Paint concrete floor or not?

lostinrates

In not too long, a few weeks, the uilders we have had here for summer will be leaving and we move into our new kitchen, utility, and study (hurrah) however, we are not having a finished floor put down yet, This is mainly because of cash flow, but also because have made no final decision about what we want.

The concrete floor is smooth and new, but would painting it make it easier to clean and maintain till our decision is made and affordable?


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babyshoes

Afraid I don't know the technicalities of it, but my concern would be that whenever I do something 'that will do for now' (for whatever reason) it ends up being like that for a much longer time than intended, because it becomes less of a priority as it currently does the job 'well enough'.

Not sure if you are like that or if you will be able to cover over the painted floor as a priority when the money becomes availablea, but I know most of my family suffers from a similar affliction!

If you decide not to paint it, another temporary covering might be pound shop rugs in the places you are likely to spend time standing. If you have only spent a few quid on them, you are more likely to be willing to get rid or repurpose them when the time comes!

pigpen

I wouldn't.. I'd put cardboard boxes over it.. flattened obviously.. that way when they get grotty you can recycle and replace, they will also be warmer to walk on than naked concrete and while they may not look too pretty they are cheap and functional.

ladyg2009

I've been living with a concrete floor for 2 years (long story).... But the dust they create is incredible.... So you could put cardboard etc down, but first I'd recommend sealing the concrete first. The most MSE way to seal it is with PVA mixed with water.... Then painted over the concrete.

It will seal the dust in, then put whatever you want on top for warmth, without dust galore.

Hope that helps

maman

pigpen wrote: »

I wouldn't.. I'd put cardboard boxes over it.. flattened obviously.. that way when they get grotty you can recycle and replace, they will also be warmer to walk on than naked concrete and while they may not look too pretty they are cheap and functional.

I'd definitely not paint it but cover with something otherwise it'll be very cold in winter and anything you drop will smash.

I don't know what you're planning longer term but I've had all sorts in my kitchen over the years (quarry, carpet, laminate). Have now settled on sheet vinyl flooring. It's the warmest, softest and easiest to clean of any surface I've tried. There are heaps of lovely patterns and colours out there.

pigpen

ladyg2009 wrote: »

I've been living with a concrete floor for 2 years (long story).... But the dust they create is incredible.... So you could put cardboard etc down, but first I'd recommend sealing the concrete first. The most MSE way to seal it is with PVA mixed with water.... Then painted over the concrete.

It will seal the dust in, then put whatever you want on top for warmth, without dust galore.

Hope that helps

PVA is great for sealing concrete and plaster.. get a mop .. mix PVA in bucket (1:10 mix I think we were advised.. it was a while back I froggit) and just mop it before bed.. stand mop in plain water overnight and do it again the next night.. worked a treat on ours, though being tight I continued the nightly 'painting' until the bucket was empty... the mop head was binned and replaced..

lostinrates

Thank ypu. I did not know it would creat dust:(. I did plan washable rugs. I am dubious about cardboard or hard board because this area includes the dogs' main way in and out and the wet from their feet will make something that brwaks down like that grotty and icky. Washable rugs seemed a better plan here?

rachbc

i'd paint it - we have painted our cellar flow and it def cuts down the dust and makes cleaning easier, add a few cheap washable rugs for warmth like you plan

zcrat41

Check first with flooring people what is ok. We're about to paint a workshop concrete floor but it needs acid etch and a primer first.

andygb

ladyg2009 wrote: »

I've been living with a concrete floor for 2 years (long story).... But the dust they create is incredible.... So you could put cardboard etc down, but first I'd recommend sealing the concrete first. The most MSE way to seal it is with PVA mixed with water.... Then painted over the concrete.

It will seal the dust in, then put whatever you want on top for warmth, without dust galore.

Hope that helps

The big advantage with using PVA, is that when you come to put another surface on top - tiles maybe, the concrete will be ready sealed.

lostinrates

Ok, i have checked with dh. We are restricted to floor covering because of the listing of out building, so long term it has to be stone out there (i thought so but was not sure) and in the study it can be stone or wood. (which is a cheek because it was lino when we bought it..). Hard floors suit us with the dogs, and its why we have to save up again so we can get the right stone and wood.