What Are the Pros and Cons of Painting Cement Floors?

An unpainted cement floor often can be made more attractive with a few coats of paint, which is why this is frequently considered a beneficial home upgrade. This is especially true when the space will be used as more than just a place to park a car or store belongings. Not only does this usually make the floor nice to look at, but it also can hide imperfections, such as stains and cracks. Before painting cement floors, though, homeowners usually are advised to consider hiring a professional to do the job, which can add to the expense.

Painting cement floors can be a simple way to improve the look so the floor does not look as plain. This can be especially appealing when the area will be used as a bedroom, office or den that will be used often, rather just a garage or unfinished basement. Applying paint can allow homeowners to customize the surface the way they want it to look. An added bonus is that the improved floor appearance also may appeal to potential home buyers when the house is on the market, because it often is considered an attractive upgrade.

Another benefit of painting cement floors is that the color often can hide imperfections in the surface. For example, it can make current stains harder to see, especially if the paint color is dark. It also may prevent future stains, which can be especially helpful for families who expect to have small children or pets in the area. In the event that a light color is selected from the many paint choices available and a stain does appear on the surface, it often can be cleaned up easier than it would be on a carpeted cement floor. In addition, any cracks in the cement might be able to be covered up with paint, allowing homeowners to skip filling the crack with another material.

While painting cement floors generally is considered beneficial, the main drawback is that it is not typically easy for the average homeowner to do alone. The floor often has to be prepared, which means it should be free of moisture, grease and surface bumps. In some cases the floor needs an acid etch to prevent peeling and chipping paint, and this often needs to be performed by a professional to avoid the health risks that come with the process. Once the paint is applied to the surface, a sealer usually should be added over it, which can make painting cement floors a complicated job that may take days to complete. For this reason, homeowners usually are encouraged to hire a professional to paint their concrete floor, which means this home upgrade tends to cost more than just the price of paint.

A concrete floor doesn’t have to look drab and gray. Homeowners can transform a space such as an unfinished basement or garage by painting the cement floors. While some individuals may choose to hire a professional service, it's possible to complete this project at home with elbow grease and a little patience.

Rigorous cleaning is a must before undertaking any painting project. The first course of action is to remove clutter and furniture from the room before painting begins.

Once the area is free of any mess or obstacles, vacuum and mop the floor thoroughly. Wait for the floor to dry completely before moving forward. Paint will only adhere to a clean surface, so this part of the process may need to be repeated once or twice to ensure the floor is spotless.

A few coats of paint may cover up small imperfections in a cement floor, but concrete filler can take care of much larger, more unsightly cracks. Use a caulking gun to disperse the filler in any gaping cracks and smooth it out with a putty knife. Allow it to dry fully before applying paint.

Before you buy primer and paint, be sure to research which ones are compatible with your cement floors to ensure the longevity of the finished look. Once the prep work is complete and you’ve got the paint and materials in hand, it's time to follow these steps:

In some cases, homeowners may want to remove layers of paint from a cement floor when renovating a space. Luckily, there are methods and materials available to accomplish this task.

Chemical stripping agents can be useful when removing paint from concrete surfaces. Before using paint stripper, you will need to learn which product will be most effective against different types of paint. For example, some products are formulated to remove water-based paint, and others will only work on oil-based paint.

Most formulas have a gel-like consistency that can be applied with a paintbrush or roller. The paint stripper will need time to set, which can take up to 24 hours. Once the paint is broken down, it can be peeled away from the surface using a scraper tool.

When you’re using a paint stripper, protective clothing and respirator masks are highly recommended. Inhaling the chemical fumes from this product can pose a serious threat to your health. Consider hiring a professional who specializes in removing paint from concrete to avoid this risk.

Determining which kind of paint to use on a cement floor depends on how much foot traffic is expected in an area and how much you’re willing to spend. There are two types of paint commonly used: