Have you ever painted your floorboards white and still have them look nice 5 years later?

[ScreamingBeans]

If so, how did you prep them, what paints did you use and how did you maintain them?

No. Had to top them up every year or so. Not a big job, but definitely more maintenance needed than sanding and sealing. Paint inevitably chips underfoot no matter how carefully you prep. Not noticeable in dark colours, but whites and pale colours will always need maintaining unless you're prepared to accept a level of shabbiness.

I have used specialist floor paints but actually had the best results with F and B Modern Eggshell.

Paint them grey and you won't have to worry about them.

Thanks all. @Thecazelets how long did your F&B job last?

We only had them for 2-3 years as it was a temporary measure before a big renovation. We're a shoes-off household which helped. The only room I recall redoing in that time was the dining room. I'd done it in Old White and it got a lot more traffic & crumbs, so needed mopping much more often which probably affected the durability. In a previous flat I did a bathroom floor in a plain white (not f and b) and I remember having to re-do that every few months because water, hair etc made it seem grubby really quickly. It's a quick and cheap fix but can be annoying to keep clean if the wood is at all knotty or textured rather than sanded completely smooth - it seems to grab hair and dirt.

My last house had a floor painted a pale green. I repainted that after about 4 or 5 years to a light grey and it was like that until I sold the house about 5 years later. It was a high traffic downstairs room and both looked fine. I used International floor paint at the time (about 20 years ago) but I don't think that still exists. Am debating painting my bathroom floor now so want to know what's as durable as that International paint.

Oh! Good question OP

Nope we painted ours white with proper wood floor paint (I can't remember the name of it) 3 years later they are pretty much back to wood coloured.

I’ve painted lots of floors using several different paints. F & B has always worked well, but I’ve done a lot of white floors and stairs in Dulux trade eggshell in white ( not pure brilliant white).
If there are any marks or stains on the timber I might put some Zinzer Bin primer on first, but don’t usually use primer, just straight on to the wood.
The stairs got a bit chipped, but as we have always been a shoes off household, overall we didn’t get too much wear.

I'm fairly sure Wickes still sell International Floor paint...though I think only in white, black, and grey.

@Itscoldouthere did you use any topcoat or sealant over the paint?
I want to paint a small area, but it's the entrance to our house, and will get heavy usage, so unsure.

No if you put a varnish or sealer you risk it either being shiny/slippy or the top cost yellowing.
If it’s a high traffic area be prepared to wash/mop regularly.
I had Off Black F & B in our hallway, county location with dog so muddy paws but found it easy enough to keep clean.

@LostInTime

I'm fairly sure Wickes still sell International Floor paint...though I think only in white, black, and grey.

Oh, thanks. I remember I mixed white into the grey to make it pale. But didn't note by what proportions so needed to guess for next coat.

Not white, but I used Wilkos grey floor paint to do our stairs and three years later it's still looking great. Not had to do any touch ups and it's easy to keep clean. I think there's a white version of their floor paint too.

Are you also a shoes off household, Woodpigeon?

Yes absolutely - no shoes on the stairs for sure!