Why Is Kilz Not Recommended For Flooring? (Solution & Alternative)

Why Is Kilz Not Recommended For Flooring? You may have heard about Kilz primer and its versatility in home improvement projects. But is it suitable for your flooring?

Find out why this product is not recommended for flooring and what you can use instead. Get the facts you need to make the best decision for your home.

Table of Contents

What Is Kilz primer?

Kilz primer is a type of latex sealant used for covering various surfaces and preventing stains from reaching them. It is most often recommended for walls, ceilings, and exterior siding to create an even surface for painting or other finishes.

However, it is not a suitable finish, coating, nor adhesive for any type of flooring and can actually be dangerous if applied improperly.

While Kilz may work as a protectant on many surfaces indoors and out, it is not recommended for any flooring due to its lack of structural strength or stability on slippery surfaces such as those found in bathrooms or kitchens.

The sheen left after drying can also make walking or standing on such areas very uncomfortable especially in bare feet.

Kilz Primer Pro and Cons

However, when it comes to flooring, many people are unsure of whether or not Kilz primer is the right choice as it has both its pros and cons. In this article, we’ll examine why Kilz primer is not recommended for flooring, exploring both the advantages and disadvantages of using it in this context.

Kilz primer Pros

Kilz primer is a product from Masterchem Industries that is used to seal a surface before painting or staining.

Kilz is known for its powerful stain blocking capabilities, making it great for covering up stains, odors and smoke damage on walls and ceilings.

Kilz primer offers several advantages when compared to other primers and paints.

It has excellent adhesive properties, which helps ensure the paint will stay in place.

It also has excellent coverage, meaning that fewer coats of paint may be required to conceal unwanted stains or discolorations.

Kilz primer Cons

Kilz primer is designed to seal porous surfaces to prevent stains, but it is not as durable as some other primers on the market. It may provide some water resistance, but it will not protect against long-term water damage, scuffs or scratches.

If you are looking for a durable finish that will protect your floors from water damage and regular wear and tear from foot traffic, it may be best to use a more specialized type of paint or stain that is specifically made for floors.

Why Is Kilz primer Not Recommended For Flooring?

Kilz primer is not recommended for use as a floor finish because it is not designed to stand up to wear and tear that occurs on floors.

Kilz primer absorbs into the wood and rarely forms a strong enough bond to hold up over time. When used on floors, Kilz can chip, crack and become noticeably discolored after a short period of time.

If you are looking for an appropriate finish for your hardwood floors then consider using a polyurethane sealer which will provide more durability on flooring than Primers like Kilz.

KILZ Flooring Primer Alternative

Finding the right flooring primer can be difficult. It needs to be strong enough to provide a proper adhesion and bond, long-lasting and able to withstand moisture, wear and tear. Fortunately, for those of us who are looking for an alternative to traditional primers, there is now

Flooring Primer Alternative available on the market. This new product offers a range of benefits including ease of use, quick drying time and durability, making it ideal for any type of flooring project.

ZINSSER Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 Primer

Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 Primer is an all-purpose, high-performance primer for use on interior and exterior residential, commercial and industrial surfaces. Uses it to fill gaps and conceal discoloration or use it in primer under oder [between] coats to harm one or maximize coverage. Fits tough stains and seals foul odors. Primer provides a flat matte bright white finish.

Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant

Buy it now

Liquid Rubber products are made up from water-based substances and do not include chemicals or toxins. They are safe for you, your family members, and pets.

Its provide a range of water-based, volatile organic compound (VOC), and solvent-free items that are designed to ensure a flawless waterproof membrane to maintain the integrity of substrates damaged by excess water, ultraviolet rays, salt, thermal cycling, and harmful chemicals. Our products are made for commercial and industrial use.

What type of flooring should not use Kilz primer?

Kilz primer is not recommended for use on flooring due to the fact that it can be difficult to clean, especially on porous surfaces like wood and tile floors. Additionally, because Kilz primer contains solvents, using it on a floor may result in a slippery surface.

If the flooring is made of vinyl or linoleum, which are non-porous surfaces, then Kilz primer may be used without the fear of creating an unsafe environment.

However, if you’re looking for a primer for your floors that will last longer and create a smoother finish without any risk of slipping or becoming difficult to clean in the future, there are better alternatives such as oil-based primers and sealers.

Which type of floors do you plan to use Kilz primer on?

Kilz primer is not recommended for use on floors. This is because it does not contain enough of the necessary adhesion properties that are necessary for flooring applications. The film thickness of Kilz primer can also cause it to crystalize on the surface of the floor, which could lead to bubbling and other issues with flooring.

These products are specifically made for use in flooring projects and will provide you with a lasting seal against water damage, as well as increased adhesion between your substrate and coating materials.

Should Kilz primer be allowed to dry after applying it to the subfloor?

Applying Kilz primer correctly is an important step when painting a floor. Kilz primer should be rolled or brushed on to the surface of the subfloor and allowed to dry before any other kind of coating can be applied. It is recommended that you allow Kilz primer at least 24 hours to dry before proceeding with the next step in flooring preparation.

When drying, a dehumidifier or fan can help speed up the process but it’s important that you do not apply too much pressure on the drying area as this could cause air bubbles and bumps to form on your flooring after painting. Make sure you keep pets, kids, and other people away from this area while it dries. Also keep vents closed until your flooring project is complete so airborne particles don’t interfere with drying time or quality.

Does Kilz primer Have An Unpleasant Smell?

Kilz primer is not recommended for use on floors because it does not provide an adequate degree of adhesion when compared with traditional flooring primers.

Additionally, Kilz primer has an extremely strong odour that can be hard to disperse. Many people find this smell bothersome, as it is difficult to mask and can linger in the room long after the Kilz primer has been applied to the flooring surface.

While it may seem like a good option if used in a well-ventilated area, the smell from Kilz primer can be overly intrusive and uncomfortable for some people. For these reasons, it is recommended that you choose a specialized primer made specifically for flooring applications.

Can you use KILZ primer under tile?

KILZ primer is primer and sealer that works on almost any surface. It may be used on drywall, wood, stone, masonry, aluminum, plaster and other surfaces. However, it is not generally recommended for flooring because of the structure of tile floors and the fact that KILZ does not have significant vapor blocking characteristics that are needed for most tile installations.

The best option to properly seal your tile floor is a product specifically designed as a vapor barrier like RedGard or HydroBan. These products can be applied directly over concrete or plywood underlayment and prevent moisture from seeping through grout lines to absorbent materials below.

How Long Does KILZ primer Smell Last?

The strong odor of KILZ primer can linger in a room for some time, depending on proper ventilation and other factors. Typically, the odor may last up to four days after primer application.
However, it is important to note that KILZ primer is not recommended for flooring applications due to its high content of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are harmful compounds that when released into the environment, can have various health and environmental effects.

Can KILZ primer Be Used on Concrete Flooring?

KILZ is a popular brand primer that is designed to seal porous surfaces and provide an extra layer of protection against stains, but it is not recommended for use on concrete flooring.
Because KILZ contains solvents that can penetrate deep into concrete floors, it can cause the tiles attached to the concrete to age prematurely. Additionally, since KILZ primer is not designed for use on floors, it does not provide the same level of protection as a high-performance floor epoxy.

Zakynthos Neo

I am a multi-talented designer and contractor with over 10 years of experience in the field. I have a passion for creating beautiful, innovative spaces that reflect my clients’ needs and styles. My skills include architectural design, interior design, space planning, project management and construction supervision.