Painting over floor tiles

[Helena&Jerry]

Hello

I inherited some great floor tiles over a large area, pity they are all contrasting patterns and colours! Right now the price to replace with a tile of choice is prohibitively expensive so I have been researching the possibility of painting over them as a temporary fix for a few years. The American diy sites give lots of detail and suggests this is both easy to achieve and viable for tiled flooring that doesn't receive too much water.

I wonder if any of you have tried painting floor tiles and if you have survived the toxic shock could let me know outcome?

Probably will try small-scale on my upcoming visit.


Helena

[Doug]

Hi Helena,
Di and I have put enamel paint down on a smooth cement floor. Cement is obviously more porous than polished stone or ceramic so it adhered, but the paint still scratched pretty easily moving furniture and things over it. I'd be afraid that paint over marble or similar stone would scrape off even more easily.

If you were careful to stick those little felt pads on the legs of every chair, table, etc you could minimize the scraping. Removing hard sole shoes at the door would be some mitigation too.

Epoxy paint would be the most durable but as you noted, good ventilation is a must given the toxicity. Since you're just looking for a short term fix, it could work with some of these precautions....especially since you are not there fulltime. Have fun!

[Helena&Jerry]

Thanks Doug. I know concrete is different and have see paint jobs on stairwells etc which are just passable. Having oak flooring in my own home I am used to padding out furniture.

We are over this month to check works progress. Sounds like you are not in Italy then. Guess we will meet some time soon.

Regards

Helena