Your guide to painting laminate flooring
If your laminate floors just aren’t cutting it for you anymore, it’s entirely possible to paint over them for a new or refreshed appearance.
However, painting laminate floors isn’t as simple as adding paint to a wall, so be prepared for some hard work! Luckily for you, you don’t have to figure it out alone; we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about painting laminate floors.
What better way to save money than painting your old floors instead of ripping them up and replacing them?
If your floors are long past saving, we have a beautiful range of high-quality floors at Mersey Flooring, ranging from stunning laminate to traditional herringbone. All at great prices!
Can you paint laminate flooring?
It’s entirely possible to paint laminate floors. Plenty of DIYers have already done it, and many tradespeople agree that it can be done with the right prep and a suitable paint.
However, the paint won’t last forever, and if the room has a lot of high traffic, it would probably save you a lot of time and fuss to just rip up the floors and lay down some new ones.
Since laminate boards have a plastic wear layer on top instead of timber, the paint will struggle to grip unless you prime and sand them beforehand. Scratches and chips will also show up quicker, as paint is easier to peel.
All of this to say, you can paint your laminate floors if you want to, but just know it’s not a reliable long-term solution. If you prefer chalky, distressed, or “shabby chic” finishes and don’t mind the occasional scuff, then it’s the perfect DIY project for you.
What are the benefits of painting laminate floors?
You can do your best to look after your laminate flooring, and although it is highly durable, it’s bound to gain a few scratches and scuffs over time. It’s just part and parcel of a well-lived-in home.
If you’re someone who has outgrown the colour of their laminate floors or they look a little worse for wear, a simple paint job can revive them until you save up to replace them. So, what are the benefits of painting your floors?
- It’s cheaper than a full replacement.
- You don’t have to lift skirting boards, trim doors, or deal with underlay.
- With paint, you’re not limited to the usual oak/grey options.
- It’s a good option for low-traffic or ‘spare’ rooms.
Can you stain laminate flooring instead of painting it?
As traditional wood stains are designed to seep into porous wood, they don't perform well on typical laminate floors.
Due to the non-porous, plastic-based surface of laminate, stains often remain on top, wipe off easily, or dry unevenly, resulting in a messy and impermanent look.
A step-by-step guide to painting laminate flooring
So, if you’ve decided that painting your floors is your best bet, we’ve put together a quick and easy guide to help you achieve the best results.
What you’ll need
- Sand paper or orbital sander
- Laminate safe floor paint
- High-adhesion primer suitable for laminate/non-porous surfaces
- Clear floor sealer/topcoat
- A roller brush
- Angled/cutting-in brushes
- Laminate repair kit or wood filler
- Heavy-duty floor cleaner or sugar soap
- Painter’s/decorators’ tape
Step 1: Empty the room and vacuum
Before you do anything, remove any furniture from the room that is in the way or nearby decor that you don’t want to get paint on.
Once that’s out of the way, give your floor a good dusting and vacuum to remove any dust, dirt, and debris. That way, you won’t end up with any more scratches. It may be a good idea to place dust sheets over any furniture that you can’t move out of the way.
Step 2: Deep clean the floors
Before you begin sanding, give the floor a good scrub with sugar soap or a strong degreasing cleaner, paying extra attention near doors, radiators, sinks, and cooking areas where oils and spills build up.
You should aim to get rid of any stains or spills and built-up grime. Doing so will help you identify any scuffs and dents that need repairing.
Step 3: Repair chips, gaps and damaged areas
Painting won’t hide any noticeable imperfections, like chips and dents, so you’ll need to repair these yourself.
You can do so by buying a laminate repair kit or floor filler to fill in any chips and dents. Apply the filler, then push it into the gap and smooth it over with a scraper or filling knife until it's level.
If there are small gaps between the boards, you can sometimes disguise them with filler in a matching shade. However, if boards are moving a lot underfoot, replacement is usually a better option.
Step 4: Sand your floors
Laminate has a shiny, plastic top layer that can make your floors appear glossy. You’ll need to remove this before painting, as it’ll help the paint adhere better.
If you want to get the job done quicker, use an orbital sander. Or, you can just stick with trusty old sheets of medium-grit sandpaper (just know it’ll take longer). When sanding, work in the same direction as the grain of the boards to avoid visible swirl marks.
When you’re finished, hoover the dust up and wipe the whole floor with a slightly damp microfibre cloth to pick up what’s left.
Step 5: Prep and prime
You’ll want to add painter’s tape around the perimeter of the room to avoid ending up with paint splatters anywhere they shouldn’t be, like on the walls or surrounding furniture.
Decide which corner you’ll finish in so you can walk out of the room without stepping on wet primer or paint. It sounds obvious, but it’s very easy to trap yourself in the middle of a freshly painted room!
Once that’s done, give your primer a good stir (don’t shake) and apply it to the freshly sanded floors with a short-pile roller. You can use small, angled brushes to paint around corners or obstacles, such as radiators and doors.
Two thin coats of primer give a better base than one heavy coat.
Step 6: Paint the floors
Once you’ve allowed the primer to dry for the amount of time stated on the tin, give your paint can a good stir with your brush.
It’s best to start from one side and work your way over to the other, and use a thin paint brush to go around the skirting and any awkward spots. Use a roller to cover the main floor, working along the boards, not across them.
Aim to keep each stroke light so it doesn’t become too thick and more likely to peel. Let each coat dry fully before you add a new one. Aim for:
- At least 2 coats for darker shades
- Often 3 or more for whites and very pale colours
Step 7: Add sealant for extra protection
Once the paint has dried, you really want to set it in place so it lasts longer.
Investing in a high-quality laminate-friendly paint sealant will help protect your floors from premature scratches and peeling, allowing you to enjoy a smooth, chip-free finish for longer.
Apply a clear floor sealer with a clean roller, again working in thin, even coats. Give it a few hours to let the floor dry properly before adding any furniture back to the room.
Alternatives to painting laminate flooring
If painting your laminate floors doesn’t seem like the job for you after all, there are a few other quick fixes to help freshen up your floors before you upgrade.
These include:
- Deep clean and repair: A good scrub, a dedicated laminate cleaner, and a repair kit for chips and scratches can make a surprising difference.
- Rugs and runners: Sometimes, covering marks and scuffs with a good rug or runner is all that's needed. Plus, it’ll make the room feel cosier.
- Replace damaged boards only: If the damage is contained to only a few boards and you have spare packs, swapping out these boards only can make your floor look brand new.
- Fit a new floor: When the laminate is truly at the end of its life, a new floor is often less hassle and better value than repeated painting and touch-ups
Why choose Mersey Flooring for laminate flooring replacements?
Are you ready to commit to a whole new floor?
If you’ve hung onto your old laminate for as long as possible, then you’ve already done all you can for it. Reward yourself and your home with some beautiful brand-new laminate floors.
At Mersey Flooring, we offer laminate floors in classic oak, featuring colours such as Space Grey, Deep Brown, and Sand, as well as a range of unique herringbone options. Plus, they’re all water-resistant!
We’re here to help you start again with something you genuinely enjoy living with.
FAQ’s
How long does a painted laminate floor last?
Painted laminate floors could last from 6 months to a year or more, but there’s no set answer to this since it really comes down to how well you prep it, what type of paint you use, and how well you take care of your floors.
However, you’ll find that lighter paints will show dirt, scratches, and scuff marks quicker than darker floors.
Will painting my laminate flooring void the warranty?
Most likely, yes.
The manufacturer is unlikely to uphold any remaining warranty because the original finish is irreversibly changed once the boards are sanded, primed, and painted.
We suggest thoroughly reviewing any documentation before beginning if your floor is still covered under warranty.
Is painting laminate flooring a good idea in a rental?
If you’re the tenant, you’ll need written permission from your landlord before changing any aspect of your floors. Not doing so could land you with a hefty fine or legal issues.
If you’re the landlord, think carefully about upkeep; in busy student or family lets, a hard-wearing laminate or LVT is usually a safer, lower-maintenance choice than painted boards.