The Dos and Don'ts of Painting Wood Floors

DON’T sand a wood floor by hand

Instead rent an upright floor sander (around $65 per day at a home improvement store) to remove lingering wax, stain, or paint — your back and knees will thank you. Just be careful: Sanding is a dusty, messy process, and it’s easy to accidentally gouge the floor. 

DO take a second look at oil paint 

It isn’t eco-friendly, the cleanup is labor-intensive, and lots of stores don’t sell it. But for floors, the adhesion, coverage and durability are unbeatable. If you opt for latex paint — look for the kind specially made for floors and porches — you’ll probably want to seal the floors with clear polyurethane to improve wear and tear. 

DON’T practice that tap-dance routine just yet

Freshly painted floors need TLC: Avoid walking on them for at least three days after painting, and tread lightly (no shoes) for at least the next 30 days.