The Best Basement Floor Paint For Your Home Renovation
If you’re having doubts on renovating your basement floor, worry not. There are a lot of homeowners who tend to neglect the look and condition of their basement floors thinking they can get away with it. After all, who brings guests down their basement anyway right?
Well, you shouldn’t base your decision whether or not your visitors will actually lay their eyes on it. It’s nice to actually go down your basement and be greeted with a fresh and clean flooring. A new color and smooth coating can change the entire look and feel of your basement.
In some cases, you can even convert your basement from a storage facility into a cool hangout for your teenage kids. That’s actually what we did with our own basement. My 15-year-old son has been begging me for ages to renovate and transform our basement into a game and entertainment room.
After some serious consideration, I decided to give in. That’s when I first came across the following basement floor paints below. You’re probably generating a lot of ideas in your head right now. However, before you start with your basement renovation project, we’ll give you some valuable tips on how to paint your floors as well as the different kinds of paint products to use.
How To Paint Your Basement Floors
Your floor acts as the main cornerstone of your basement. This is why picking the right color and paint is very important. Aside from that, knowing how to properly paint the surface can ensure the success of your renovation project.
Adding a fresh layer of concrete paint is probably the most inexpensive way to give your basement an entirely new look. It can transform any dull looking room into a vibrant and cool place your kids will love to hang out in. You don’t even have to buy expensive carpets to cover your dirty and stained floors. A good quality epoxy paint can do the job.
Make sure you pick the right type of paint that is specifically designed for basements, garages, and concrete floors. These type of paints are formulated with extremely durable materials that can endure heavy duty use.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Epoxy paint for concrete
- Epoxy-based primer
- Long-handled paint roller
- Paint brush
- Paint tray
- Painter’s tape
- Space heater
- Thermometer
- Stiff brush
- Broom
- Detergent
- Bucket
- Towel
Just follow these simple and easy steps:
1. Wear protective masks
The first step to any painting job is to protect yourself from harmful chemicals and compounds found in your paint. Wearing a protective mask will keep your lungs protected from the toxic fumes of the paint.
Most basements have small openings. Make sure all windows and doors of your basement are open. This will help create a proper ventilation. Otherwise, you might get suffocated especially with the strong smell of chemicals in some products.
2. Warm the room
Keep the temperature heated to 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature sets the right setting to prepare for the paint application. You can use the space heaters to keep the room warm.
3. Fix and cracks on the floor
If your basement floor has some minor cracks, you can use a concrete compound or patch to fix the problem. You can even sand the rough surfaces.
Make sure you repair any leaks, mildew, and condensation before you start painting. Otherwise, any water leaks can ruin your newly painted floor.
4. Clean your floor thoroughly
Use a broom to sweep off any dust and dirt on your basement floor. Mix a detergent and water in a bucket then use a stiff brush to scrub your concrete floor. Rinse the floor with clean water and use a towel to remove any residue. Let it completely dry.
5. Tape the edges
Once the floor dries completely, apply a painter’s tape around the edges and corners of your walls. This will help you avoid painting over the wrong areas.
6. Apply an epoxy-based primer
The primer will act as the base for the concrete paint. Use a paint roller to apply the primer starting from the back of the room. Paint with long and even brush strokes. Let the primer dry at least 24 hours after application.
7. Apply an epoxy paint
Start by painting around the corners and edges of the floor with a paint brush and paint tray. A paint brush will help your paint go over the surface evenly and flawlessly.
Once you finish painting the corners, use the roller to paint the rest of the floor. Keep the surface painted evenly. Let the epoxy paint dry for at least 12 hours before you apply a second coating. Repeat the same process.
8. Let the paint dry completely
Give your floors enough time to breathe for at least one week. Some paints may require lesser time but one week is enough to let the paint dry and solidify.
Once the paint fully dries, you can remove the painter’s tape and start setting up your basement. This means your floor is now ready for heavy equipment, furniture, and traffic.
Best Basement Paint Reviews
Here are the five top picks on the best basement paint available in the market today.
1. Rust-Oleum 203007 Basement Floor Kit, Gray
Via: Amazon.com
If you want a high-quality floor paint, the Rust-Oleum Basement Floor Kit may be an appropriate choice especially since it is tough on stains, tears, and abrasions. It is durable and will last for a very long time. This paint kit produces a nice matte finish which is a nice touch if you prefer a softer look.
Pros:
- This paint doesn’t have a strong odor so it’s easier to apply.
- I actually tried applying it on my basement walls and it works like a charm. This way, I don’t have to buy a separate paint for my wall making it more convenient and inexpensive.
- It’s easy to clean and maintain. Just use water and soap.
- The paint is easy to apply. It rolls on like regular paint.
Cons:
- The chips do not adhere well. Since the epoxy has a thin consistency, the chips don’t appear to stick well. Although the chips add texture to your paint, you can do fine without it.
- Make sure you apply the epoxy lightly. Otherwise, you may end up with streaks all over your basement floor just like what happened to mine.
- The paint has the tendency to chip off. You should clean your basement floor well before applying the paint. Any dirt or dust residue can ruin your paint work.
2. Colored Epoxies Omni Light Gray Epoxy Paint
Via: Amazon.com
The Omni Colored Epoxies is built for industrial strength making it a suitable choice for customers who want a professional quality paint. This epoxy paint adheres well to basement, garage, and concrete surfaces. This ultra-premium paint produces a durable and glossy finish to prevent chipping or cracking of paint.
Pros:
- This epoxy produces a smooth and elegant finish. It brought a nice touch to our floors.
- It adheres well to various surfaces such as concrete, wood, and fiberglass.
- So far, it holds up nicely. We’ve been abusing our floor for half a year now and it still looks as if we just painted it yesterday.
- You can also use it on wood surfaces. We applied it on our basement stairs and it works well.
- It is easy to apply even with a nap roller.
Cons:
- This paint has a strong odor. I didn’t like the smell of it at all.
- It took up to two days of curing.
- The finished product has little bubbling. You can easily fix his minor flaw by heating the surface.
- Although the finish looked great on our floors, I was hoping for a glossier finish.
- It has the tendency to discolor if applied indirect sunlight.
3. United Gilsonite Labs Drylok Concrete Floor Paint in Dove Gray
Via: Amazon.com
If you want to protect your concrete floors, the Drylok Concrete Floor Paint may be a good choice. This paint is formulated with pH levels comparable to concrete. This means it won’t easily breakdown, crack or peel like regular paints. This paint holds up well under traction, weather, daily wear and tear, and even washings.
Pros:
- This provides good coverage for concrete floors. It effectively concealed our floor’s old scratch marks and minor nicks.
- A little amount of paint goes a long way, therefore, saving you a few bucks.
- This is formulated to protect your floors and is versatile to use in garage, basement, concrete, patios, and wooden surface.
- It has a non-slip finish so it’s safe for your kids to play around in. You won’t to worry about accidental slips.
Cons:
- This paint has a thick consistency. Make sure you stir the paint and mix it well before applying it. Otherwise, you might end up with an uneven surface.
- It takes a long time to dry. In fact, it took us three days before the paint fully dried.
4. Drylok Concrete Floor Paint
Via: Amazon.com
The Drylok Concrete Floor Paint is scientifically formulated to treat your masonry floors which makes it a more suitable choice if you want a high-performance floor paint. Compared to the standard floor paint, the Drylok paint can outperform and withstand heavy use, extreme weather conditions, and other contaminants. It can endure heavy scrubbing and washings. Yet it is fairly easy to clean. Plus, the paint material is non-flammable.
Pros:
- This concrete floor paint works great on garage, basement floors, and even patios. My brother used this paint on all three areas of his house and it looks beautiful.
- The paint spreads easily and evenly on the surface.
- It effectively covers your old and stained concrete floors. My brother’s garage used to have dirt and water stains everywhere. After painting it with Drylok, it’s as if the stains never existed.
- The price of this paint is very reasonable.
Cons:
- It’s not that easy to find in stores.
- The finish may not be as smooth as expected.
5. KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint, White
Via: Amazon.com
The KILZ Basement Masonry paint is an appropriate solution for customers who are looking for waterproofing paint to protect their porous floors. This paint is infused with nanotechnology prevent water infiltration. It also works effectively on preventing mildews from building up on the surface. You can use it on various surfaces in your home including basement walls, concrete, stucco, brick, and cinder. The paint finish is made with high-quality ingredients that are durable and long-lasting.
Pros:
- It has a low odor so applying the paint is easy and convenient.
- The paint provides an even coating on the surface. You won’t have any issues on getting lumps and bumps.
- It is very east to apply even first-time painters can do this.
- The waterproofing feature works effectively. We used this to treat our parent’s leaking basement and we were all pleased with the result.
- The paint dries off quickly.
Cons:
- It’s a bit difficult to mix. You need to stir a lot and it requires lots of shaking.
Conclusion:
After reviewing all five basement floor paints, we came up with the conclusion and decided that the United Gilsonite Labs Drylok Concrete Floor Paint in Dove Gray wins as the best basement floor paint in the list. Although each product featured has their own unique features, the Drylok Concrete Paint stands out from the rest.
For homeowners that are looking for a solution to keep their concrete floors protected, the Drylok may be the most suitable choice. It doesn’t only protect your floors but it significantly improves the appearance of it. This paint is formulated with high-performance materials so you can expect a high-quality product that is tough and will last your floors a long time.
The drylock is strong and can withstand the daily traffic and heavy use on your floors. It prevents the paint from peeling or flaking so you can maintain your manicured floors without worrying when it will crack. At the same time, it successfully covers your old dirty and stained concrete floor so it looks fresh, clean, and brand new.