Searches for painted floor tiles were up 1,276 percent on Pinterest in 2018, so plenty of people are interested in the option, and a plethora of DIY guides to painting tile floors are floating around online. But while cleaning floor tile grout is an easy and effective way to improve the look of a space, painting tiles floors can quickly go wrong.
Drawbacks to Painting Tile Floors
Peeling and Bubbling Paint
“Because tiled flooring is commonly found in high-traffic areas, such as the bathroom or kitchen, there is a risk the paint will peel or bubble up from being frequently scratched or exposed to moisture, regardless of the amount of paint layers applied,” says Hunter Macfarlane, project expert at Lowe’s. The process can be easy, and the immediate results might look great—but there’s a good chance they won’t last.
Adherence Issues
Ben and Erin Napier, the home improvement duo behind HGTV’s Home Town, also expressed doubts regarding the trend. “I don’t know how it would adhere to a porcelain tile,” Ben says. “I don’t know.” “I think somebody did it and thought, ‘This is cool, I’m going to tell everybody this is cool,’” Erin says. “I could change my mind later, but right now, I’m not on board with it. I’m not sure about it. I mean, if we’re talking about a back porch, sunroom, where you can paint it a fun color, maybe.” (Ben says, “No, don’t,” to that.)
Maintenance and Health Concerns
So, technically, you can paint floor tiles in the literal sense—but the results won’t last as long as you want them to, and there is a chance painting tile floors can actually cause maintenance issues. (Chipping and peeling paint can even lead to some health concerns, particularly if children or pets are in the home.)
Floor Painting Alternatives
The Bottom Line
If you’re really attached to the idea of painting tile floors, go about the project carefully. “To achieve the best results, I recommend working with professional painters that are specialized and equipped to properly paint ceramic tiled floors and walls, and leave the area unused for several days to allow the paint to dry once the project is completed,” Macfarlane says. Refinish tiles, even give wall or backsplash tile a pretty painted pattern, but don’t paint the entirety of your tile floors—no matter how good it looks online.
