Can I paint a laminate floor?

[Folicky]

Hi I bought some cheapo laminate for the floor of the study in my new, new build home. I thought I wouldn't mind what it looked like and went for the cheapest on the shop had (mainly a tile shop since you ask). Now I don't like it and don't want to live with it.

If I lift it then I have to buy new stuff which I can't really afford and the skirting boards need lifted too.

Can I just paint it?.....I had actually dreamt of white wood floors but that was not to be. Obvs I've googled it and the search results say I have to sand it first but I don't think it would survive even a light sanding.

Plenty of people on here seem to have painted their laminate kitchen cabinets.....but has anyone actually ever painted a laminate floor?

Any advice would be appreciated.

I don’t know for sure but I can’t see how you would be able to do it without sanding first.

No,
Well actually you can, but it will be a mess within weeks

I've helped a friend paint laminate flooring; but it did need sanding quite a bit first, and it didn't look great.

Without sanding, I don't think you've got any chance really.

It will need sanded and primed, and even then might look a mess. Sorry!

Chalk paint would probably stick on it (look on youtube in case someone's done it before) but I'd definitely want to lacquer it. And even then it might not last too long.

Facebook selling sites often have cheap rugs

I wouldn't. It won't look great. And by the time you have paid for sandpaper, primer, paint, brushes, roller and varnish you will be half way there to affording new laminate.

As an alternative vinyl can be cheap and you could get one that looks like white painted floor. You could lay it over the laminate. Have a look in B&Q.

Or a big ikea rug?

I wouldn't do this, it will scratch and look awful very quickly indeed.

It will look a mess painted, put a rug over it.

We used these in our kitchen. I'm really pleased with them, dirt cheap and easy peasy to fit, you just stick them on top of an existing level surface.

www.diy.com/departments/flooring-tiling/flooring-underlay/vinyl-flooring/self-adhesive-vinyl-planks/DIY566440.cat

We used the pecan oak.

Hi I’m a painter/decorator. I’ve never painted a laminate floor before but as for sanding it first it’s a definite NO NO. If you there is a paint you can buy where you don’t need to sand first it’s called Zinsser 123 l would make sure your floor is clean and dry then put 2 coats of Zinsser123 followed by 2 coats of Johnsone’s floor paint then give your floor a good 48 hours to set properly before walking on it. And I cannot see why that shouldn’t work. But what have you got to lose the price of the paint around £50 if you don’t like it anyway give it a go. I hope this helps. Please let me know how it turns out.

The zinsser bin primer is about £28 for a small ( 2.5l ) tin. I used it on some coving a year ago and the paint is already flaking off in patches. And obviously no one is even touching the ceiling. So no way will it stand up to the wear and tear on a floor. IMO.

You will be a lot in materials as well as the hassle of not being able to use your kitchen for several days while the floor dries.

Personally I’d lay sheet or stick on vinyl on top like PP suggested.

Hi it’s me again. As I said I’m a painter /decorator been doing it since 1972. I’ve been using Zinsser paint inside and outside for over 10 years now never had a problem with any of them. Make sure surface is greece and dust free. Give the paint a good stir and start painting. 2 1/2 liter tin should paint an average sized floor. Also a pack of self adhesive vinyl flooring only covers about 1 square meter where as laminate flooring normally covers 2 square meters so price wise it normally works out more expensive for the vinyl.

I found the vinyl planks a very economical solution because I did it myself so no labour cost. Couldn't believe how easy it was. I wouldn't have been confident to lay laminate so any money saved would have gone in paying someone to do it for me.

Depends on whether the OP is after ease or economy. Paint would be cheaper but more faff.

Guys, thank you so much.

I think I'm going to go for the vinyl planks.

Myimaginarycathasfleas - does it look good as well as being easy to install?

Cheers a lot.

I'm really delighted with mine. We have a large kitchen that badly needs upgrading but as we plan to downsize soon it wasn't going to be cost effective to do a full refurb.

With the current configuration (breakfast bar) there would have been lot of waste if we bought sheet vinyl so did a bit of googling and came up with the vinyl planks. They look much nicer than a lot of laminates I've seen, and they are so easy to fit. B&Q have some instruction videos which are worth a look just for some tips. I actually bought more than we needed because I thought there would be more wastage and they might not wear well and need replacing, but four months on so far so good!

Probably should have tidied the dishcloth away before posting a pic

Cinema verite, myimagcat!
Thank you very much one and all. I’m off to browse diy.com

@Gordieboy not meaning to derail the thread but I've been looking at Zissner 123 for mohogany coloured wood panels (1930s). Although original, they seem to be a thin vaneer on top of a wood base so I'm reluctant to sand with mechanical sander. Would you recommend a clean and a light sand with sand paper before applying Zissner or literally clean and apply?