Can You Paint a Shower Floor?

Shower floors age and deteriorate after continuous use. While repainting your shower floor may seem tedious and infeasible at first. There is a large assortment of products and materials today that makes it practical and very affordable regardless of what kind of design, material, or flooring your shower floor has.

Painting a shower floor is an ideal cost-effective means to maintain, interior design, and decorate your bathroom. Epoxy paint is an ideal way to rejuvenate your shower that many people tend to forget. Ensure the floor is clean, get the right paint if you a good DIY, or hire a professional for the project.

Can you paint the shower flooring?

Shower flooring faces several problems such as exposure to bacteria, mold, ineffective drainage systems, high maintenance costs, etc. Repainting your shower floor might help deal with most of the issues while maintaining a clean environment within your bathroom space.

You might consider hiring a professional to handle the task for you (there are plenty of skilled technical experts available) though others might prefer to do it themselves.

Here are some of the most crucial points to consider:

What kind of paint do you use on a shower floor?

The best thing about painting a flooring surface is that you get to choose the best option that suits your tastes, needs, and preferences. Some people prefer solid colors, patterns, and different shades of lighting depending on the surface and its intended effect.

Knowing what materials make up your floor will help you choose the appropriate paint.  Some of the popular flooring surfaces include concrete, tiles, wood, etc. You can try out different paint combinations to find an ideal fit.

Epoxy paints (like FIXALL Skid Grip Anti-Slip Paint) are perfect for shower floors, bathtubs, countertops, and other surfaces in constant exposure to water. If your flooring has tiles, you can always opt for a latex-epoxy paint combination to help sort out the glazes on the tile surface.

Painting a shower floor is a cost-effective means of interior maintenance and sanitation compared to constantly replacing your flooring. Besides, it also adds a personalized feel to your area.

How to Paint a Concrete Shower Floor

Painting a concrete shower floor is inherently different compared to wood, tiles, and other surfaces. A common problem while working on the floor will relate to how you deal with excess humidity and prevent it from negatively affecting the paint quality.

A concrete floor might include freshly poured concrete that may have high quantities of dampness as it dries. For the best results, it’s always a good idea to wait until you adequately cure your concrete floor before deciding to paint.

A poorly painted concrete surface is prone to cracking, peeling, especially if your paint composition does not complement the underlying material. If you are going to paint your concrete shower floor, it’s best to have an overview of some of the basics of painting a concrete shower floor.

Here’s what you need:

• A stiff bristle push broom/ shop vacuum
• A wire brush (6” and 9”)
• A pair of protective clothing
• Recommended paint brushes
• An epoxy type floor paint
• Tape, plastic wrap, and waterproofing materials

You can also lookup additional items or visit your local dealer to have an elaborate list of all materials.

When you have all the necessary items, the next step will be to start with the actual work. Follow these steps to paint the shower floor concrete with a high-quality finish.

Steps to follow when painting your concrete shower floor

1. Remove any moisture from your floor

Dealing with moisture is an essential part of floor preparation. Start by clearing the surface and removing any dirt before conducting a moisture test. A moisture test can include placing a plastic sheet on the concrete surface and waiting for a few days to check the quantity of moisture evaporating from the concrete floor.

If you are going to paint your flooring, ensure it is entirely dry before starting. A dehumidifier can be ideal in cases where moisture content is too high.

2. Prepare the surface

It’s important to always prepare your shower floor surface before adding a layer of paint to it. The preparation process includes scraping off old paint from the platform and checking for cracks, lumps, and other indentations that may cause a patchy appearance. Ensure you take all remedial practices to deal with the floor imperfections

You can also use painter’s tape to create margins. If you work on the floor, it is easy to make unwanted paint strokes on the walls and doors. You can also use plastic sheets to safeguard large sections of a surface from spillage.

3. Paint the shower floor

Learning how to paint correctly involves practice and an understanding of different color combinations. Epoxy paints are the best choice for painting concrete shower flooring partly because they offer a combination of quality emulsion and a hardener.

In addition to color, shade, and hue, you may also need to understand how those concepts influence light and perception. For instance, Darker floor colors are ideal for large shower flooring, whereas a lighter color is best for small to medium floors. It’s good to look out for the pros and cons of epoxy before applying it on your floor. This will go a long way in ensuring you avoid some of the problems when painting your shower floor

How to Paint Shower Floor Tiles

Using shower tiles as shower flooring materials is an excellent choice due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. You can pick from different tile designs and opt for a variety of combinations of patterns and colors.

Repainting shower floor tiles are a cost-effective form of maintenance for your living space. Besides, you get to choose the floor design and match it with your tastes and preferences.

What you might need

The best thing to do is to ensure you have the necessary supplies before you begin painting. Some of the items you may need include:

• Primer
• Grit sander
• Protective clothing including. Goggles, gloves, etc.
• Painters Tape
• Plastic sheets
• Cardboard/ newspapers
• Paint

You can always look up additional items or consult with a local professional for more information on the best products for painting shower floor tiles.

Here is a step by step procedure on how to Paint your shower tile flooring:

1. Clean your Shower Floor Tiles

Shower floor tiles are in constant exposure to dirt and water. Before you repaint your floor tiles, ensure that the floor surface is clean. Dirt and dust particle build-up on the tiles may end up forming some discoloration patches if not dealt with thoroughly. Floor tiles are relatively easy to clean compared to other flooring options, so there should not be much of a problem.

Here is a video guide on how to effectively clean your tile flooring

2. Seal off surrounding edges with tape

Painters tape is ideal for defining surfaces and patterns. If you are only willing to paint the shower floor, seal covers the edges and corners with masking tape to prevent accidental brushstrokes on walls, doors, and other unwanted surfaces.

3.Get the Right Paint

Applying oil-based paint is ideal for your shower floor tiles. Even though regular paints are also an option, oil-based paint has some advantages over regular paint, such as durability, waterproofing, and a more attractive finish.

4. Paint the Tile Shower Floor

Make sure that you inspect your tile surfaces for cracks and unevenness before painting.  A primer is good for clearing cracks and creating an even surface. You can also use a sander to remove gloss and other tile finishes that may affect the quality of your painting. Paints rarely stick well on smooth surfaces (it’s best to rough up your surface first).

Choose an appropriate paint color, and apply even long strokes over the flooring surface layer by layer until you achieve your desired effect.

Best Paint for Shower Floor

Here are the three best floor paints for your shower

1. RTG Shower & Tub Non-Slip Paint

The RTG shower and tub paint are particularly well suited for your bathroom and shower floors. The product features non-slip features that can help prevent falls and injuries from wet paint during bath time.

You can choose from a wide selection of color options such as white, cream, gray, and amber. The product also features non-corrosive chemicals that play a role in environmental conservation efforts. A standard tub can cover between 80-100 square feet on application.

2. Magic Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit

The magic tub and tile refinishing kit are especially for repainting your shower floor tiles. The paint covers a substantial section of your floor, and the application method is easy and quick.

Using the Magic tub and tile involves spraying multiple coats of paint on a surface for a glossy and clean finish. It is available only in white, which may be a drawback for those who want more color options.  

3. Rust-Oleum FBA Varathane Gallon Gloss Diamond Floor Finish

Rust-Oleum has a reputation for high-quality products, and the Varathane Gallon Gloss Diamond Floor Finish is no different. The water-based product is ideal for hardwood floors and offers a smooth, clear finish on your shower and other flooring surfaces.

You should apply more than one layer if your flooring surface is subject to high traffic. Rust-Oleum products are durable and have extended longevity compared to others within their niche of application. The Rust-Oleum FBA Varathane Gloss Diamond Floor Finish dries quickly, requiring no sanding between coats.