How to Paint Your Mobile Home’s Subfloor

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Painting your mobile home subfloor is a great way to update your home. Learn how to do it yourself and save money. 

Mobile home remodeling can take a great deal of time, hard work, and money. The aftereffects are definitely worth the effort, but what happens when you are short on cash and time? With some creativity and hard work, it is still possible to take a room to a higher level and accomplish greatness.

When buying a used mobile home one issue many people face is the carpet. Often the carpets are old, worn, and ugly. It may clash with the decor and furniture you already own or are purchasing. Replacing carpets is often the first step chosen in mobile home remodeling.

Removing the Carpet in a Mobile Home

The first step is to rip out the old carpet. To do so, follow these simple steps to remove the carpeting and the padding.

• Begin at a corner. If one corner is loose, that’s the best place to start. If the corners are all secured tightly, take a small knife or other sharp object and cut the piece large enough to grab.

• Rip away. While it isn’t necessarily easy work, it can be fun if you keep in mind you are getting rid of an unsightly mess. While ripping the carpet out, work from end to end, rolling the rug as you go.

• After the carpet is rolled and removed from the room, take up the padding in the same way.

• Next, remove all the tack strips from the edges. This is a lengthy and mundane process but there is no skipping it. Placing a large screwdriver under the wood and pushing up seems to work best.

• Once the strips are all removed, you must remove any and all small nails. Again, this is a monotonous task, but an important one.

The last step is sweeping up the dirt and dust remaining. Don’t panic if feel you or someone else is nasty when you find a great deal of sandy dirt. This is normal.

New Flooring Options for your Home

From this point, you have a few options:

1. Have new carpet installed by a professional or do it yourself if you are capable.
2. Have linoleum or ceramic tile laid.
3. Install laminate flooring.
4. Install and finish hardwood.

Related: 4 Popular Questions about Mobile Home Subfloors

Paint Your Mobile Home Subfloor

But what can you do if you have chosen mobile home remodeling, ripped out carpets, and have no extra cash to install new covering? Don’t panic. All is not hopeless.

While it may not be the most fashionable option, painting the subflooring is an option, and often a great one. You can use your creativity here. Pick a color that matches the décor, draw and pain designs, or do anything your heart pleases. Have some fun with it. Get adventurous!

• To paint subflooring and make it look great and not like a cheap alternative, just follow these simple steps.

• Sand the subflooring. Make sure there are no splinters sticking up and the floor is relatively smooth.

• Using a broom, sweep up all debris.

• For stubborn spots or ground in dirt, use water and a good cleaner. Before painting the floor needs to be as clean as possible.

• Begin painting. If you chose to do a design, draw it out before beginning. If your floor will be one color, dive right in. The best way to paint subflooring is with a roller sponge. Make sure all spots are filled in.

• If needed, after the paint dries apply a second coat.

• Once the floor is completely dry, apply a good polyurethane. You can choose from a variety of finishes from shiny to dull. This protects the floor from liquids and makes it easier to keep clean.

• Allow the polyurethane to dry completely.

• Stand back and admire your work.

This is a great option if the carpets need to be removed but you aren’t ready to lay down flooring. When you are ready, you can install any flooring you choose over the paint, or you can leave it as it is. The choice is yours.

Most of all, while doing mobile home remodeling, remember to have fun, be creative, and don’t stress out.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

All images and text by T.M. Todorovich