Can You Paint Laminate Flooring? The Question Answered!

Laminate flooring has quickly become one of the overly preferred flooring solutions for a wide range of people. However, the truth is that this particularly inexpensive solution could easily get used up after a year or two and having to replace it with a new one might seem like quite the hassle. With this in mind, a lot of people are considering painting it over, and thus this is one of the most popular questions. However, can you really paint laminate flooring? The answer, even though positive, could be quite confusing. Yes, you can get it painted, but you would have to go through some procedures first due to the overall nature of the laminate flooring solution. Let’s take a look.

Give It A Proper Cleaning

The first thing that you have to ensure is that there is absolutely no residual dirt left on your laminate flooring. The best choice for your cleaning product would be to use a tri-sodium phosphate solution in order to properly remove all sorts of dirt from the flooring. However, keep in mind that laminate flooring should not be exposed to excessive moisture so exercise caution. Once the floor is dry, you can proceed to the next step.

Sand The Flooring

Once you are through with the cleaning and the flooring has all dried up, you can use a 180 grit sand paper in order to properly remove the surface gloss. This is done so that the paint can have a surface to stick to. Laminate flooring solutions are exceptionally “slippery”, so to speak, and if you don’t remove the top gloss layer, no paint would actually hold. Even if it does, it’s going to become transparent, and you wouldn’t be able to get the job done.

You should also consider using a deglosser for the same purpose. You can use a clean cloth towel in order to apply this solution to the entire surface of the flooring. It’s going to help you get rid of all the gloss that the sand paper missed. You can wait for about 10 minutes for it to dry and you can move on with the painting.

Can I Refinish The Top Layer?

A huge advantage that engineered hardwood has its ability to be refinished. Unlike laminate, this flooring can be restored with sanding and can be made to look new all over again. Just remember that this can only be done a couple of times as the hardwood layer is only so thick.

Paint Thoroughly

Now, you need to know that you might have to apply a second coat if needed after the first one. In any case, you need to apply as much paint as it’s needed to properly cover the laminate foundation and ensure the result that you are looking for. The colour doesn’t matter.

Furthermore, you have to be aware of the fact that once you undertake this particular task, there is absolutely no turning back from it. You either paint the laminate flooring or you get rid of it because you wouldn’t be able to restore its initial appeal. That’s why you need to seriously think through this and picture the way your floor is going to look because it will take on a whole new appearance once you are through with the painting.