What to Use When Painting on Wood Flooring

Pole Sander

• Before applying any paint, you must prepare the floor so the surface is smooth and ready to accept paint. Sanding the floor removes any rough patches and residue that might prevent the paint from sticking to the wood. You can use sheets of sandpaper, but in a large room, you probably do not want to spend that much time on your hand and knees. Instead, opt for a pole sander, which allows you to stand and cover larger areas of the floor more quickly. For a coarse wood floor, choose sandpaper with a medium-grit for your pole sander. If your wood floor has a glossy finish, opt for a fine-grit sandpaper instead.

Rollers and Brushes

• When it comes to applying paint to a wood floor, a roller is usually the easiest tool to use. As with a pole sander, the roller allows you to apply cover larger areas more quickly than you would with a brush. However, in corners of the room, along molding and around doorways, you may need to touch up with a brush. Have several small brushes on hand, so you choose the one that best fits the area that you need to cover.

Primer

• Before applying your chosen paint color, it is important to prime your wood floor. Primer is a paint that is specifically designed to seal any damaged areas in a surface so colored paint does not pool or saturate the spot and create an uneven finish. It also provides a basecoat so the paint adheres to the floor better. Use your paint roller to apply the primer across the entire floor. Allow the primer coat to dry thoroughly before applying your colored paint.

Porch and Floor Paint

• When choosing paint for your wood floor, your best option is a porch and floor formula. Unlike walls, your floor receives heavy wear and tear because you walk on it every day. The paint must be durable enough to hold up to that kind of treatment without chipping, peeling, cracking or fading. Porch and floor paint is available in a wide range of colors, so you can find the ideal shade to match the rest of the room's décor. It usually comes in both latex and oil-based varieties. Both work well, though the oil-based paint tends to dry to a harder finish and may be a better option for heavily trafficked areas such as an entryway, hallway or kitchen.

Polyurethane Sealer

• To ensure that your wood floor's painted finish lasts, finish up by applying a top coat. A water-based polyurethane is an ideal sealer for a painted wood floor because it creates a durable coating that is moisture resistant and easy to clean. It also dries to an attractive glossy finish that will catch the light and draw attention to your painted floors.