Best Paint for Plywood Floor

Finding the best paint for plywood floors will help ensure a beautifully completed project. However, there are other things to consider as well when painting a plywood floor.

Experts agree that oil based paints are the best paint for plywood floors. Oil based paints are made for indoor and outdoor use. Some homeowners will use porch-quality paint in their interior to be sure their floor will hold up to foot traffic and wear and tear from heavy furniture.

Painting a plywood floor will give you infinite options when it comes to color and design. You can paint the floor a bright color to create a non-wood look or you can paint a tile pattern on the floor. Many homeowners paint colorful borders and patterns on their plywood floors because it gives the room a unique look and it is relatively easy and inexpensive to do. You can even create a wood planked looking by grooving the floor and painting it with an oil-based wood stain.

• Floor prep. Before you begin painting, make sure your plywood floor is dry, clean and free from cracks and bumps. Cracks and depressions should be filled in with a filler product such as a floor leveling compound for best results. Make sure the compound dries hard before you start painting.
• Moisture. Too much water in a substrate, the cement slab below your floor, can cause paint to chip or peel. If you live below sea level or in a wet area, consult a flooring contractor. They can probably apply some kind of moisture management such as a vapor barrier before you paint. This will help the paint stick.
• Primer. Before you paint, prime the floor with a primer or sealer that is compatible with the paint you choose. Most manufacturers will recommend you sand the floor lightly and then prime. The primer will help the paint adhere and will allow the paint color to seep in without picking up any wood grain patterns from the plywood. Oil resins will stick to the plywood floor better than water-based paints.
• Sealer. After you paint, experts recommend coating the floor with at least three coats of clear urethane. This will give the floor the durability to withstand heavy foot traffic and leave a nice glossy sheen on the surface. If you forgo the urethane, the paint will start to show wear and tear quickly. Remember to use a non-yellowing urethane or your floor as it may start to look dingy over time.

Local hardware and paint stores stock oil-based paints suitable for painting plywood floors. Home improvement superstores will also have a large variety of choices. Lowes carries Valspar oil porch and floor paint, polyurethane based, high gloss paint. Valspar can be used indoors or out and is resistant to scuffing and abrasion.

Dutch Boy also makes oil based floor paint suitable for interiors and exteriors. Like Valspar, the manufacturer claims the product is scratch and abrasion resistant.

Also consider environmentally-friendly paints such as low-VOC paint. The Real Milk Paint Company sells a product made from 100% organic material that it claims will work on plywood floors. As with any product, make sure to consult a salesperson or contractor before choosing your final products.

If you want to create a highly-stylized look with custom colors and intricate designs, consider paint from Farrow & Ball. This company manufactures a wide range of traditional and modern paint finishes in beautiful colors. Plus, many of their products are made with Linseed Oil and China Clay.

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