How to whitewash wooden floors

There's something truly beautiful about a whitewashed wooden floor, especially an older floor that cannot be restored or sanded any more. A whitewashed floor lends itself to an older home, or one decorated in a more relaxed style, such as Shabby Chic, French Country, Rustic or Cottage.

 

 

When thinking about whitewashing a wood floor bear in mind that there is more to white than just white. What I like to call 'Whisper Whites' have just a small amount of colour added to tint them to cool white or warm white shade

 

 

There is a misconception that whitewashed floors are difficult to maintain, but when topped off with two coats of polyurethane varnish, whitewashed floors are just as easy to keep clean as any other type of finished floor.

 

 

 

How do I paint a whitewashed floor?

Step 1

Prepare, prepare, prepare! Preparation is the key to the success of a good whitewashing technique. Take the time to sand off the existing finish of the floor. If it's been previously varnished or painted you need to remove this completely: start with 80-grit sandpaper, move up to 120-grit sandpaper and finish off with 220-grit sandpaper. It sounds like a lot of work, but if you have a Random Orbit Sander you'll be finished in no time.

Step 2

After painting be sure to clean up by wiping the floor with a mop lightly dampened with mineral turpentine. If the floor wasn't previously painted or varnished but rather sealed or oiled, use fine steel wool and mineral turpentine to go over the surface.

Step 3

For the whitewash you will need Plascon Wall & All . I am recommending this product because of its durability and the fact that it is water based. Depending on the finished colour that you want, you need to water down the paint until you achieve the desired effect. Try it out on an inconspicuous part of the floor to see the results.

Step 4

You can use a paint roller with an extension pole to apply the paint to the floor, but you will need a paintbrush to go around the edges. If you want a more distressed finish, let the whitewash sit on the floor for two to three minutes, then wipe off with a cloth.

Step 5

To protect the floor and make it easier to maintain, apply two coats of water-based clear polyurethane to the floor using a paint roller and extension pole.

If you prefer not to apply polyurethane, another option is to use a wax polish, but bear in mind that this will need to be repeated regularly.

GOOD TO KNOW: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the drying time to prevent damage to your new floor.