Its looking like my old fir floors are so thin from previous sandings and trashed that paint is about the only option at this point is paint (while I save my $$$ for eventual floor replacement). I've seen some great pics of painted floors - solid color and patterned - and love them for vintage houses. have some questions about the various methods -

Paint with poly top coat - does it have to be water based poly over latex paint? Id prefer to use oil both for durability and because I went thru a bit of a learning curve in how to use varathane a couple years back - and achieved excellent results with it. Also the amber tone would look good with colors I have in mind. Would I have to use oil base paint?

Stain with poly top coat - instead of paint how about a semi-opaque stain - love the Cabot exterior deck floor colors but was told I should not use exterior stains indoors because of chemicals used for waterproofness. How can I duplicate the effect with interior products? (I don't like the minwax colors or any of the common off the shelf brands - and I don't think I can get the degree of opaqueness I want.)

Porch floor paint - Ive seen a lot of this on porches that just doesn't hold up all that well - any suggestions re: what product? Are there the same issues with exterior paint chemicals?

tia!