Painted Concrete Floors That Last and Last and Last

by Bobbi Perreault

2 Materials

$100

3 Days

Easy

Ten years ago when we built this house, to save money we painted all the floors, which are made of concrete. I thought "oh, in a few years when we get some money ahead we'll do regular flooring" That didn't happen yet! And the floors today need another coat of sealer and wax, but other than losing their shine the paint is still fine. A few places, like under the dining room table have shown wear. But the wear from chairs was stopped as soon as I put felt on the bottom of the chairs. I saw a question or two about painted floors and hoped this might help someone.

Here are the basic steps to follow to reproduce this, each step is pictured below as well:

Pick your pattern. I had the clock face for a table top and Google showed some nice brick patio arrangements.
Use masking tape to outline the brick pattern. Where the tape is, the concrete natural color will show.
Paint the first darkest brick color over the entire floor. No worries about seeping, as fuzzy lines make a painting look more natural.
When the first coat is dry, with your brush - brush on the next lighter brick color. Don't brush out to the tape, leave some of the dark color showing around the edges.
When the second coat is dry, with your sponge - sponge on some lighter highlights. You may even want to select a brick here and there to receive more of the highlights than others to simulate natural brick.
When the paint is dry, remove the masking tape. This is when I painted the clock face using tracing paper to put the design onto the floor.
When all is dry, put on three coats of the sealer that is linked to below. You can buy this at the big box home improvement store too.
When the sealer is dry, put on two or three coats of wax.
You are done.

finished porch floor.

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, To prepare for painting I putdown masking tape everywhere Ineeded the concrete to remainunpainted

To prepare for painting, I putdown masking tape everywhere Ineeded the concrete to remainunpainted.

painted concrete floors that last and last and last

The center circle will be aclock face. I like that picture and want to see it all the time

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, This is the first coat of paint it s a brick red color The paint I used was Oops paint from Home Depot flat or semi gloss latex interior it got sealed in later

This is the first coat of paint,it's a brick red color. The paint I used was Oops paint, from Home Depot. (flat or semi-gloss latex interior, it got sealed in later)

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, The second coat is the brick red from before with some beigemixed in slightly warmerand lighter in tone I put it down in each brick leaving an outline of the darker brick red on the edges

The second coat is the brick red from before with some beigemixed in - slightly warmerand lighter in tone. I put it down in each brick,leaving an outline of the darker brick red on the edges.

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, Also it s hard to see here but there s a border around the outside of the floorwhich has remained the dark color

Also, it's hard to see here,but there's a border around the outside of the floorwhich has remained the dark color

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, The last color on the bricks isa golden color tan It s sponged over the top of the bricksleaving a pretty darn close approximation of bricks

The last color on the bricks isa golden color, tan. It's sponged over the top of the bricksleaving a pretty darn close approximation of bricks.

Sponging, different view, and here the tape is coming off to show the unpainted concrete below.

Pulling off the tape.

The tape is up andit's time to paint the clock.

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, This clock face came out of a magazine not too much of that on the Internet yet when I did this floor It s traced onto the concrete

This clock face came out of a magazine (not too much of that on the Internet yet when I did this floor) It's traced onto the concrete.

Just outlining where the tracings are.

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, The final steps are so important Two coats of sealer http www hillyard com Material asp x 1 pid 130 and three coats of wax Industrial floor sealer like you get from Hillard I think Home Depot or Lowes probably has it too

The final steps are so important. Two coats of sealer (http://www.hillyard.com/Material.asp?x=1&pid=130)and three coats of wax. Industrial floor sealer like you get from Hillard. (I think Home Depot or Lowes probably has it too.)

painted concrete floors that last and last and last, A link to the type of wax

A link to the type of wax: ( http://www.hillyard.com/Material.asp?catind=1&x=2&pid=HIL0052806&cid= )

Here's a supply list: A favorite tile pattern (browse Google images!) Lots of masking tape flat or satin latex wall paint in your chosen colors floor wax and sealer from your home supply store. Like this: http://www.hillyard.com/Material.asp?catind=1&x=2&pid=HIL0052806

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3 of 11 questions

Kim on May 25, 2020

I love your brick pattern. I’ve always wanted a brick floor. Thanks for the fantastic way to get it! I’m going to pull this old carpet and get to it.

1
Janie Canales on Sep 21, 2020

Can this be done on outdoor concrete?

2
KKAbsherwrites on May 21, 2023

Love it! Links no longer work for the sealer or wax. Can you tell me what those are, please?

1

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3 of 108 comments

Teresa on Apr 26, 2020

I don't have a question. I just wanted to thank you for the idea. I've been trying to figure out what to do with my living room floor because when we pulled up the carpet, it wasn't level, smooth, nor finished out. And the bricks turned out perfect!! Thank you!!

3 Reply
- Bobbi Perreault on Apr 28, 2020
  
  I love the way the bricks are enhanced by the unevenness of some concrete. Like an old cobblestone street. Hope you enjoy.
  
  1
Janie Canales on Sep 21, 2020

Love it. Just BEAUTIFUL. I hope I can do this outside on my porch.

4 Reply