Flake, metallic, or quartz: which finish fits your floor
The three decorative systems side by side: how they look, how they wear, where each one belongs, and how to choose between them without second-guessing.
Published
Three decorative systems, three different personalities. They all sit on the same ground concrete and under a similar topcoat. The choice is about how the floor looks and how it lives.
Flake
Vinyl chips broadcast into the base coat until the floor is fully covered, then scraped smooth and sealed. The speckled finish looks like terrazzo and does two useful things: it hides dust and wear, and it adds grip. It comes in dozens of blends, from quiet grays to bold mixes.
Choose flake when: it is a garage, a workshop, a patio, a pool deck, or any floor that gets used hard and cleaned occasionally. This is the default for a reason.
Metallic
Metallic pigments mixed into clear epoxy, poured, and worked by hand to create veining and movement. Marble, lava, ocean. Under a gloss topcoat it has real depth, and no two floors come out the same.
Choose metallic when: the floor is the showpiece. Show garages, basements, salons, studios, living areas over concrete. It is just as durable as flake under the same topcoat, but it shows dust and footprints more, so it suits a space you keep clean.
Quartz
Colored quartz sand broadcast into epoxy, usually twice, for the thickest and most textured floor of the three. It is the standard for commercial wet areas because the grip is excellent and the build takes carts and chemicals.
Choose quartz when: it is a restroom, a commercial kitchen, a locker room, a wash bay, or a veterinary floor. Anywhere water meets traffic.
Side by side
- Hides dirt: flake best, quartz good, metallic least.
- Grip: quartz most, flake good, metallic smooth (texture can be added).
- Look: flake classic, metallic dramatic, quartz clean and commercial.
- Where: flake for garages and outdoor living, metallic for showpieces, quartz for wet commercial.
How to decide without second-guessing
Answer two questions honestly. What happens on this floor, and how clean will it actually stay? Then look at real samples on your own concrete in your own light. Screens lie about color. We bring the samples.
By the crew at By His Grace Epoxy Flooring, Evans, GA. Questions? (706) 373-1530.