How to Paint a Basement Floor

Choosing the Right Paint and Application Method

By
Joseph Lewitin
Joseph Lewitin

Joseph Lewitin wrote about flooring for The Spruce for four years. He got his start in his father's tile import warehouse as a teenager, learning every aspect of the flooring industry, from design and fabrication to maintenance and repair.

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Updated on 06/05/23
Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier
Reviewed by Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
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Fact checked by
Sarah Scott
SS
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
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Freshly painted concrete basement floor

Paul Phillips / Stocksy

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 3 - 4 days
  • Yield: Painted floor
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $2 to $5 per sq. ft.

Most unfinished basements have a concrete floor, which can look unsightly in its raw state. Applying basement floor paint can make an unfinished basement floor look much more welcoming. If the concrete slab is smooth enough, a well-painted floor covered can look nice with area rugs, turning the space into a recreation room, workshop, exercise room, or more.

Read on to learn about the types of paint for basement floors and how to apply basement floor paint for a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to make an unfinished basement more suitable.

The Best Paint for Basement Floors

The best material for painting a basement floor is a two-part epoxy paint consisting of epoxy resin and a hardener. The hardening action involves a chemical reaction rather than evaporation, and the resulting surface is a highly durable and chemical-resistant finish.

Another advantage of employing quality concrete epoxy in a basement is that it can help waterproof and seal the basement floors. The paint creates a tight membrane that will not allow water to pass through it except under severe flooding conditions.

Because two-part epoxy paints are somewhat challenging to use, some people prefer using other concrete paints or floor coatings. Some of these products may be labeled as epoxy paints but are not true epoxies unless they combine two parts.

If you use a one-part floor coating or paint, make sure it is labeled for concrete floors. These paints will be considerably easier to apply than epoxy, but you can expect to repaint the floor every five years since concrete floor paint is less durable than epoxy.

Safety Considerations

Beware of their fumes and flammability When working with epoxy or oil-based paints.

  • Toxic fumes: True epoxy paints are somewhat tricky to use since they produce toxic fumes that can be difficult to dissipate in a confined basement. Read the paint label carefully, and follow all recommendations for using N95 respirators. Open all available windows and use fans to create cross-ventilation through the basement when using two-part epoxy.
  • Flammability: Many epoxy paints and standard paints that are oil-based produce fumes that are flammable. Do not use space heaters that produce open flames when painting with these products. Even gas water heaters or furnaces can be dangerous when painting a basement with epoxy or oil-based paint. Turn off gas appliances while painting; if supplemental heating is necessary, use electric space heaters that do not have an exposed heating element.

Preparation

Is Your Basement Prone to Flooding?

Do not paint a basement floor if flooding is a likelihood. Evaluate the floor and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent flooding. This may include sloping the ground soil around the exterior of the foundation away from the structure and ensuring that the gutters are clear and the downspouts are pointed away from the walls.

If the home has drain tile and a sump pump, ensure they are in good working order. If flooding has been an issue and your home has no sump pump system, consider investing in one before embarking on any floor painting in the basement.

Is Your Basement Humid?

Since basements are situated below ground level, they often have more moisture in the air due to condensation. If the basement's too humid, it can slow the rate at which the paint dries or cause it to cure incorrectly. Habitually damp basements can be prone to peeling paint, mold, and mildew growing on walls and in rugs. Correct the moisture issue by adding a dehumidifier to assist the paint in drying and making the basement a drier, more comfortable living space.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Trowel
  • Grinder or power sander with coarse sandpaper
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Dehumidifier or fan
  • Mop
  • Bucket
  • Detergent (for cleaning)
  • Old towel
  • Paint tray
  • Paintbrushes
  • Painter's tape
  • Paint roller
  • Roller covers
  • Breathing protection, such as a mask or respirator
  • Paint roller handle (optional)

Materials

  • Concrete patching compound
  • Concrete primer
  • Epoxy concrete paint or concrete floor paint

Instructions

  1. Prepare a Smooth Painting Surface

    • If there are any cracks in the concrete, fill them using a concrete repair compound or patch product. These products are available in pre-mixed form or as dry powders to be mixed with water; trowel on the repair compound and allow it to dry.
    • After applying the patching material, grind or sand the edges until smooth. If there are any raised surfaces, those should also be sanded down. Cracks and damaged areas become glaringly apparent once covered with paint and can become tripping hazards.

  2. Clean the Floor

    • Sweep or vacuum the surface of the floor thoroughly. Ensure no loose dirt or debris will get trapped in the drying paint.
    • After vacuuming, mop the floor with detergent and water, then rinse with clear water to remove fine dust.
    • Dry any visible wet spots with a towel, then let the floor dry for a full 24 hours with a dehumidifier or fan running. The floor must be completely dry before painting.

    Tip

    Before beginning the painting job, adjust the room temperature so it is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is optimal for drying epoxy paint. Consult the paint labels for precise information on the ideal working temperature.

  3. Prime the Floor

    Though some epoxy products or floor paint are an all-in-one solution, others require priming the floor before application.

    • To apply primer to the concrete, use paintbrushes and a paint roller. Start at the wall farthest from the door, and work back towards the exit so you don’t paint yourself into a corner. Use long strokes, and apply the primer as evenly as possible over the entire area. If bubbles or puddles form, roll over them with a mostly dry roller to smooth out the application.
    • When you finish, wait 24 hours for the primer to dry before moving on to painting.

    Tip

    A long handle attached to a roller makes the work of priming and painting much easier.

  4. Apply Painter's Tape

    Before painting, apply painter's tape along the walls wherever they touch the floor. This will keep the color from spreading to unwanted surfaces and make the painting process much quicker.

  5. Mix the Paint Thoroughly

    Follow the manufacturer's directions for mixing the paint.

    • With two-part epoxies, mix a limited amount so the paint will not harden before you finish the application.
    • One-part floor paints should be thoroughly stirred or shaken to mix the pigments.

    Warning

    Don breathing protection, such as a respirator, while mixing and using epoxy paints. Epoxy paint can emit strong fumes, especially in basements with limited ventilation.

  6. Paint the Floor

    Two-part epoxy paints have a limited window before they begin to harden, so the quicker you can apply the paint, the better.

    • Use a paintbrush to "cut in" the edges of the floor adjacent to the walls.
    • Begin rolling the "field"—the expanse of the floor inside the edges. Start in the areas furthest from the exit, as you did with the primer. Make sure that the coat is as flat and seamless as possible.

  7. Apply a Second Coat of Paint

    Let the first coat dry thoroughly, as the label directions instruct, then apply a second coat of paint.

    Tip

    Some paints require 12 to 24 hours to dry between coats, which may need to be increased if the humidity is high or adequate ventilation is not possible.

When to Call a Professional

If you have decided to tackle basement floor painting and discover you have a moisture problem with excessive condensation, pooling or seepage of groundwater, or mold and mildew issues, contact a basement waterproofing expert, mold remediator, or a general contractor with experience mitigating basement moisture and mold issues.

Consider calling a professional painting team if you have a lot of cracks to fill or don't have much time to devote to this project. It will require several days, and much of that time is spent waiting for the paint to dry. Also, since you're likely dealing with a more humid environment, a professional team has industrial-size fans, dehumidifiers, and all the other equipment and gadgets that speed up the process.

How Often to Repaint Basement Floors

Concrete basement floors painted with two-step epoxy paint can last 10 to 20 years without needing another coat of paint. It's closer to 10 years if the basement gets a lot of traffic and 20 years if it is seldom used.

Using one-step epoxy paint, you can expect to repaint the floor in about five years. Any other concrete paints using acrylic or latex will only last three to five years, wearing off, chipping, fading, and turning to dust.

FAQ
  • Is it a good idea to paint a concrete basement floor?

    Painting over a concrete basement floor is great for waterproofing and sealing reasons. It also makes the floor look nicer and, when done right, can increase the value of your house.

  • Should I paint or seal my basement floor?

    Epoxy paint is a two-for-one; it paints and seals. A two-step epoxy paint is the best way to go for basement floor paint.

  • What is the best color for a concrete basement floor?

    The standard, most common paint color for concrete basement floors is gray since it matches the surface. However, you can break out of that and go with lighter neutral colors like beige and ivory or invoke nature by going green, sky, or ocean blue.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Lee S, Kim I, Park D, Song J, Lee SG. A case of acute organic solvent poisoning during epoxy coating. Ann Occup Environ Med., vol. 18, no. 31, 2019. doi:10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e9

  2. Paint Handling and Disposal. Pennsylvania State University Environmental Health and Safety.