PAINTING SUB-FLOOR HELP

I would like to do my bedroom, but have no idea what the subfloor looks like; is it usually several pieces of plywood? Do anyone know what to do it that is the case? Does it make a difference? Thanks to any and all advisors.
  13 answers
  • Lana Lana on Nov 25, 2013
    I have subfloor in my craft room. I used a floor paint from menards rather than a wall paint. It has held up very well. I edged it and then rolled the rest doing 2 coats. Hope that help
  • Pop Pop on Nov 25, 2013
    Hello: If you have 3/4 plywood, you may need to get it level by laying luann plywood and fill the low areas. If lucky and it's an older home you may find good hardwood. Good luck. Mike
  • Amy Rohde Amy Rohde on Nov 25, 2013
    If you are removing carpet from on top of the subfloor, there will be quite a bit of work to do, prior to painting it. It's probably 4 x 8 pieces of plywood, sometimes it's already primed depending upon the age of your home.
  • Juju, the Anti-Gardener Juju, the Anti-Gardener on Nov 25, 2013
    Yes, now I remember. Gotta take out all of the carpet stripping and nails--aarrghh. Thanks!
  • Juju, the Anti-Gardener Juju, the Anti-Gardener on Nov 25, 2013
    Yes, every little bit helps. Thanks!
  • Terry's Flooring Terry's Flooring on Nov 27, 2013
    There are different types of material that are used for subfloors ( Particle board , gypsum, and plywood ) If you have Particle board, or gypsum , then it's not advised to paint over either..Personally , I would spend about $20.00 a sheet and put down 1/4 inch plywood over top of the floor making sure the joints are as tight as you can get them ..I have an electric stapler that I use and I staple a 1/4 inch from the edges and 3 inches apart , and 8 inches apart through out each sheet ...After you get it all down , then take wood putty and fill in the cracks ( Let dry ) Take a 100 to 120 grit sandpaper and go over what you patched ...Use a shop vac and suck up all the dust..Prime the floor ( let dry ) then you are ready to paint ...Good Luck !!!
  • Juju, the Anti-Gardener Juju, the Anti-Gardener on Nov 27, 2013
    Wow, Thank you--that's the best advice. I don't know if I've got the chops to tackle it though--advanced age and lack of an assistant. However I do have a staple gun which I could not live without. Thanks again!
  • if your house is 30 to 40 + years you probabaly have 1x6 nailed on a diagonal if it is newer its probably plywood. Paint the plywood or nail plwood over the 1x6 and paint on.This is the cheapest thing a cheap skate can do. Either way it will still be ghetto but clean ghetto.
  • Juju, the Anti-Gardener Juju, the Anti-Gardener on Nov 27, 2013
    TY LOL--good advice
  • Tanya Peterson Felsheim Tanya Peterson Felsheim on Nov 28, 2013
    you also might have to deal with adhesive if they glued down the rug cushioning like the goofy people who did mine. Sanding and scraping that just was a mess! Not so bad on parts that were concrete but we probably would have been better just replacing the silly subfloor!
  • At this juncture if you have luan on the floor your choices are carpet ceramic tile or vinyl floor.
  • Kay Poling Kay Poling on Sep 22, 2015
    Been researching this. What worked for me was painting with oil base Kilz, then using oil based stain (or you could use oil based paint) and doing a couple of coats of polyurethane. Came out beautiful!