I want to paint my ugly tile floor.
by
Julie M
+20
It is a ceramic tile that has a "brick" look to it. Ripping it up is just not in the budget right now, so I'm wondering if I could paint it to give it a "whitewashed" look. See my photos below to see what I'm dealing with and what I'm trying to get to.
This is my current floor that I'm dealing with.
I'd lilke to make it look like this brick wall. A whitewashed look.
23 answers
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floors vs walls are a BIG difference. paining a floor (especially a tile floor) is cheap but the durability is just not there. You may have some better luck installing a floating vinyl product... Traffic master allure from Home depot is a free floating vinyl product that runs about $2 a sq foot...this could be a fix until the budget allows a proper fix.
KMS Woodworks
on Oct 23, 2011
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This is what originally gave me the idea of painting a tile floor: http://www.curbly.com/modhomeecteacher/posts/6956-yes-you-can-paint-a-ceramic-tile-floor
Julie M
on Oct 23, 2011
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Julie, almost anything can be painted, including your project, as long as you don't expect any paint to hold up like baked ceramic tile. Some things in that link you posted, don't make sense. First, they say they used ordinary primer with ordinary trim paint. Even specialty products (readily available at Sher-Will for the asking) made for this application, are only just suitable for the wear and tear. Also, they say that polyurethane was put on top of paint; this does not meet sound painting proceedures and it would turn the floor very noticably yellow. If you want to paint, abrade the floor with a grinding wheel, clean thoroughly, prime and paint with a latex epoxy. You can try to give it a faux finish with two different colors, but just be glad if you can get it to stick. It's a lot trickier than that link, but it can be done. Best, Charles
Peace Painting Co., Inc.
on Oct 23, 2011
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I'm with Peace....epoxy of some sort if the only thing that will stick to the floor. There are probably some specialty products and contractors out there who can create the look you are after. I'm not sure a "white-washed" look on the floor is going to last very long...however it is done. You could try some sort of epoxy for the short term and live with the results until you have the funds to redo the floor. Peace also raises another good point...be very careful with what you "see" or think you see on the internet...there's all kinds of misinformation out here...particularly on manufacturer and contractor websites. Best of luck!
HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC
on Oct 23, 2011
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It's really not that ugly. I would make a stencil out of a big sheet of mylar. Cut the stencil the exact size of the brick, maybe cut 2 together, and then sponge on the paint. That way you won't get paint in the grout. Then seal it like crazy.
Karen G
on Oct 24, 2011
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Nice tip Karen...give it a shot Julie!
HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC
on Oct 24, 2011
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Thanks for all the tips. I've been rolling this idea around in my head for a LONG time to just be a temporary fix until I can rip it out and install hardwood. Not sure if it is worth the time that is going to be invested in it, also between kids, dogs and foot traffic I'm just not sure it will hold up!
Julie M
on Oct 24, 2011
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Julie, why not paint the edges & put a nice durable, attractive rug down? Until you renovate.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Oct 24, 2011
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It is in my kitchen, my breakfast area, my hall, my bathroom and entry way. Like HALF of my entire downstairs is this awful tile. It's HORRIBLE to keep clean on top of how bad it looks! It reminds me of fast food restaurant tile!
Julie M
on Oct 24, 2011
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If that tile is attached right to a slab foundation, I'm not sure that you have to rip it out to install wood floors-they could go right over it. If you go laminate, I'm sure it can be laid on top with a membrane between. Gotta ask the flooring experts.
Karen G
on Oct 24, 2011
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Tough call. Sounded crazy but I like Karen's stencil idea, too; and it would be alot less complicated than painting. Yes, it could be clear coated. CP
Peace Painting Co., Inc.
on Oct 24, 2011
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Laminate is an option...but its just covering up one problem area with a cheap worse alternative. It this tile is set on slab then a future install of some better tile would be the best...hardwood ( real that is) installed on slab is less than ideal.
KMS Woodworks
on Oct 25, 2011
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I wasn't sure if you could go on top of the tile. It's about 3/4 of an inch thick all ready, and it's "level" with my carpet. IF I could even go over it with a floating floor or laminate, my concern is that it would be too thick. I want hardwood, I'm wondering if I could do a floating vinyl. May be better since kitchen is a "wet" area anyway.
Julie M
on Oct 26, 2011
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I did a floating vinyl floor on Tuesday for a small hair saloon. This was installed over the relatively smooth ply sub floor. Installing it over tile with all of the "grout valleys" may pose some problems. When I do tile next to hardwood...I like to use 1/4" backer this puts the tile at the same height as normal 3/4" thick wood flooring. The "grout" line between the tile and wood is done in matching caulk. In this project http://www.hometalk.com/Kevin/project/1460 I installed a couple of tile entries....that matched the rooms pre- existing bamboo flooring in height.
KMS Woodworks
on Oct 27, 2011
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can't u apply stain like substance and just change the color like black and white in one room and then maybe carper another area. Or whimsical yellow brick road another? Loved that movie.
Karen McNulty
on Mar 21, 2013
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impressed with the feedback. with no put downs and smart remarks. I think we need to act like this when talking about other more important things. I also know how what we live with day to day can drive us mad but to others its not a big deal. women especially like change and flow. its the boredom and lack of effective socializing. like in schools churches and govts. so, until , we all can comprehend and implement stuff like santos bonnaci talks about on youtube, and realize the absolute science of our basic core, it will all be following and trying to fit in unreality while major injustice and suffering continues. Seriously, we need to persuade men as if from a fire, that means, discuss and reason and get to the most common denominator , deduce the absolute truth, and its always changing and we need to apply ourselves daily.
Sue Gentry
on Mar 04, 2014
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@jacarder@hotmail.com I painted my floor with oil based paint and stenciled stars and ivy on it an it is beautiful. I used polyurethane on top to waterproof it and the amazing thing is whenever I use a little ammonia on a damp sponge, it shines like new
Janie Lou
on Jul 02, 2014
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I like Janie Lou's idea. I was about to say to Julie, why not just paint it a brick color you like, then whitewash the whole thing??!!
Patricia Miller
on Aug 10, 2014
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Can you tile over ceramic tile?
Googlegrandma
on Sep 12, 2014
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You stated you have children and dogs I believe; sounds like little time and lots of tile. Your tile is not unattractive at all. A few rugs perhaps for distraction until/if you change it might be considered. Mind over matter sometimes is the key.
Lorine Fernandes
on Oct 23, 2014
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Julie, I'm with you. It's kind of a little unattractive, so what have you really got to lose. If I were you, and as brave as you, what about getting 2 or 3 colours that you like, and maybe, remember the sponge painting years, maybe just mottle on one colour in splotches . You could use a sponge but rub more than dab, let dry, do another colour, then the third. Maybe 2 would be enough, up to you. If you put on too much, rub it off and just keep working till you love it. Then, and this is important, talk to a pro at the paint store for what kind of protective sealer you should use, being a bathroom floor and wet kids running around.:) if you are nervous, try it on a piece of wood or cardboard first. That's my idea.
Lori
on Oct 26, 2014
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If suggestions are still being accepted all the above answers are good. Do you have any leftover flooring to do a test or try colors? To do this properly prep work is key. A deep cleaning, good adhering primer, quality paint and top coat. This can add up in $ and lots of time and labor. Personally I would save this money toward a floating floor and use the area rugs. The outdoor type rugs are less formal. The vinyl and laminate flooring has come a long way. There are choices resembling wood, concrete and tile. Probably a one to two day install. I have seen many posts on Hometalk for painting floors. Go with your instincts. Best to you.
Kathy T.
on Nov 14, 2014
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Julie, I like inexpensive solutions that look amazing. I would pick the smallest contained area to experiment with. Like a bathroom or closet floor. If you like the photo, get small containers of the colors in that brick that you don't have in your tile. Sponge it or blot it on in balanced but somewhat random fashion so that the whole room/area looks good, leaving as much of your basic tile color as possible (cheap ole me). then apply the whitewash finish and if you like it, seal it with the polyurethane. I have had my best and least expensive results going to a professional paint store where they know what kind of paint I need for whatever I am doing. there is usually a creative do-it-yourselfer there who can help me and answer my questions. I, too, have a very large area that needs attention (4 car garage) and these ideas have been very helpful to me!
Ellen
on Nov 15, 2014
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