This is a great option to hide the heaviest stains and scars when replacement is not affordable or possible.
7 thoughts on “White hardwood floors”
We are planning to paint some super old wood floors. If I follow all of the steps that you’ve mentioned in the above comment, is it still necessary to sand the floors prior to painting?
I’m planning to paint my kitchen floor. I have refinished original heart pine floors throughout the house. the kitchen floor had been patched using particle board. I have replaced the kitchen patches with “new” old boards. I had the floor professionally sanded, but there’s still a difference in the 100 yr old floor vs. the newer boards- what’s the best method to paint/whitewash these floors?
Tracie, white washing and painting require two very different techniques. Put simply if you decide to paint use a high quality enamel paint made for floor traffic like Sherwin Williams Porch & Floor Enamel or similar. Also use a semi gloss or high gloss sheen to make for a more resilient finish that is also easier to clean. Prime with an oil based primer first then apply 2 good coats of paint.
For white washing I usually water down a paint at 1:1 ratio. Apply the paint and wipe it off. Then you’ll need to seal the floors with either wax or 3-4 coats of water-based polyurethane.
We are planning to paint some super old wood floors. If I follow all of the steps that you’ve mentioned in the above comment, is it still necessary to sand the floors prior to painting?
Bobi, doing a light sanding before painting always provides a better, longer-lasting paint job, but it is not absolutely necessary.
I’m planning to paint my kitchen floor. I have refinished original heart pine floors throughout the house. the kitchen floor had been patched using particle board. I have replaced the kitchen patches with “new” old boards. I had the floor professionally sanded, but there’s still a difference in the 100 yr old floor vs. the newer boards- what’s the best method to paint/whitewash these floors?
Tracie, white washing and painting require two very different techniques. Put simply if you decide to paint use a high quality enamel paint made for floor traffic like Sherwin Williams Porch & Floor Enamel or similar. Also use a semi gloss or high gloss sheen to make for a more resilient finish that is also easier to clean. Prime with an oil based primer first then apply 2 good coats of paint.
For white washing I usually water down a paint at 1:1 ratio. Apply the paint and wipe it off. Then you’ll need to seal the floors with either wax or 3-4 coats of water-based polyurethane.
What kind of paint do you use for white washing?
And, what kind of wax?
Wendy, for furniture I would use a flat white paint watered down by at least 50-70%. Then finish with Minwax Finishing Paste Wax.