What are Some Tips for Painting Cement Floors?

Cement or concrete floors are often covered with carpeting in homes. If it's difficult to keep carpeting clean or you're looking for a less expensive option to buying new carpeting, a cement floor can look great if you paint it. Painting cement floors should only be done after cleaning, planning and making sure you have all of the needed materials.

Paints made just for cement floors are available, but color choice is often very limited to colors such as gray and brown. On the plus side, those may be the only colors you'll need if you want to create a faux stone cement floor. Alternatively, you can use latex paints and these will give you many colors to use. Be sure to use only good quality latex paint.

If you find that the concrete is damp, never paint the floor as the source of the moisture problem must be addressed first. If the floor is dry, prepare it for painting by scrubbing it thoroughly with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution or something recommended by your local do-it-yourself building store. If it's an outdoor garage floor, use cat litter to absorb grease first and then scrub. The paint won't adhere to coated or greasy surfaces.

The floor should be allowed to dry for several days after scrubbing to ensure that it's perfectly dry. The next thing to do before actually painting cement floors is to use sandpaper to file off any lumps or bumps on the floors. Finally, vacuum the floor and go over it with a tack cloth, which is a sticky cloth you can find at a home improvement store.

Be sure to apply at least two coats of good quality latex paint when painting cement floors. Once you finally get these base coats down, you can use your creativity and imagination to decorate your floor. Think ahead about what you'll be painting on the floor and make sure you have all the necessary materials. If you want faux stone you can do marble, cobble stone or slate. You can also stencil designs onto your floor such as a border near the wall that goes around the room. After painting, a polyurethane coating should be added for protection and maximum durability.