Creating a Faux Tile Floor
Creating a Faux Tile Floor
Use this easy method to create the faux tiles shown below. The result will be a realistic, weathered look, not perfectly coated tiles.
- Start by scraping any loose paint and dirt off the floor and washing it well.
- After the surface is dry, apply a floor paint primer. For my project, I used oil-based paint and I recommend you do the same. Although there are latex floor paints available, my paint expert wouldn't give me any sort of a guarantee for use in a semi-exposed outdoor space.
- After the primer is dry, paint the floor with the base color of your tile work, that is, the color that will show between the tiles and look like grouting. For ideal results, let this base coat set for a week.
- Choose three shades of paint in the family you'd like for your tile color (terracottas, clays, greys, whatever you like). There should be a fairly large range of intensity between the lightest and the darkest.
- Cut a thick piece of cushion foam in a square that's the size of the tiles you want (9" - 12" squares works nicely).
- Lay out a green garbage bag. Pour some of the middle paint color on the plastic then add smaller amounts of the other two colors. Swirl them a bit with a paint stick. Lay the foam piece in the paint and press down firmly. Lift the foam up and press carefully onto the floor. Repeat with the same puddle of paint 2 or 3 times. Then add more paint to the garbage bag and repeat the process.
As you go, you'll have some tiles with more swirls than others, and some that are lighter and darker in color. That's good -- it gives the floor a natural look, especially as it wears.
If possible, let the "tiles" set at least another week before you walk on them. You can finish with a layer of varathane if you want, but the pictured project didn't have it and is now entering its third year (of Canadian climate) looking great.
Paradise Porch helps you transform simple outdoor spaces -- such as porches, decks, balconies & gazebos -- into enriching areas you'll love to spend time in. Check out our basic Quick Draw service and how-to guides.
