This Thrifty DIY For New Flooring Uses Just A Paper Bag & Glue, But Will It Last?

If you haven't jumped on the paper bag flooring trend because you're unsure how durable it is, we understand. While the fad promises a budget-friendly way to upgrade your floor with a little patience and elbow grease, nobody wants to put in the time and effort for something that won't last very long. For those who want the certainty of experience, bloggers Brian and Jami Boys are among the few who updated their fans about their brown kraft paper and glue floor four years after first installing them in 2010. In their initial video, the couple showed the step-by-step process of preparing the surface, and laying down the kraft paper using the glue mixture. Afterward, they applied five coats of water-based polyurethane over the brown-papered flooring to seal it. 

In the candid video they posted a few years later on their An Oregon Cottage page, Jami noted, "We've never considered it to be a permanent flooring option. ... It does last a long time. Enough time to save up for the floor of your dreams." Looking at it this way, it seems as if the flooring could be a worthwhile option for those with extended renovation plans. However, if you're in it for the long haul, one user on Reddit argued that the paper flooring should be durable: "You're basically decoupageing your floor. ... Bonus, it will be easy to repair even if it experiences some major damage. I doubt you'd ever notice where the repair is once, it's done."

The brown kraft paper flooring hack is essentially a decorative technique covered by polyurethane resin. So how long your floor will last is actually down to the durability of the coating, which can last 10 to 20 years if properly maintained. When the substance is applied correctly, it forms an impermeable layer on top of the substrate flooring. 

As a DIYer, you must choose between an oil-based and water-based polyurethane coating. The former is cheaper, lasts longer, and is commonly applied on wooden flooring; but on the downside, it yellows and darkens as it ages. On the other hand, the water-based alternative dries quickly and it remains the same color for the duration of its application. It's little wonder that the latter is preferred when coating DIY brown paper bag floors. 

The key to a long-lasting floor finish is to first apply the polyurethane with a lambswool applicator pad (or synthetic lambswool in the case of water-based poly) to ensure a silky-smooth finish. If you work quickly, you can avoid the edges drying and the resulting telltale overlapping marks. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the drying times before following up with the additional coats. Boost the longevity of the floors by ensuring that the polyurethane coatings are firmly bonded by sanding between surface coatings with 220-grit sandpaper. Allow your floor to dry and cure completely for the best results.

Polyurethane sealers could be the answer to many budding designers' dreams. If you treat the substrate flooring correctly, there are endless ways to use the coating so that you can have the floor you've always wanted. You can opt for a faux wood look and paint your brown paper so that it resembles reclaimed wooden planks, even going so far as to add vintage nails to authenticate the finish.

If you're feeling particularly artistic, you can try a painted floor idea or stencil your floors before applying polyurethane. Find a pretty stamp and make your mark on your floors before letting the polyurethane immortalize your artistic genius. You can also choose a marble-like staining feature on your floors to make a bold statement. With nothing more than paint and polycrylic sealer, along with an air compressor to spread the paint and a fan to speed up the drying, you can create a smooth, deeply colored marble-like finish on your floors that's cool enough to trick you into thinking it's real marble. The takeaway from polyurethane-coated floors is clear: you are only limited to your imagination. And even then, if you change your mind, you could always lay a new floor over your old one.