How to paint and stencil an internal concrete floor?

Hi, we are about to have a new slab poured for an extension (i.e. tear down, bump out, rebuild PROPERLY) and after nearly falling over dead when I heard the polished concrete floor quote, I have decided I would like to paint and stencil the slab instead. It will be a dining room and laundry (cupboard style). I can find plenty of articles and videos on how to go about this from America, but not Australia. We need to know what finish the concrete should leave on the slab and what paint system would be best (wanting a satin finish)... We also have dogs so it needs to be a tough paint.

I will attach some screenshots from online

of the desired outcome.

Any thoughts would be valued! Thanks!

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EricL

Hello @Jo_Lake

Thanks for sharing your question about concrete paint. We did have a discussion about stencilled flooring, but it was on a tiled surface - D.I.Y. stencil tiled flooring by @ZoeGilpin. But in your case, I would recommend having the floor finished in a flat smooth finish. It has to be a perfectly flat surface with no hint of roughness if possible. It does not need to be glossy just smooth.

Please allow me to double check with our supplier, but I believe the Dulux Concrete and Paving coating system could work with your floor and your plans with stencilling the surface. The floor will need to be properly cleaned and etched before priming. Once the primer has been applied and has cured a topcoat will be the next one to go on top. This topcoat will serve as the base for the stencil and once the stencil is finished you can then apply a matt coat to protect it.

I've filed an inquiry with the Dulux customer service. As soon as we have more information, we'll get back to you.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

MitchellMc

After confirming with our suppliers @Jo_Lake, I need to clarify that our concrete floor paint systems, including products like Dulux Concrete and Paving, are only designed and warranted for single, continuous coatings applied across the entire surface. They are not intended for stencil-style projects where multiple layers and edges are created.

With stencilling, you effectively introduce many tiny paint edges. These transition points are the weakest part of any coating system, particularly on concrete that is subject to foot traffic, moisture from a laundry, and wear from pets. Over time, these edges are far more likely to lift, chip, or delaminate, even if the slab is well-prepared and sealed. For this reason, manufacturers do not support or warranty stencil applications, as the coating is no longer acting as a single-bonded layer.

To achieve a long-lasting result, the paint would need to be specifically designed for decorative stencilling on concrete floors and also be durable enough for domestic traffic. At this stage, I am not aware of any concrete coating systems that are formulated and warranted for that type of application. You could certainly still pursue the look, but it would be considered a decorative finish rather than a durable flooring system, and you would need to accept that ongoing maintenance or touch-ups may be required over time.

If you were able to lay them yourself, tiling might fit your budget. I'd encourage you to check out the Majorca range over at our friends Beaumont Tiles.

Here's a helpful guide: How to lay floor tiles.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Jo_Lake

Thanks @MitchellMc 😊 what about putting a clear coating over the tope of the stenciling, such as an epoxy?

EricL

Hello @Jo_Lake

It's great that Mitchell has provided you with all the necessary information. I actually asked about this as well and because it does not fall under the Dulux recommended painting steps they cannot warrant or support it. I propose looking at the tiling option as this would provide you with that stencilled look you're after.

Eric

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