Can you paint vinyl flooring? A beginner’s guide
Are you looking to personalise your home a little more? If so, you may be wondering if it’s possible to paint over your vinyl flooring.
The short answer is yes. It’s entirely possible to give your vinyl floors a fresh new look with a creative paint job. However, it’s important that you start with a floor that is free from damage and structurally sound; otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of work.
This simple and beautiful idea is a great way to liven up your home and change the look of your vinyl floor without spending hundreds or thousands on a whole new floor. If this sounds enticing, stick with us as we give you the rundown!
Painting vinyl floors: what you need to know
When it comes to painting your vinyl floors, you can’t just pick up any old paintbrush and paint and hope for the best.
It’s important to invest in a good-quality primer so that the paint sticks as well as it can and high-quality paint for a clean, professional look. Durable paints such as porch or floor paints are designed to handle heavy foot traffic, so go with one of these!
Although your floor should be in good condition before starting, sheet vinyl floors or tiles over one year old are best to work on as the paint grips better on slightly worn floors. Once you’ve painted the floors, apply a long-lasting sealant on top for extra protection against chipping.
This may not be the best option for you if you’re not prepared to maintain painted floors, as they require frequent touch-ups.
Benefits of Painting Vinyl Flooring
If you’re thinking about painting your vinyl flooring but you’re not quite sure how this can benefit your home, here’s how this simple flooring hack can rejuvenate your space:
- Cost-effective upgrade: Painting vinyl floors is a budget-friendly way to completely change the look of your floors. Who said you had to rip up your old flooring to upgrade your home?
- Quick and easy: Simply painting over your old vinyl flooring is a much more time-efficient way to reinvent your home interior. This is perfect for those who don’t have the time or effort to add new flooring.
- Creative freedom: When you paint your floors, the canvas is yours to use as you wish. Would you like a geometric pattern or multi-coloured floors? The choice is yours!
- Eco-friendly home upgrade: Painting your floors rather than throwing them away is a better choice for the planet. This minimises waste and helps us find new ways to customise our homes to our desires rather than continuously replacing things.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
- Cleaning supplies (floor cleaner, detergents, mop, microfibre cloth)
- Sandpaper or orbital sander
- Primer suitable for vinyl surfaces
- Durable floor paint (porch or floor paint)
- Sealant/topcoat
- Paint rollers and brushes
- Painter’s tape
A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Paint Vinyl Flooring
Now that we’ve established the answer to the question, ‘Can you paint vinyl flooring?’, it’s time to guide you through the process.
Make sure you’ve prepared all of the necessary equipment beforehand! No one wants to scramble at the last minute for the tools they’ve missed in the middle of painting their vinyl floors.
1. Prepare your floor
Remove any furniture that is preventing access to your floor so you have a clear space to work with. It may be best to place any sheets over expensive pieces in case paint splatters everywhere (it happens!)
Then, use a strong detergent and a mop to clean dirt, dust, and grease from your vinyl floors.
2. Sand your floor
Once your floors are all dry, take your fine-grit sandpaper or an orbital sander and lightly polish away the top layer of your vinyl.
This will create a better surface for the primer and paint to adhere to, resulting in a floor that won’t crumble after one day. When you’ve sanded the entire surface, wipe down the floor with a microfibre cloth to get rid of any remaining dust and debris.
3. Add primer to the floor
Now that your floor has been sanded, add painter’s tape along the edge of any skirting boards, doorways, and areas you want to protect from paint residue (this will give you less damage control to worry about afterwards.
Then, using a high-quality primer designed for vinyl floors, get your paint roller or brush and dip it into the primer. Glide the primer across the top of your vinyl floors with the roller and use a small paint brush to reach any pesky edges or corners.
The primer should be left to dry for 2-4 hours (depending on manufacturer guidelines). If necessary, you can add another layer until you’re satisfied with the final product.
4. Paint your vinyl floor
Once you’ve added the necessary amount of primer coats, get your chosen paint and choose the pattern of your choice.
If you’re adding any specific designs, like flowers or motifs, then it may be best to create a guideline with a pencil before painting—no one wants to end up with a wonky pattern!
Apply the first coat of paint evenly with a high-density foam roller, and use a paint brush for any sharp angles and hard-to-reach areas. Make sure you leave all windows and doors open when painting for enough ventilation.
Let the first coat dry for 4-6 hours (or more if necessary) before adding another coat on top. We recommend applying at least one additional coat for maximum durability and coverage.
5. Seal your painted floor
Once the paint has completely dried and you're satisfied with the pattern and pigmentation, it’s time to add a top coat.
A high-quality polyurethane-based sealant is best for painted floors, as this will help to prevent the paint from chipping. Allow the final sealant coat to dry fully (ideally 24 hours) before placing your furniture back or using the floor normally.
Are you ready for a new flooring makeover?
Whether you're inspired to take on the DIY challenge by painting your vinyl floors or you’d prefer a professional touch, Mersey Flooring has got you covered.
We provide an extensive range of stylish, durable, and affordable flooring solutions that perfectly suit any home and lifestyle.
From beautiful laminate flooring to bathroom-friendly waterproof floors, there are plenty of options to browse. Don't wait—your dream floor is just a click away!
FAQs
Can I paint over old vinyl floors?
Yes, old vinyl floors can be painted over. However, you’ll want to give them a little TLC beforehand.
Make sure you clean the floors thoroughly beforehand of any grout, dirt, and dust. Lightly sanding the surface can also help the paint adhere better, so you can enjoy a long-lasting, beautiful finish with minimal effort!
How long does painted vinyl flooring last?
As long as you maintain your floor and clean it regularly, your painted vinyl flooring should last up to five or seven years. However, if your floors experience heavy traffic, expect to repaint them every two to three years.
What colours or patterns work best for painted vinyl floors?
When it comes to painting your floor, the world is your oyster. You can choose any colour or pattern that complements your home interior.
However, we find that neutral colours like beige, whites, and greys are the most versatile. That means if you switch up your decor, your floor will automatically match perfectly with the new look.
Patterns such as geometric designs, checkerboard, and stencilled motifs also work well to add visual interest and mask wear over time
Can painted vinyl flooring handle heavy furniture?
Yes, as long as you use furniture pads and invest in a good-quality primer and sealant for your painted vinyl floors.
This will prevent the paint from becoming damaged and scratched from everyday use.
Is it safe to paint vinyl flooring in bathrooms or kitchens?
Yes, however, you’ll want to choose paints and sealants that are resistant to high moisture levels.
You should expect to have to maintain your painted bathroom and kitchen floors more often than other areas in the home, as they’re more susceptible to peeling, chipping, and mould.