WHEN it comes to giving your home a makeover, the value it adds to your home is just as important as the aesthetic upgrade.
But an interiors expert has warned there is one so-called upgrade that can actual make your property less desirable to buyers when the time comes to sell.
A man painting a wooden bedroom floor with black paint in an old Victorian house.[/caption]
Painting floors can add extra character and design to rooms.
It’s also a quick fix way to make tired flooring look brand new again.
However, Liam Cleverdon, Flooring Expert at Flooring King has revealed there are many drawbacks of engaging with this design trend.
And he’s urged DIY fans to avoid it completely.
He says: “From covering up damage to seeking a brand new look, there are various reasons why people may choose to paint their floors.
“However, this design choice is not without its drawbacks.”
Here, he reveals the issues people could face if they attempt the DIY job.
Lots of maintenance
Liam says: “Firstly, one of the biggest negatives with painted floors is the upkeep.
“To maintain a complete and tidy look, painted surfaces will require frequent touch-ups to address any scuffs, chips or discolouration.
“This can prove quite time-consuming and quickly becomes much more work than regular hardwood or LV T flooring requires.
“Additionally, markings can show up quite easily on painted floors, meaning touch-ups may be needed more than you might expect.”
Incredibly easy to damage
In comparison to regularly finished wooden floors, Liam argues that painted surfaces are “so easy” to damage or mark, leading to replacement costs or time spent maintaining the floor.
He adds: “For people with children or pet-heavy homes, painted floors can pose a challenge, it only takes dragging furniture or dropping a sharp object to scratch the surface and harm the overall aesthetic.
“Also, in summer, sections of the floor that are constantly in the sun can quickly become discoloured.
“While it can be a unique design choice, in some homes, it’s simply not practical enough to justify. “
It harms the property’s value
While opting to paint floors may seem like a bright idea at the time, it can quickly become an annoyance when the time comes to sell the property.
Liam says: “Opting to paint can negatively affect the value of the home and deter buyers – with many preferring original flooring that offers a more timeless appeal.
“Traditional flooring, such as hardwood, laminate or LVT are all well-known and popular options, painting floors could provide a headache when it’s time to move on.”
Moisture issues are common
“On some flooring types, including wooden surfaces, paint can pose a moisture problem”, Liam reveals.
This occurs as paint can act as a barrier, trapping moisture beneath it and raising the risk of the material warping.
The moisture can also lead to mould, impacting aesthetics and posing an immediate health risk in people’s homes.
Liam adds: “Therefore, I recommend avoiding this trend and instead maintaining the original flooring, minimising the risk of health concerns or further damage.”
The style can quickly become outdated
Hardwood and laminate style flooring are popular due to their timeless appeal.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with painted floors and the colour or overall look can quickly become outdated or untrendy, according to Liam.
He adds: “This then brings cost implications when it’s time to replace the look, so to avoid this, choose to prioritise a surface in a style that won’t go out of fashion, helping to maintain an inviting living space.
“Overall, while I can see the appeal behind painting floors, I believe it offers too many durability and maintenance issues to make it practical to the common household.
“Instead, I recommend choosing a design that can be easily replaced or addressed if damaged without wide-scale costs.”
