Decorative Flake Garage Floors
A flake garage floor takes a tough epoxy base and adds coloured vinyl flakes to give a speckled hard-wearing finish that looks like natural stone. As well as looking smart it hides marks, adds grip and stands up to everything a busy garage throws at it. It is the most popular decorative upgrade for home garages and workshops.
What is a flake garage floor?
A flake garage floor is an epoxy coating dressed with coloured vinyl chips, or flakes, that are scattered into a wet base coat and then sealed under a clear topcoat. The flakes build a multi-tone speckled finish and add a subtle texture to the surface. The result is a thicker more durable and better-looking floor than plain epoxy alone.
It is the decorative option in our garage flooring range and shares the same tough base as our epoxy garage floor coatings.
What does a flake floor look like and what colours are there?
Flake blends are mixed to taste, from subtle grey and black stone effects to bolder blues, reds and metallics. Because the finish is speckled rather than a single flat colour it disguises dust, tyre marks and the odd scuff far better than plain epoxy, which keeps it looking clean between washes. The flake size and density can be dialled up or down to change how busy the finish looks. A specialist contractor can show sample blends before the floor goes down.
Is a flake floor better than plain epoxy?
They share the same epoxy base, so both are tough, but flake adds three things: a decorative finish, extra thickness from the flake and topcoat and a naturally textured surface that grips better underfoot. Plain epoxy gives a cleaner minimal look and is a little simpler to lay. For most home garages the flake finish wins on looks and on hiding wear, which is why it is the more popular choice. Our epoxy garage floor page covers the plain option.
Is a flake garage floor slip-resistant?
Yes. The flakes leave a slightly textured surface that gives more grip than a smooth gloss coat and where extra traction is wanted a fine anti-slip additive can be included in the topcoat. That makes flake a sensible choice for a garage that doubles as a gym or workshop, or anywhere that gets wet from a car coming in out of the rain. The grip level can be tuned to suit how the space is used.
How is a flake floor installed and maintained?
As with any epoxy floor the slab is mechanically ground and repaired first, then the coloured base coat is applied, the flakes are broadcast into it and once cured the excess is scraped back and a clear topcoat is laid over the top to lock everything in. Preparation is what makes it last, so it is never rushed. Day to day the floor just needs a sweep and a mop and the sealed textured surface keeps its look for years.
Key takeaways
- Flake floors add coloured vinyl chips to a tough epoxy base.
- The speckled finish hides dust, tyre marks and scuffs.
- Blends run from subtle stone effects to bold colours and metallics.
- The texture adds grip and anti-slip additive can be included.
- Preparation and a clear topcoat are what make the finish last.
Why choose Surface Specialists?
Surface Specialists is a network of vetted specialist contractors with over twenty years of combined industry experience across resin and epoxy flooring. We are your starting point: tell us about your garage and we match your project to the right contractor in our network. The contractor visits to survey the floor, provides the written quotation and installs the coating, so the work is done by an installer who does this every week.Areas we cover
We are based in the North West and cover Manchester, Liverpool, Wirral, Cheshire and the surrounding areas. See the full list on our areas we cover page or contact us to check we cover your postcode.Get a quote
Tell us about your garage and we will arrange a free site survey. A specialist contractor from our network then provides a written quotation, typically within 48 hours. There is no obligation. Contact us to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a flake garage floor take to install?
Most single garages are finished over a couple of days. The slab is ground and the base coat is laid with the flake broadcast into it, then the excess is scraped back and the clear topcoat goes on the following day. The floor needs to cure before it takes the car, which is longer for a standard epoxy than for a fast-cure system.
Is a flake floor more slip-resistant than plain epoxy?
Yes. The flakes leave a textured surface that grips better than a smooth gloss coat and a fine anti-slip additive can be added to the topcoat for more traction.
Can I choose the colours?
Yes. Flake blends are mixed to suit you, from subtle stone effects to bold colours and metallics and a contractor can show sample blends before the floor is laid.
Is flake more durable than plain epoxy?
They share the same epoxy base, but the flake and clear topcoat add thickness and a finish that hides wear, so a flake floor tends to look better for longer.
How is a flake garage floor maintained?
Just sweep and mop it. The sealed textured surface resists dust and stains and keeps its look for years with simple cleaning.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in the North West and cover Manchester, Liverpool, Wirral, Cheshire and the surrounding areas. Contact us to check we cover your postcode.