As a DIYer, you’re possibly looking for ways to shorten the long process of refurbishing wood flooring. You and I know it can take hours to sand a damaged wood floor, clean the resulting dust, treat and apply wood paint. And that brings us to our question. Can you paint wood floors without sanding? Yes, and here are ways to paint your wood floor without sanding. Also, if you have questions about thickness of your floors, we discuss the Janka scale here.
Is it a Good Idea to Paint Wooden Floors?
Painting wood flooring isn’t a norm in most homes. Most people are used to the normality of sanding, treating the floor with wood stains, and applying decorative finishes. If you resort to painting your aged and faded wood flooring, these are the rewards;
- First, painting gives your aged and scratched wood floor a new look. Painting lets you turn your creativity into reality through creative designs. By using colors and styles similar to the ones used in your interior decor, you’ll uplift your home’s appeal.
- Second, it protects your aged wood flooring. If you’ve refurnished your wood floor multiple times, you’re better off painting it instead of refurbishing it again. Sanding the floor will further thin it down, making it less attractive.
- Third, painting takes a shorter time and costs less. The wood surface doesn’t have to be smooth for the paint to stick. You just need to clean it and ensure it is oil-free. For most DIYers, painting is the shortcut to giving your aged wood an overhaul.
How Much Paint Do I Need to Complete Such a Renovation Project
The quantity of paint you’ll need to complete a wood floor renovation project will depend on several factors:
- Paint thickness: If you choose oil-based paint, you’ll need a thicker paint solution, but you’ll apply fewer coats. If you go for water-based paint, you’ll need a thinner paint solution, but you’ll have to apply more coats.
- Required no of coats: More paint coats will translate to more paint. If you apply three coats, you have to triple the amount you used to apply a single coat.
- The floor size: Your room size will directly affect the amount of floor paint to buy. You need a gallon of wood paint to paint a 350 square feet room. So, remember this when purchasing wood flooring paint.
Some Amazing Tips to Observe
When painting your wood floor, you can be as creative as you want. However, as a DIYer, you only want to try tricks that have been confirmed to work. You wouldn’t wish to spend hours attempting a DIY wood floor painting technique that’s not tried and true. The following are some rewarding wood flooring tips to consider:
- If your wood flooring is dark, you want to paint it with black color. That way, you will keep its natural look while giving it a cleaner look.
- To make your wood-floored rooms look more spacious, go for diamond painting shapes.
- Want to make your room look more stylish? Add patterns and varied designs after the final paint coat.
- Vertical stripes can make your rooms appear larger than they actually are. So, consider adding some to your wood flooring.
- Want to make some room elements the center of attention? Consider painting them with different colors.
Steps to Follow
- Start by cleaning the wood flooring. Sweep the floor and then vacuum clean it to clean any dirt particles. Rub the floor surface clean with water and vinegar solution or any other solution made for cleaning wood flooring. Doing all this is equivalent to sanding. Every dirt and grease content on the floor’s surface will be wiped clean, leaving the floor ready for painting.
- Allow your wooden flooring time to dry. The flooring would have dried out after a couple of hours. Apply masking tape across the wood flooring’s edge to prevent paint stains from splashing onto the wall.
- Get the right wood paint. Ensure you’re using paint made exclusively for wooden flooring. You can buy the wood paint online or from your local DIY store. After you open the paint, stir it thoroughly to mix it well. Transfer the paint to a paint tray to allow for easy spreading of paint over the roller.
- Before you start painting, confirm if the paint’s texture is thin or thick enough for the painting project at hand. If not, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to dilute it accordingly.
- Now paint the wooden floor perimeter, ensuring you don’t cross over the masking tape. You should be extra careful not to splash the walls with stubborn paint stains.
- Get a painting roller with a long handle extension. Dip it into the paint and start painting from the farthest side away from the door. You don’t want to paint the front section and get stuck in the room after you’re done painting. Keep painting the floor, ensuring you firmly roll your roller to get excellent results.
- After you have painted the entire floor, allow it enough time for the paint to dry. Depending on the air and moisture content, the drying can take from 24 hours to 72 hours.
- For a cleaner and more attractive look, you may need to give it a second coating. However, it’s not mandatory. So, if you don’t have the patience to wait for more days, you’re good to go with the first paint layer.
Final Thoughts
Thus far, you have got an answer to your question; can you paint wood floors without sanding? Painting is an art, and you can decide to be as simplistic or sophisticated as you deem right. However, remember to plan ahead of time as that’s the only way to achieve the desired results after painting. If you’re considering adding complicated styles and more coats to your wood floor, you can research the internet for suggestions. Remember that the right paint for wood floors will give you the quality, attractive finish you desire. Therefore, research heavily and only buy paints with good reviews and customer testimonials.