ᐅ Painting a Concrete Basement and How to Handle Edge Insulation Strips?
Created on: 25 Oct 2025 09:28
M
mk_2021
Hello everyone,
We have a basement made of precast concrete elements, with interior partition walls constructed from aerated concrete. The floor is currently untreated floating screed. Since everything is still in a basic state, we would like to improve the basement’s appearance a bit. It will be used as a technical room and storage space, with possibly a small workshop area in the future—so it’s not a living space.
Our painter recommended first priming all the exterior and interior walls, the concrete ceiling, and the floor with Caparol CapaSol RapidGrund. Then, paint the walls and ceiling with an emulsion paint. Since it’s only the basement, I’ve already purchased Alpina Original for this purpose.
For the floor, I should apply Disbon 400 paint.
My research online and here suggests that this approach sounds reasonable.
However, there are still edge insulation strips along the screed at the edges. What should I do with those? I understand that they shouldn’t simply be cut off but, in the case of tiling, they are usually trimmed after the tiles are laid. Due to the necessary door trimming and cost considerations, we want to avoid tiling. I’ve read that the gap can be sealed with Sikaflex or covered with inexpensive baseboards, although I find the baseboard option difficult to imagine with a painted floor.
So my question is: If the gap is closed, is it just hidden for aesthetic reasons? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
We have a basement made of precast concrete elements, with interior partition walls constructed from aerated concrete. The floor is currently untreated floating screed. Since everything is still in a basic state, we would like to improve the basement’s appearance a bit. It will be used as a technical room and storage space, with possibly a small workshop area in the future—so it’s not a living space.
Our painter recommended first priming all the exterior and interior walls, the concrete ceiling, and the floor with Caparol CapaSol RapidGrund. Then, paint the walls and ceiling with an emulsion paint. Since it’s only the basement, I’ve already purchased Alpina Original for this purpose.
For the floor, I should apply Disbon 400 paint.
My research online and here suggests that this approach sounds reasonable.
However, there are still edge insulation strips along the screed at the edges. What should I do with those? I understand that they shouldn’t simply be cut off but, in the case of tiling, they are usually trimmed after the tiles are laid. Due to the necessary door trimming and cost considerations, we want to avoid tiling. I’ve read that the gap can be sealed with Sikaflex or covered with inexpensive baseboards, although I find the baseboard option difficult to imagine with a painted floor.
So my question is: If the gap is closed, is it just hidden for aesthetic reasons? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
nordanney schrieb:
The great thing is that at least the surface – even if it’s the first attempt – will definitely look better than bare screed ;-)Thanks for your trust. I still need to think it over. I’m just worried that the unpleasant surprises might come up then. Painting is easier, at least, when the paint doesn’t peel off 😀We have now been strongly advised against cutting off the edge insulation strips and sealing the gap with Sikaflex. That was actually my plan to prevent any liquid from flowing under the screed. Given these conditions, I would probably just paint over it and possibly glue on cheap baseboards. Does that sound appropriate?
Grundaus schrieb:
The baseboards are not waterproof, and neither are the insulation strips. So, you can cut them off. That’s why the suggestion to seal it with Sikaflex was made 😉