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5 Best Paint For Basement Floors Reviews And Buying Guide [2023]

We put a lot of effort and time into keeping our homes the best in design and looks. However, in this process, we ignore the basements. Whenever we think of basements, we imagine a dingy and dark place. A simple solution to this problem is using paint specially made for basements and garages.  

Painting your basement floors or walls will rejuvenate life in them and end their boring and dull look. There are numerous great brands that provide paints that are a perfect fit for your basements. Besides, such a wide range of options allows the people to find the paint which suits their requirements. 

The five products reviewed below are some of the best paint for basement floors present in the market. Moreover, the buying guide mentioned will provide certain factors that should be considered before buying any floor paint for basement. 

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1. KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint, White, 1-gallon – Best for Basement

The first on our list is this KILZ paint. This premium looking paint is made in a way to be waterproof.

Therefore, if you face moisture, mold, mildew, etc., in your basements, this paint will get rid of such problems. It is suitable for metal, wood, and concrete surfaces. 

Performance and technology features

This paint uses nanotechnology to prevent spoiling by water. However, do not use on surfaces that are currently having water leakage. It is available in multiple colors. Remember to clean the surface thoroughly before applying the paint. Fill in the cracks and open spaces prior to applying the primer. 

One gallon of this waterproof basement floor paint can cover 75 to 125 square feet. The roller should be of ½ to ¾ inch, four-inch nylon or polyester brush and spray gun of PSI higher than 2200. The thickness of the paint is good, and hence, it creates a coat that is dependable and protects it from fading and peeling. Two coats of paint are advised for a proper finish. 

Is this product recommended?

In terms of durability and price, this is the best basement floor paint you can find. This will give a perfect finish and keep your basement new-looking for a long time. Thus, it is a product you would not regret investing in. 

Pros

  • Great reliability.
  • It is waterproof.
  • Extremely easy to apply.
  • Worth its price.

Cons

  • The coverage is not very wide.

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2. KILZ Interior/Exterior Enamel Porch & Patio Latex Floor Paint, Low-Lustre, Slate Gray, 1 gallon – Best for Porch

Are you looking for a durable paint for your basement floor? If yes, then this paint is what you need. It is manufactured in a way to stand in all kinds of conditions, whether hot, cold, humid, or dry.

No matter what surface you are painting it on, it will not fade or peel off. Hence, this paint is considered to be one of the best. 

Performance and technical features

KILZ paint delivers a long-lasting and low shine finish on the surface. You can apply it on the surface which has already been painted or primed. Besides that, it dries after one hour of applying and can be recoated after four to six hours. The kind of texture this acrylic paint has makes it easier to spread on the surface and hence easy to use. 

It is considered suitable for both rough and smooth surfaces. A one-gallon unit of this paint can cover approximately 300-400 sq. ft. on smooth while 200-300 sq. ft. on rough surfaces. Remember to use a good quality ⅜ to ½ inch nap roller and nylon brush or an airless sprayer to get the best results. 

Is this product recommended?

According to the reviews of the customer, this paint gave a good result. The finish was smooth, and the color was different from ordinary paint. Not only did it hide the ugliness and unevenness of the surface, but it also protected from corrosion and spoiling. Hence, there was no doubt that it is a highly recommended product. 

Pros

  • Good thickness and texture.
  • Simple to apply.
  • Can withstand harsh conditions.
  • Metal clips to prevent any leakage.

Cons

  • The area it can cover is less.

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3. The Spruce Best Home by KILZ Interior Paint & Primer in One, Morning Fog, Eggshell, 1 Gallon – Best Durability

Another paint by KILZ is this paint, which is perfect for people who cannot stand the intense smell that paints emit. This odor-free paint is created with experience and is available in multiple colors.

Thus, you can choose the color which suits the decor of your house. You can use any method to apply this paint, whether roller, spray, or brush. 

Performance and technical features

This is packed with some of the best features, which ensures a good performance by this product. Besides being available in 32 colors, it also allows the user to decide whether they want a matte, semi-gloss, or low shine finish. Even if you have no experience in applying paint, you will find it pretty easy to use if the instructions are followed properly. 

Moreover, it becomes versatile with its high reliability and can be applied not only in the basements but anywhere around the house. It will not lose its shine or spoil due to moisture. With its stain-resistant property, it is a piece of cake to clean this paint. Just a splash of water and soap is sufficient to clean it. 

Is this product recommended?

This paint gives an outstanding result. With its smooth texture, it is easy to apply and leaves no streaks or marks. The resultant color is bright and just as promised. The price is also appropriate. Thus, the people who have used this product previously would advise others to use it as well. 

Pros

  • Offers excellent value for money.
  • Wide range of colors to choose from.
  • Pretty simple to clean.
  • One gallon covers a good area of the surface.

Cons

  • The color accuracy is not good.
  • It may require more than one layer.

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4. INSL-X SU031009A-01 Sure Step Acrylic Anti-Slip Coating Paint, 1 Gallon, Light Gray – Best Overall

Are you looking for an anti-slip paint? Then this is a paint that you might like. This is a paint that can be applied on multiple surfaces, be it metal, wood, concrete, etc.

Its anti-slip property makes it a safe coating. Not only that, it gives a bright and warm finish. Thus, it is a product worth considering. 

Performance and technical features

This paint will provide a smooth yet anti-slip texture on the surface. It is resistant to any form of scratches and is not going to wear-off easily. The coating is ready to withstand light foot traffic after 24 hours of supply, while it becomes sturdy enough for heavy foot traffic after four to six days. The color after the paint is completely dried up is brilliant. 

Remember to use high-grade ½ to ¾ inch rollers for a smooth and easy application. The coating should always be done in perpendicular directions for a proper and equal coat throughout the surface. Moreover, the paint should be stirred repeatedly to avoid any lumps which may settle at the bottom of the can. It can cover up to 80 to 120 sq. ft. of area. 

Is this product recommended?

This is an easy and affordable solution to the problem of slippery surfaces. The customers are very satisfied with the results they got from this product. The stirring stick provided in the purchase makes the job even more simple. Therefore, it is a great choice and recommended by its users.

Pros

  • Quite easy to use.
  • The resultant color is great.
  • The price is reasonable.
  • Durability is high.

Cons

  • It needs to be multi-layered.
  • The color may fade away with time.

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5. KILZ L378701 Interior/Exterior Slip-Resistant Decorative Concrete Paint, 1 Gallon, Gray – Best Slip-Resistant

If you have a basement with a concrete floor and need paint that can remove its dullness, then this concrete paint for basement is specially made for such surfaces is just the right fit for you.

KILZ has been in the business of paint making for the last forty years, and hence, this is a brand whose products you can trust. 

Performance and technical features

This paint coating will provide a durable cover on concrete surfaces. It is dust and grease resistant, and thus, once using, the surface will remain clean and fresh for a long period of time. For the best finish, use a best-in-class ¼ inch roller. This will leave a unique and beautiful matte finish. 

After three to four hours of applying, the paint is dry enough for the second coat. The painted surface can be opened to light foot traffic after twenty-four hours of applying. On the other hand, you will need to wait for seventy-two hours of painting for heavy foot traffic.

The user is required to apply two layers of this paint where the first layer is the base. One gallon of this paint can cover an area of forty to sixty sq. ft. 

Is this product recommended?

Yes, this product is recommended by others who have used this. It will provide the result it promises only when the instructions are followed correctly. For someone who has never painted before, it may seem like a difficult task at the beginning, but it will get easier with time. Thus, one should not hesitate about investing in this product. 

Pros

  • Provides an anti-slip coating.
  • Dries up quickly.
  • The color accuracy is great.

Cons

  • The price is not reasonable.
  • Not simple to use.

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What Are The Benefits Of Painting The Basement Floors?

After discussing the five best basement paint for floors, let us discuss why one should consider painting a basement floor in the first place, as spending a considerable amount of money just for our basements to look good does not seem like a great deal. To answer this question, we have discussed below the several advantages of painting basement floors. 

1. Improves Appearance

The first and the most obvious reason to paint your basement floor is to improve how they look. Basements are usually away from natural light and look dingy. Painting them improves their appearance and look. 

2. Reduced deteriorating effect of moisture

Basements due to their location under the ground are continuously exposed to a lot of moisture. Moisture is known to be the greatest enemy of the floor and even walls and gives rise to problems like mold, rot, etc. Painting the surfaces of the basement saves it from such problems.

3. Reduces Maintenance Required

Painted basements do not require intense scrubbing and cleaning. All you need is soap, water, and a vacuum to clean it. This reduces the maintenance and time taken to clean them. 

4. Makes The Surface Safer

Painting concrete basement floors is a typical task that a lot of people do but it tough because they are usually rough and grainy with cracks and dust. Slipping on such a surface may lead to serious abrasions on the skin. Painting over the surface makes them smooth and non-slippery, which makes them even safer.

5. Increases The Value Of Your House

With a basement which is free from any molds, bad odor and has a great appearance will surely be a great way to attract potential buyers for your house if you are planning to sell it.

Factors To Look Into While Buying Paint For Basement Floors

Once you are done reading the above description, the properties and features of a good paint for basement floors must be clear. However, you can just proceed and buy any one of them without checking if it is even suitable for you or not.

This is where the buying guide comes into the picture. Here you will find the features that are most significant to check when buying paint for your basement. 

1. Color

This is one of the obvious features. The paint you are buying must be of a color that suits the decor of your house. While some brands offer only cliche colors like grey, white, etc., some brands offer a wide variety of colors to choose from. Also, while choosing a color that is not so common in paints, remember to check its color accuracy. 

Color accuracy refers to how accurate the resultant color obtained after the painting process is. This is important because often, it is seen that many brands actually do not give the exact color as promised. Reading the reviews is going to be of great help in determining the color accuracy. 

2. Durability

Durability is an important virtue of paint. How high the durability is can be determined by features like dust, oil, grease, and corrosion-resistant. Also, check the specifications of the product to check that it is fade resistant. Some paints may even have the property to withstand harsh weather conditions. 

However, if you are using the paint in your basement, then the paint will not be exposed to any sort of rain or dew Hence, buying weather-proof paint is totally up to you. It is advisable to buy paint with just the durability you need rather than an extra durable paint as it will only increase the cost spent. 

3. Easy To Clean

Cleaning the painted surface once in a while is necessary to keep the paint fresh-looking for a long period of time. Moreover, if you spill something on the floor, you must clean it before it leaves a stain. Thus, it is vital that the paint is easy to clean. 

In fact, some paints can just be washed using soap and water. If you do want any hassle while cleaning painted basement floors, make sure that the paint you buy is simple to clean. 

4. Other Virtues 

There are many other features other than the one discussed above that should be checked—for instance, anti-slip, time-taken to completely dry, texture, and more. Be sure to check that the paint has an anti-skid property if you need it. 

Finding out how much time it takes to dry fully will help you know how long you should wait before opening it for heavy foot traffic. Texture means what kind of finish you want, glossy, matte, or low shine. 

5. Price 

Price is one of the factors we check first, irrespective of what we are buying. You can find paints which are very expensive or which cost very little. But how do we choose which one should you invest in? The answer to this is simple, list down the features you require in your paint. 

Find the brands which offer the same features. Compare their prices and performance to find the product worthy of its price and deliver a great performance. 

If you are planning to paint your basement floors then we suggest you that you should also think about painting your driveways. Don’t worry we have got you covered. You can find the Best Driveway Paint Reviews in this article. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the steps one must take before starting to paint?

A1. If you are a beginner and have little to no experience in painting, then you might be unfamiliar with certain steps that are necessary to take before applying the coat. People often think that for a good finish, we only require a good paint, but that is untrue. First, you need to make sure that the surface you are going to paint on is ready. 

The first step is to clean the surface meticulously you are painting on. Washing the floor will get rid of any dirt, and the paint will easily stick to the surface. This strong bond will result in greater dependability of the paint. Make sure that the surface is completely dried and vacuumed. 

Many paints claim that they can be painted on the old paint coating. However, still, to be on the safer side, it is advisable to scrape off the old paint for an even coating. Similarly, not every paint requires you to put a base of primer but using a primer will only improve the quality of the finish, and hence, there is no harm in using it. After carrying out the above steps, you can begin the process of painting. 

Q2. How can I make the paint non-slippery?

A2. There are numerous paints available that already have the anti-slip property. Yet, if you have purchased something that does not have this property or buying an anti-slip additive reduces the total expenditure, you have various options to choose from. 

There are commercial add-in grits, silica sand, and decorative chips, which can be added to the paint and then applied for an anti-skid finish. Other than that, you have the option of using a separate anti-slip coat above the paint.

Q3. Which is better, roller or spray gun for painting?

A3. Both these painting tools have their own positives and negatives. While using a spray gun, the paint is applied xevenly throughout, and overlapping marks are hardly visible. However, using a spray gun will require you to cover all the other surfaces like walls, windows, furniture around the painting area; otherwise, you will end with a mess. 

Rollers, on the other hand, provide more accuracy when it comes to painting. Also, you will not need to cover anything around. However, it is a more time-consuming process than a spray gun, and cleaning the rollers after the process is completed is cumbersome. 

Q4. Can you paint concrete without primer?

A4. Well No! You can’t paint concrete floors without primer. The floor should be primarily coated with primer if you find permanent stains or peeling of old paint otherwise it will give an uneven finish to your project and causes cracking of paint over time.  A primer locks the stains, helps paint to adhere to the concrete floor, and increased the durability of the final look.

Q5. Should I seal or paint my basement floors?

A5. One should paint the basement floors because apart from a dark storeroom it can be used for other purposes like making a workshop or a playroom to give it a more inviting look. The paints used on basement floors are two-part epoxy paints that adhere to even challenging floor areas for longer periods and are cost-effective as well.

Q6. Is it a good idea to paint basement floors?

A6. Yes! Of course, it is a good idea. It gives life to the boring surface and makes it attractive. Not only this, paints used in basement floors are thick and enough sticky that can make the floor moisture locked, prevent germs and bacteria to enter the house, and make the floor durable and warm.

Q7. What is the best paint for concrete patio?

A7. Patios are outside areas it is important to protect them as they are more exposed to weather and other atmospheric conditions for that epoxy-based paints are perfect. The surface should be clean and clear before applying the paint. They make a thin film over the concrete exterior which works as a protection layer for the floor.

Q8. What is the best drive-away paint?

A8. Although all epoxy-based paints give good coverage to the basement floors. It has been proven that Kilz floor coating is specifically made for wooden-concrete combined floors and touch expectations by giving fabulous look to a non-breathing surface.
In The swim patio and deck give a polished and anti-slip look to the hard surfaces and are highly immune to any atmospheric condition. Polyurea-based paints should also be considered although they need assistance. they are more resistant and durable as compared to epoxy-based paints.

Conclusion

Most people do not understand the importance of basement floor paints and avoid using them. However, these are a great product which should not be overlooked. Painting your basement floors not only enhances its beauty but also protects it from dust and corrosion-resistant. Moreover, it becomes simple to clean them. 

We hope that the information in this article on the best paint for basement floors was helpful for you. Remember to check the points mentioned in the buying guide to find the product which is best as per your requirements. Also, read the painting instructions carefully for the right results.

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