times if necessary.

When choosing paint, pay attention to environmental factor, the best option there will be a material on a water-dispersion basis that does not contain organic solvents. This type of paint is waterproof, has good adhesion to the surface and is color fast. To paint the floor in the kitchen or bathroom, it is recommended to purchase paint from acrylic base. It is more durable and resistant to moisture. Acrylic paint is also perfect for painting concrete surfaces. The resulting film is characterized by moisture resistance, so acrylic compositions can be used to paint floors in bathrooms, kitchens, toilets, balconies and terraces. The paint is easy to use and dries in 10-14 hours (see information on the can).

The most popular paints for flooring in residential premises are epoxy or alkyd compositions. Epoxy paint needs preliminary preparation, alkyd is immediately ready for use. Before using an epoxy composition, the surface is not primed; before using alkyd compositions, a primer must be applied. Epoxy paint does not change its appearance over time; this paint can be used to cover both indoor floors and the floors of terraces and verandas. It is also suitable for concrete floors. Keep in mind that it will be very difficult to change the color of a floor coated with epoxy paint in the future. To paint parquet, use alkyd enamel.

Painting a wooden floor is done along the horizontal movement of the wood fibers. It is preferable to start work from the perimeter of the room, namely from the baseboard.

If you have to paint the floor in a room with high humidity, then use waterproof acrylic paint for this purpose. Worried about the health safety of paint? In this case, water-dispersion paint is suitable for you. Its advantages are long-term color retention and ease of application to a wooden surface.


    If you have old wood floors in your room, chances are they've already been painted several times. And therefore, it is worth focusing on the following points:
  • existing floor color (painting over a dark shade with a lighter shade may require more than 2 coats of paint);
  • type of previously used;
  • your financial capabilities and the availability of suitable paint in the store.

Alternatively, you can try to completely remove the old paint and scrape the floors. It will become a problem if there are nails hammered into the boards from above and hiding under a layer of old paint. In such cases, it is better to think about completely replacing the old wooden floor with a more durable one. modern covering. But parquet (almost all of it is made of oak), even old ones, is much easier to peel off. All that remains is to then coat the floors in two layers of varnish (with or without tint) over the primer.


Treating wood floors in a garage

A wooden floor in a garage will not be resistant to abrasion and mechanical stress unless it is pre-treated. When painting a wooden floor in a garage, you should choose a coating that would significantly improve the wear resistance of the wood. To obtain a wear-resistant coating for wooden floors, polyurethane varnishes were specially developed. They are 100% polyurethane in an organic solvent without suffocating alkyd additives.


    Types of coatings:
  • glossy varnish for interior work;
  • impregnation for interior work;
  • glossy light-resistant varnish for exterior use;
  • light-resistant impregnation intended for interior/exterior use;
  • impregnation and wear-resistant varnish for light-colored floors for external/internal use.

The penetration depth of impregnations is 3–7 mm. After painting, a transparent or colored film is formed on the floor. After hardening, the finished coating is harmless to the human body. Such varnishes are used in temperate/cold climates. Can withstand temperatures from -50 to +100?C. The paintwork is resistant to water, detergents, acids and aggressive salts in the temperature range -30+60? C.

Polyurethane varnish can be applied in the temperature range -15+40?C. The surface of the garage floor must be dry, otherwise bubbles may form under the coating. The floor should be pre-treated with toners, fire retardants and antiseptics. Only in this case will the coating be durable. Also, before applying polyurethane varnish, the floor should be sanded and dust removed. For a matte finish, use polyurethane impregnation.

After the first layer of impregnation has been applied (approximate varnish consumption is 200 - 300 g/m2), you need to let it dry for 3-4 hours. Then you should remove the raised wooden pile. Use sandpaper for these purposes. Apply the next layer of impregnation at a rate of 150–200 g/m2. The varnish is applied in 1–2 layers, its consumption is 200–300 g/m2.


How to paint a fiberboard floor?

Sometimes, to simplify the work of painting an old floor, it is recommended to first cover it with hardened fiberboard. The sheets can be additionally treated with drying oil on both sides. This will have a beneficial effect when high humidity in room. After this procedure, you can begin painting with a roller. The brush is suitable for a wider format.

If they were laid fiberboard sheets, then only thixotropic ones are suitable for painting floors alkyd paints. You can also use products with additives that speed up the drying process. It is recommended to pre-treat the surface with a primer, then the paint will adhere better. It is better not to buy a primer at water based, otherwise the material will swell even earlier. This will create unwanted ripples on the surface.


Painting a concrete floor: features and technology

The quality of surface preparation directly affects the service life of a painted concrete coating. The first step is to remove dirt, debris, dust, old paint or bitumen from the floor. Take care to delete concrete chips, seal and putty small differences in the surface, if any. With the help of a special grinding machine grind the surface. It is this process that will make the surface smooth and significantly improve the adhesion between the paint and the floor.

Using a vacuum cleaner or a regular mop will help get rid of dust. For dust removal concrete base purchase compositions of polymer origin. They will significantly improve the quality of concrete. To strengthen the concrete surface, use toppings - these are impregnations with a strengthening effect. Products with a hardening effect will increase the strength of the base and protect the floor from dust for 4 years.

To ensure better adhesion between the concrete floor and the paint, use a primer. Among the great variety of this material, select the composition in accordance with the type of paint that will be used to treat the surface.

To apply the primer, use a foam roller, which helps to evenly distribute the primer on the surface. Applying a primer requires a special technology: first you need to mix it; To prevent the floor from being slippery, add ready mixture A little quartz sand; Apply the composition in two or three layers.

After purchasing and choosing paint for the floor, you should determine the type of tool used in the work. This can be a regular brush, roller or spray. The decisive factor in this matter will be the paint that will be applied to the surface. The last option helps best application paints. In addition, it is easy to perform, economical and takes little time to paint.

This is followed by drying the floor, which is carried out under certain conditions. When carrying out this process, the room temperature should be about 19 degrees, and the humidity should be up to 86%. The floor dries within three to eight days, it all depends on the drying conditions and the type of paint. After drying, the coating is ready for further use.


Choosing a paint and varnish material for a concrete floor

Polyurethane enamels are often used to paint concrete floors. Coatings of this kind are resistant to atmospheric influences, are characterized by high environmental friendliness and efficiency, are not afraid of damage, and allow you to obtain a beautiful glossy surface. Polyurethane-based enamel is applied at temperatures from +5 to +35 degrees. It is necessary to pre-mix the components of the composition. This enamel is usually applied in two layers with an interval of at least 24 hours. A significant disadvantage of this coating is that the composition finally dries for about 2 weeks.

Epoxy and alkyd compounds are popular for painting concrete floors. Their qualities are somewhat inferior to polyurethane ones, but they are easier to apply and dry much faster.

The paint is applied to the concrete floor with strokes in various directions and then rubbed over the surface. The layers should not be too dry. It is better to apply 2-3 thin layers than one thick one. A new layer is applied only after the previous one has dried.

After painting, you need to allow time for the floor to dry completely. Even after complete drying, it is recommended not to subject the surfaces to mechanical stress for 3-4 days.

Some may think that painting a wooden floor is a simple matter that does not require special skills and knowledge. It would seem that you bought paint and a brush or roller and you can get to work. It should be noted that this approach is absolutely wrong. In order for wooden flooring had a beautiful appearance, it is necessary to pay due attention to the entire painting process, starting with the selection of tools and paint, ending with checking the quality of the work done.

Necessary tools for painting

First of all, we start by selecting the necessary tools. High-quality floor painting requires the presence of: paint brushes of different widths, rollers, a spatula, a painting tray, a chisel and masking tape.

When choosing a paint brush, you should opt for the so-called “flutes” - flat brushes of different widths. They are used to process floor edges, baseboards, corners, and other surface areas that are difficult to reach with a roller.

It is better to carry out the main part of the painting work with a roller - this will not only speed up the process, but will also allow you to apply the paint in even layers. It is best to use rollers with short naps, as too long naps will result in a rough or uneven floor surface.

Masking tape, or tape, is used to prevent paint from getting onto surfaces that are not to be painted. Its main feature is that after removing the tape, no traces remain on the sealed area.

To make it more convenient to put paint on the roller, you need a paint tray. As a rule, these containers have a raised bottom on one side, beveled at a slight angle, which has a relief surface, which allows you to remove excess paint from the roller.

To achieve a smooth surface of the wooden covering, it is necessary to remove excess knots on the boards using a chisel. A spatula will be necessary if you need to fill existing cracks.

Paint selection

The most important aspect when painting a wooden floor is the choice of paint type. Building materials stores offer a wide range of these products, so it’s important not to go wrong. Floor paint must have a high level of resistance to chemical and mechanical stress and not be susceptible to abrasive wear. When deciding which paint is best to purchase, you need to take into account the following floor features:

  • the type of wood it is made from;
  • conditions in which the surface will remain (air humidity, intensity of mechanical load, antistatic);
  • presence of previous coating (varnish or paint).

It is best to use oil paint, alkyd enamel, alkyd and acrylic impregnation or alkyd varnish for a wooden floor. If the floor is new, then it is best to use acrylic or alkyd impregnation, but for a previously painted surface you need to use oil paint or alkyd enamel. It should be noted that the service life of enamel is about 6 years, while oil paint will last up to 3 years without losing its attractiveness.

You need to buy paint from one batch, so before you go to the store, you need to calculate how many cans you will need for the entire floor. Typically, 200 grams of paint are consumed per square meter of wooden floor, and you also need to take into account how many layers of painting will be done.

Ways to paint a wooden floor

There are several options for painting the floor, the choice of which will depend on the condition of the floor and the desired final result.

First way. Suitable for floors that have no visible defects, it is the simplest and fastest. First, the wooden floor is covered with drying oil or primer, after which it is given 2-3 days to dry. Next, the first layer of paint is applied, which dries for several days. When the surface is completely dry, apply a second layer. It may take 4 days to a week for the second layer to dry completely.

Second way. Used for floors that have cracks, gaps between boards or other imperfections. The preparatory stage consists of applying drying oil or primer, which dries well. After this, the floor surface is putty using a special oil putty, which should be the same tone as the floor. The putty areas dry and are sanded, after which the procedure is repeated. Before painting, problem areas of the floor are primed and painted several times until the putty is visible. Next, two layers of paint are applied alternately, as described in the first method.

Third way. This painting option is characterized by high labor intensity and complexity of the finishing stage of work, which can be performed using two methods.

  1. According to the first method, the floor surface is covered with drying oil, dried and putty several times, with each layer of putty thoroughly sanded down. After this, the floor is puttied for the last time, a primer is applied and the surface is painted in three layers.
  2. The second method is that after the first layer of putty has been cleaned, the next mask-like layer of putty is applied to the surface of the wooden floor, on which tightly stretched gauze is applied and embedded in it. The surface dries, after which the putty is applied a third time, it is cleaned, primed and painted in three layers.

Painting technology

Regardless of the method, painting the floor consists of a certain number of steps, the sequence of which must be followed. First of all, it is necessary to carry out preparatory stage, and only then start painting.

  • If the surface has previously been waxed, it must be removed, as it will interfere with the paint drying. A good remedy will be laundry soda diluted in water (7-8 liters of liquid are needed per glass of soda).
  • Grease stains from the floor can be easily removed with white spirit
  • Use a spatula to scrape off old, peeling paint.
  • If the boards are loose, they must first be nailed down, and the nail heads must be driven in to a depth of 3-4mm.
  • Using a chisel, you need to clean out the knots that are on the surface.
  • Having previously removed the remaining paint, sand and other debris, it is necessary to prime the cracks between the boards and the places where the old paint. It is better to use drying oil.
  • If the cracks are quite wide, then you need to use tow or rope and, after soaking them in a 15% aqueous adhesive solution, fill the holes.
  • To eliminate cracks, you can also use sawdust putty, which is prepared from sifted fine sawdust and oil putty.
  • The putty must be applied with a spatula, moving it perpendicular to the surface. The first layer of putty is used to fill and level the cracks.
  • When the first layer is completely dry, large irregularities are sanded, after which continuous puttying is carried out using a wide spatula. The spatula must be kept parallel to the boards while working.
  • The next step is to sand the surface. After sanding, the surface of the wooden coating is cleaned of dust and primed with drying oil or oxol. The primer must be given 2-3 days to dry completely.
  • Before starting work, the paint must be poured out of the cans and mixed until a mixture of one tone is obtained.
  • The paint must be thoroughly mixed so that there are no lumps or clots.
  • It is necessary to stick on the surface of the wallpaper masking tape– this will help prevent paint from getting on them.
  • You need to start painting from the baseboards, using a small brush.
  • Using a brush, you need to pick up a small amount of paint on it, getting rid of its excess by squeezing the brush against the edges of the tray or jar.
  • Wood floors should be painted in the same direction as the grain of the wood.
  • The paint is applied in thin layers, because thick layers begin to swell over time.
  • The brush should be held at a slight angle relative to the surface, slightly pressing it to the floor.
  • When painting the floor with a roller, you must first wring it out. Using a special paint tray, excess paint can be removed on a textured surface. Movements with the roller must be performed away from you, without lifting off the floor.
  • If the floor has been painted before, one coat of paint may be sufficient.
  • New wood floors require two coats of drying oil or primer and 2-3 coats of paint.
  • The second coat of paint is applied only after the first has completely dried.
  • In order to remove any remaining drying oil or oil on the surface, the floor must be wiped after drying. warm water during the week. You can add vinegar to the water, but you cannot use soap, soda or powder, as they will damage the paint.

Paint check

After the last coat of paint has been applied, the surface must be allowed to dry completely, which usually takes several days. To check whether the floor is dry, you can use a fairly simple method: just press your finger or a piece of paper onto the painted surface; if it does not stick, you can safely walk on the surface.

After completing the work, you need to pay attention not only to whether the paint has dried or not, but also to the quality of the paint. The floor surface should not show through the lower layers of paint, stains, wrinkles, drips, marks from a roller or brush. If such defects are present, another layer must be applied.

What color to paint the floor will depend on the design of the room. But here the main point will be the material of manufacture and the external environment. It is based on these signs that you need to decide what paint to paint the floor with.

Today we will look at this issue and give recommendations on application materials. You can also see the video and photos in this article where there will be a lot of useful and necessary information on this issue.

It is quite possible to apply any coating with your own hands, which makes the price not high. The main thing is to decide what to apply correctly. There are many materials offered on the sales market, but this does not mean that any one can be used.

Before choosing, you need to look at which one and where would be better suited. Below are instructions on the characteristics different types dyes.

Impermeable paints

Typically, impermeable paint is used on wood floors or finishes that are colorless. Various pigments enter into the structure of these, which reveal the natural texture of the wood during application.

You can find the following types of impervious paints on the market:

  • Acrylic
  • Polyurethane
  • Alkyd
  • Perchlorovinyl
  • Oily.

Let's look at the pros and cons (if they exist) of any type of material.

Perchlorovinyl paints

They are used for painting wood surfaces both internally and externally. They have great weather resistance characteristics, a rich color palette with bright colors and are quite inexpensive. However, along with these advantages, there are also disadvantages, due to which perchlorovinyl paints are “retiring.”

It is possible to include among them:

  • Virulence, since an unstable organic solvent enters the structure of the paint, evaporating from the plane of the tree, has a negative effect on human health, and such volatile elements are also quite fire hazardous;
  • Coating cracking I;
  • Significant level of fading.

Oil dyes

Almost 10 years ago, oil paints were used with wild triumph among buyers. However, not because they were excellent, but because there was no other selection. Despite today, some people prefer to purchase oil-based paints and varnishes directly in order to improve the floors in their own buildings and apartments.

  • They have a bright deep tone, a smooth homogeneous texture, significant stability to changes in temperature systems and, most importantly, low cost.
  • The disadvantage is the long drying time; it will take about a day for this paint to dry, which is extremely, extremely sad. In this period of time, no one prefers to wait for a long time. After a few years, you will no longer enjoy a smooth and shiny floor. And you will begin to see a rough and sometimes even cracked plane.
  • If you are thinking about how to paint plywood on the floor, then oil dye is completely suitable. After all, plywood has a limited thickness and oil paint will protect it perfectly.

Polyurethane paints

They are characterized by great signs of wear resistance and stability to external influences, excellent safety qualities and durability, however, along with this, they also have disadvantages (how could they be absent).

  • Polyurethane paints have significant toxicity due to the organic solvents entering their structure.
  • The price of such materials is quite high.

Alkyd paints

They are used to protect wood surfaces from inside and outside rooms. They are characterized by significant resistance to precipitation and various temperature fluctuations and colorful colors. However, the disadvantages of such paints will force you to think 100 times rather than risk purchasing them.

  • During the dyeing period, a very powerful special aroma spreads, it remains even after drying. Of course, don’t think that it will be necessary for you to spend your whole life breathing paint, of course not. For everyone, without exception, during this period it is better to be in another place, so breathing such air is risky for your well-being, and after a few days, maybe even a few weeks, the “smell” will disappear.
  • Organic solvents entering the structure are quite fire hazardous, for this reason the paint catches fire very quickly and easily. Acrylic dispersion paints in past years they have been used in great demand and not in vain!

They have a number of positive aspects:

  • high weather resistance
  • moisture resistance
  • cold resistance
  • burnout resistance
  • large color palette (more than two thousand different colors)
  • reliability (up to ten years of service in the absence of the slightest disputes).

Of course, the only gloomy circumstance upsets good view- the cost of acrylic paints is quite high, of course, and the selection of manufacturers is not so huge. Therefore in Russian Federation Such products are not currently produced. In this case, everything that comes to us “from over the hill” is not always of good quality.

For this reason, when selecting acrylic paints, be careful, drawing your attention to the markings and the state of the manufacturer. For a wooden floor from Spain or Germany, the paint is no worse than the widely advertised Finnish one.

Their structure is almost identical, and their properties are certainly similar. Why pay more when it is possible to purchase exactly the same thing, but at a more attractive price.

Colorless coatings for wooden surfaces

Transparent varnishes and impregnations belong to this type of paint and varnish materials. Let's analyze each type separately.

Colorless dyes also include impregnations:

  • Acrylics differ in their significant absorption into wood. This makes it possible to maintain the flatness of the floor to the maximum. Such impregnations have every chance of having different colors, with the help of which it is possible to form an extraordinary and great design. The composition is applied using an ordinary bunch or roller. Spraying is also provided, since not everyone is able to spend two hours of their required period spreading the impregnation on the floor.
  • Oil impregnations are used to protect, maintain and tint logs. They are perfectly impregnated, which is why the surface of the wood becomes strong, sparkling, and even the most moisture-resistant. For impregnation, oil is made from natural modified resins, usually linseed or wood oils.
  • The area of ​​its use is quite wide: living rooms, guest rooms, kitchens, bathrooms (see), village, swimming pool, in general, almost everywhere, including in places where there is no heating. Just update oil impregnation, if you add specialized products to the water for cleaning floors.
  • Varnishes have the weight of positive aspects. They leave the natural beauty of the wood, protect the floor plane from the harmful influence of external conditions, but they cannot really enjoy a varnished floor, since a thin varnish film is in no way capable of protecting the flooring from chips, impacts, or any loads.
  • Even when the varnish has dried entirely, without exception, it also remains quite flexible, mobile and moves with each defect simultaneously with the wood fibers. In general, there is no need to make sacrifices for the sake of beauty in order to move on a varnished floor only in slippers with soft soles.

Aspects of choosing floor paint

There are several criteria according to which you need to select the color for the floor.

Here they are:

  • Type of flooring(wood (see) or concrete);
  • Floor loads;
  • Wood texture (origin of the log);
  • Where will the painting take place? a: from inside a ventilated or unventilated building, on the street, this involves the continuous accumulation of weather precipitation on the plane, in circumstances of high atmospheric moisture, and so on;
  • Certain colors call for specific circumstances, and this: epoxy paints, for example, should only be done in well-ventilated rooms, in which case latex-acrylic paints are excellent for unventilated rooms;

Attention: For paint and varnish compositions for concrete placement, it is necessary to take into account in which place the repair and construction work will take place: if the room is apartment-type, in this case it is necessary to select a paint that has less toxicity.

In a similar way, by understanding several options, you can provide a detailed representation of the required coloration to the shopping center expert. The expert merchant should simply then advise you on which paint to choose for painting the flooring.

Wood flooring

Wood flooring should be covered paint and varnish composition. This type of material used is considered to have low wear resistance.

Thus, if the wood is left and not covered with anything, it is unlikely that it will last you more than two or three years. After a little time, it can become moldy, rot, begin to swell, dry out and change shape, for this reason it is important to choose a more optimal type of color for the log.

Without exception, all paint and varnish coatings for logs can be divided into 2 types: colorless and impenetrable. Clear coatings are specialized varnishes for parquet, where this type makes it possible to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. However, this topic is for another note.

However, we are interested in covering the flooring with one paint or another, and if we touch on multi-colored ones, in this case, in the period of our grandparents, oil paint from natural products was definitely used. In most situations, paint was made from ocher, and the most common color was blood chestnut (red).

The problem is that this kind of tone, according to the judgment of the manufacturers of paint and varnish coatings of these pores, had the ability to perfectly hide dirt in the floor.

  • Dispersion acrylic paints allow wood flooring to “breathe.”
  • To this day it is still on store shelves. oil paints, sold at affordable price, the staining procedure is quite simple. A strong coating that is formed by applying paint to wood flooring. It is guaranteed to serve you for about five years.
  • Dispersion acrylic paint has several positive aspects over others: a high coefficient of vapor permeability (the ability to “breathe”), no solvents are included in the composition (thus the least type of fire hazard, no toxicity), the greatest adhesion to wood, lightness and practicality of flooring coating, optimal defence from ultraviolet radiation, with proper care, the period of operation reaches up to twenty years.

Attention: If after an indefinite period of time you want to repaint the flooring with a different type of paint and varnish material, then try a water-acrylic solution. This mixture will give the least amount of “reaction” from absolutely any paint and varnish material!

  • Opaque enamels have every chance of being used due to their low cost and simplicity, but in addition to this they perfectly overcome moisture, having a powerful waterproof quality.
  • Enamel paint generally dries faster on wood flooring.
  • The enamel adheres well to the plane of the log, without penetrating into its texture. As a result, the service life of the wood coating increases significantly. Another one of excellence of this type The paint material has a rapid drying period.

Concrete flooring

Let's try to figure out how to choose a color for a flooring made of concrete slabs (see), because this type of surface needs to be painted over according to most circumstances. Do not forget in this case that dust will regularly form in an unpainted concrete surface.

Do not forget, besides this, that concrete slabs are unsecured paint and varnish materials, have every chance of being a factor in injuries (possibly slipping).

Attention: Here you will find the answer to how to paint a self-leveling floor. In the case of concrete, the main factor will be the peeling of the dye. Therefore, before painting, it will be necessary to prime the surface, only then will the coating stick.

  • In general, paint from epoxy resin, which is what is called “epoxy”. Applying an already delicate coating to a concrete coating provides you with an increase in wear resistance many times over (it is generally more correct to apply paint in 2 layers: first, a very thin layer is applied, which must be allowed to dry for about a day, then covered with a second layer of enormous thickness) .
  • Epoxy paint has a waterproof effect and increases the degree of overload. It is most resistant to chemical elements, and also has excellent adhesion to concrete surfaces.
  • Epoxy paints are suitable in open areas for concrete floors.
  • Let's say you need to cover the flooring in an open area, in which case you can directly select this type of paint and varnish material.
  • It is necessary to separately note the innovative concrete paint and varnish coatings, which are presented from European manufacturers. They are able to withstand heavy loads. Such colors are more suitable for industrial areas, but here it should be noted that Europeans paint floors in stadiums, where one of the disadvantages is the high price of the product.

If you are deciding what to paint the floor in the steam room, then there is only one question, nothing is better, because here, in addition to the humid environment, it also affects heat and therefore any dye will not be safe. You can easily find in the article which paint to paint the floor in other materials. The main thing is not the price of the dye, the main thing is that it is safe and durable.

Many people perceive painting a wooden floor as a simple job that is not difficult to complete. This approach cannot be considered correct. You should approach floor painting quite responsibly: choose suitable paint and tools, if necessary, prepare the surface, and also check the quality of the result obtained. How to paint a wooden floor and how to do it?

Preparing tools

To paint a wooden floor you will need standard set tools, including a roller, brushes of different sizes, a painting tray, a spatula, a chisel and masking tape.

It is recommended to carry out most of the work using a roller, as this will significantly speed up the process. The advantage of using a roller is that the paint will be applied evenly, as opposed to using a brush, which can create visible differences between adjacent areas of the floor. To get the best result, experts recommend choosing a roller with short naps, because long naps will make the painted surface rough.

Painting the floor in wooden house is not complete without using several brushes of different sizes. Brushes are used in areas that cannot be painted with a roller. To carry out the work, it is recommended to purchase a set of flute brushes - flat brushes of different widths. They are useful for painting corners, baseboards and edges of wooden floors.

The remaining elements from the list are of an auxiliary nature. A chisel may be needed to remove knots and other irregularities from the floorboards, and a spatula may be needed to fill cracks if necessary. These preparatory works must be carried out before painting the floor to obtain the desired result.

A paint tray is usually purchased complete with a roller and is used to apply paint to the tool. How to quickly paint floors?

With the help of a roller and a paint tray, you can not only quickly pick up paint, but also remove excess paint from the tool. To prevent paint from getting on those surfaces that do not need painting, it is recommended to use masking tape, which can be easily removed after all work and does not leave marks.

How to choose paint?

The choice of paint for a wooden floor is the most important stage of all preparatory work, since the quality and service life of the future coating depends on it. Construction stores now offer a wide range of varnishes and paints for wood, which option should you choose?


The range of colors is huge.

One of the main criteria for choosing floor paint is its resistance to chemical and mechanical stress. The floor is a surface on which furniture is constantly moving and periodically moved. How to paint a wooden floor so that it lasts as long as possible?

If the floor paint is not resistant enough to such influence, then very soon wiped out bald spots will appear on your floor, the floor will lose its attractive appearance and all the work will have to be done again.

The situation is complicated by the impact of small particles of dirt - grains of sand and small stones, as well as chemicals that can accidentally fall on the floor.

Before choosing what to paint the old floor in a wooden house, you should pay attention to three criteria on which your choice will depend. The paint is selected taking into account the type of wood of the floorboards, operating conditions of the coating, which include humidity, intensity of mechanical loads and possible temperature changes, as well as in accordance with the type of previous coating.

When purchasing paint, make sure that all cans belong to the same batch. If the purchased volume is not enough for you, then there is a risk that the additional jar purchased in the store will differ in color.

All paint and varnish coatings used for finishing floors are divided into two types: transparent and opaque. What is the best way to paint a wooden floor? Transparent coatings leave the natural color of the wood, highlighting the structure of the wood and protecting the board from external influence. Opaque coatings include paints that completely cover the floor surface. The difference between the two types of coatings can be easily seen even in the photo.

Transparent floor coverings

To transparent coatings for wooden floors include varnishes, oils and wax mastics. These products are used to finish the floor in cases where the flooring itself has beautiful colour and drawing, and hiding this beauty under a layer of opaque floor paint makes no sense.


Varnish coating.

The varnished floor has a glossy finish, the service life of which is from one to three years. Floor varnishes are presented in several types in construction stores. Primer varnishes are used as a pre-coat before applying the final varnish. This is required in cases where it is necessary to tint the wood, protect valuable wood species, and ensure better adhesion of the finishing coating to the board.

Glazing compounds are designed to protect wood from moisture, the activity of microorganisms and sudden changes in temperature.

Acid-curing varnishes are used to give wood flooring a more natural look by tinting the surface in bright hues, pleasing to the eye.

What is the correct way to paint plank floors? Wooden surfaces can also be treated with waterless polyurethane varnish, which is recommended for areas with high traffic and the likelihood of chemical exposure, water-based varnish, which has a less pungent odor and low flammability, and urethane-alkyd or alkyd varnishes that highlight the texture of the wood. Before you start applying varnish to the floor surface, it is recommended to watch the video instructions for working with this type of coating.


Types of water-soluble polyurethane varnish.

Oils for impregnating plank floors are made from natural oils, to which synthetic elements are added to protect the wood from external influences. The oil penetrates the board, increasing its resistance to external factors and increasing service life. Floor waxes are used as finishing, giving the surface a beautiful shine. These two types of coatings are most often used to care for parquet boards.

Paints for wooden floors

The most common solution to the question of how to paint a wooden floor is to use opaque paint, which completely hides the original color of the surface. Two types of paints are usually used to treat floors: enamel and paints based on organic solvents.
Organic-based paints are acrylic, water-dispersion and latex. Water-dispersion options are most suitable for floor treatment.
Such paints are easy to apply to the surface, protect the floor well from external influences, and are also characterized by good vapor permeability.

The choice of this type of paint is huge; usually the range includes more than two thousand shades.
High-quality paint from a reliable manufacturer will last you about ten years.
Do-it-yourself painting of a wooden floor is often done using enamel paints, which come in oil-based, alkyd, pentaphthalic and nitrocellulose varieties. After drying, the enamel forms a hard film on the surface of the coating that is resistant to water and temperature changes.
If desired, you can choose a floor enamel with a glossy or matte effect. The number of shades of enamel paints is also very diverse, choose suitable option won't be difficult.

Painting features

Floor painting can be done in three ways, each of which is used under certain conditions. In the first case, on wood flooring Drying oil or primer is applied, after drying which first one and then a second layer of paint is applied. This method allows you to get a beautiful surface if the flooring initially had no visible defects.

The second method includes an additional step that involves eliminating floor defects before applying layers of paint. In this case, all cracks and crevices are first puttied and sanded. The third method of painting a wooden floor involves filling the surface and painting in three layers.

Which of these methods you can use to finish the floor in your home depends on the original condition of the floor and how you solved the problem: how to paint a wooden floor - varnish or paint.

Wood flooring is one of the most durable, reliable and aesthetic ways floor finishing. Each owner who wants to extend the service life of the material as long as possible should pay special attention to protection from water, damage, fading and much more. Our expert gives recommendations on how to paint a wooden floor in a house – beautifully and for a long time.

Types of protective compounds

Before choosing any type of product, you need to familiarize yourself with the classification. The most popular today are three coating options suitable for interior decoration.

The paint is a multi-component decorative and protective composition, the base function of which can be performed by:

Synthetic resin(alkyd, acrylic, polyurethane). This type of enamel is the most common in production. Their peculiarity is a dense, cloudy film. The shade of paint may vary.

Mineral oil, the role of which is often played by drying oil, which makes the composition universal in use (metal, concrete, wooden surfaces). In addition, the scope of use is not limited to interior work.

Solvent. This group includes paints based on cellulose ether, nitrocellulose and other resins in acetone. With acetone-containing enamels, or rather their combination with other types of paints and varnishes, you need to be extremely careful, since the reaction of these two compositions to each other can be extremely unpredictable.

For example, when painting a floor previously painted with acetone with an acrylic mixture, the result may not be a glossy effect, but a matte one. The most undesirable consequence is the appearance of spotting, prone to cracking and peeling.

Painting wooden floors is quite simple if you follow the technology. Thanks to enamels, you can get a uniquely smooth and stable floor surface, however, in order for them to perform their functions, it is advisable to prepare the base (clean, sand, harden).

At the same time, the impact resistance of the decorative protective layer depends both on the number of paint layers, as well as on the density values ​​and the degree of thixotropy and correctness of the work. To obtain the thickest layer, it is optimal to use a roller. The thinnest layer can be obtained using a sprayer.

Varnishes are also multi-component. Their main purpose is to create a transparent or matte transparent film. The peculiarity of the varnish is to emphasize the structure of the wood due to a light tinting effect. They include:

  • Film forming agents. Resins of natural or polymeric origin, bitumen, etc. are used as such.
  • Solvents of organic or synthetic nature;
  • Additives that improve performance characteristics(plasticizers, modifiers, hardeners, pigment particles).

Special varnish composition for wood is:

  • Oily. Contains organic solvents, oils plant origin, as well as natural or polymer resins. An oil-rosin product that is universal in use is in demand today. It is distinguished by a yellowish tint, but the layer is absolutely transparent.
  • Solvent based. The main advantage is the strength and durability of the layer. However, everyone knows that working with solvent-based compounds is accompanied by a strong chemical odor, which negatively affects the body.
  • On resin (acrylic, urethane, alkyd, etc.). Resin-based varnishes create a transparent or translucent layer, endowed with extraordinary resistance to various types of abrasion, so they can be used not only for residential premises with low load on the floor, but also for commercial and public ones.

To paint wooden floors with varnish, you also need to carefully prepare the floor and then treat it with a primer. Application is carried out with a roller, brush or other in a convenient way. The varnish requires intermediate sanding.

The basis is natural or synthetic components. Unlike enamels and varnishes, oil and wax are rubbed into the floor surface. The good thing is that the products do not form a vapor-proof film on the base, but are perfectly absorbed into the wood pores, protecting the coating from water and dust.

Oil-wax impregnations also have a significant drawback - rapid abrasion. The layer will have to be updated every 2-3 years.

As it turned out, enamels and varnishes are the most effective, so further comparison will be made between them.

Painting a wooden floor should be done only with compounds that are intended for the existing coating. For example, a parquet floor requires parquet varnish, and for an ordinary plank you need a composition marked “for the floor”.

In addition, preference should be given to highly specialized paints or varnishes, since they are universal (for all wooden surfaces) have enough short term service (no more than 3 years), and floor enamels will last at least 5 years.

When choosing a material, you should pay attention to the degree of shine or glossiness. There are matte, silky-matte, glossy and semi-gloss finishes. IN living rooms the effect of excessive gloss can quickly become boring. However, shiny floors will help to visually increase the height of the ceiling.

What color to paint a wooden floor no less actual question among the owners, because the floor finish should be in harmony with the style of the room. Both varnishes and enamels have a natural color range.

Enamels have a somewhat limited range of shades (8-10 shades), but there is the possibility of tinting in any color out of 7000 possible. Concentrated pigments are produced under such well-known brands as Tikkurila or Dulux.

Varnishes can be both transparent and tinted. You can get acquainted with the shades from the seller by asking for colors from one or another company. It is worth considering that the number of layers and type of wood are of no small importance when obtaining a shade.

For example, painting in 1 layer will help to obtain a light tint, and in 3 layers - the brightest and richest. Larch flooring is more whitish, so to get a deep color you will have to paint the wood in more layers than the naturally darker oak floor.

The question of choice is not closed here. The scope of application plays a decisive role. For external work, under no circumstances should you use products for internal or universal work.

In most cases, compositions for exterior painting are more toxic, and therefore their use indoors is unjustified.

A country house or dacha is a premises for seasonal residence. In such cases, it is optimal to use enamels for exterior use or universal paints, in particular alkyd or nitrocellulose.

But the varnish is quite “capricious” because of its sensitivity to changes in temperature, as a result of which cracks may appear on the base.

For heated premises ( a private house, apartment) it is appropriate to choose any paintwork materials marked “for internal use”. Universal ones will do, as well as oil and wax ones.

In conclusion about application methods. This can be a brush, roller or spray. It is better to apply water-based products with a synthetic, nylon, or polyamide roller. A spray bottle will help speed up the work and will also ensure that a thinner layer is applied.

So, how to paint a wooden floor in a house? Enamels, paints, oils and waxes are suitable for internal use.

Oil-wax coatings cannot guarantee 100% protection of wood flooring from mechanical and impact influences, but at the same time they perfectly protect against moisture and make the floor antistatic.

Varnishes and enamels are more practical and durable. The service life can reach 5-15 years without the need for renewal.