What is a floorcloth? Essentially, a floorcloth is a painting you can walk on. In the 18th century (and presently) they are a utilitarian decorative floor covering. There’s more historical information in the History tab.

How durable are they? A floorcloth can last decades with proper care. They are great for high traffic areas like entrances, hallways, kitchens, dining rooms. Unlike carpets and rugs, they are impervious to spills. And if you have a dog or cat…other things. If you are placing furniture on the floorcloth, we recommend using felt furniture pads.

What kind of paint do you use? We use Benjamin Moore Moore Glo Soft Gloss exterior paints. Not artist paints. See more information about materials in the How Custom Hand Painted Floorcloths Are Made tab.

How much does a custom floorcloth cost? We charge by the square foot. The average cost is $40-$55 a square foot.

How long does a custom floorcloths take? From 2-6 weeks on average. We are generally booked 2-6 months out.

How do I commission one? Send an email to blackdogfloorcloths@gmail.com or call 757-289-2687

Can you match my paint colors? Absolutely

Can I supply a pattern? Yes

Can you create an original design? Yes

Can you reproduce an antique floorcloths? Yes

Do you refurbish or clean old floorcloths? No

How do I clean a floorcloth? Similar to a wood floor. Regular vacuuming when needed. If a liquid cleaner is required, a mild soap and damp mop or rag will suffice. You can use a soft sponge for spot cleaning using circular strokes. Avoid using a scuffing sponge and chemicals.

Can I get a specific size? Yes, we can make any size and shape. Including round or oval. And shape around stairs or architectural features.

Can I get a floorcloth for outside? Yes. A covered balcony or porch is best. We would topcoat the floorcloth with a marine grade finish. The backside as well.

Can you ship a floorcloth? Yes. We roll the floorcloth around a PVC tube, tie wrap, and bubblewrap. If shipping with a carrier, we box it with extra padding for protection. We can also deliver and install.

How do I install my floorcloth? First, make sure the floor is clean. Many historic homes will sometimes have protruding nail heads. Make sure these are counter punched. After removing the packing material you can begin to roll it off the tube. Keep it low to the floor as you do this, making sure the corners don’t curl underneath it. If they do, it’s ok. Just uncurl them and begin unrolling again. There will be some wavy areas from the floorcloth being rolled on itself. These will flatten out in 24 hours or less.

Do I need underlayment/rug pad? Not necessarily. It depends on the floor. The floorlcloth will settle to the shape of your floor. If using an underlayment, we recommend 2 mil or less. We can assist you with this as well.

How do I move a floorcloth? If you need to straighten it out, lift one side and fluff it so air gets underneath it. It will move very easily. If you are moving or want to put it in a different room, we suggest using the tube it came on or getting a similar tube to roll it up. They can be found at most home improvement stores. Do not try to fold it. Feel free to contact us for any support about this. If you are renovating, we recommend rolling it up for storage. If it is a minor renovation, then you or your contractor should cover it with plastic and 2 layers of ram board. If you do this, take pictures of the floorcloth with your contractor before it is covered to avoid any possible confusion if damaged.