The Best Ways to Paint Softwood Floors

Floor Preparation

• After clearing all the furniture from a room, sand the softwood floor until it is smooth using progressively finer grit sandpaper. AsktheBuilder.com states that your floor should have a “glass-like surface” when you finish sanding to minimize the surface area of the softwood. Vacuum all the dust from the floor and use a damp rag to assist with the dust removal if necessary. Then apply a clear softwood floor conditioner to the floor, following the manufacturer’s instructions. It generally takes about 15 minutes for the conditioner to dry. This product will help reduce the amount of paint that soaks into the softwood pores and helps achieve a smooth, even finish.

Painting

• According to website Apartment Therapy, the best paint to use on a softwood floor is a polyurethane-based porch and floor enamel. This type of paint is able to withstand foot traffic and more abuse than wall paint. As you paint, open the windows in the room you are in to reduce the amount of fumes you breathe. Use a brush to apply paint to the edges of the floor around the perimeter of the room. Then, use a paint roller to apply a thin coat of paint. Keep the house at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit and allow the paint to dry for a minimum of 24 hours. Apply at least two more coats of paint over the floor, allowing each coat to dry for at least a full day.

Staining

• Staining allows you to enjoy the look of the softwood grain. After sanding and conditioning the softwood floor, use a polyurethane stain or varnish in the color of your choice. In addition to brown and honey-color wood stains, you can purchase a stain in a nontraditional color such as blue or green. Use a paintbrush or rag to apply the stain to floor. After painting a section of the floor, wipe off the excess stain with a rag. Continue applying the stain until you cover the whole floor. Allow the stain to completely dry before applying the next coat. The more coats you apply, the darker the stain will look. When you achieve the color desired, apply two or three coats of a clear, water-based urethane finish, which dries quickly.

Consideration

• Cork is a type of softwood that is an effective flooring option. However, you cannot treat cork floors as you would traditional softwood floors because the grain of the wood is different. You cannot paint or stain cork, but you can purchase it in the colors of your choice. To avoid seeing the seams between the cork tiles and to prevent the corners of the tiles from lifting, it is best to purchase untreated cork tiles. Install the cork flooring in your home and then seal the tiles with the color of your choice.