What a flake floor is
A flake (or chip) floor is a multi-layer coating system. After the concrete is ground and repaired, the installer applies a base coat and broadcasts colored vinyl flakes into it while it's wet. Once it cures, the loose flakes are scraped and swept off, and one or more clear topcoats lock everything in. The result looks like speckled stone and is easy to clean.
Why it's popular in Utah County
- The speckled pattern hides the dust, salt residue, and water spots that come with Utah winters
- The flakes add a little texture, which helps with grip when the floor is wet
- Flake blends come in many colors to match the house
- A full broadcast of flakes adds thickness and hides minor imperfections in the concrete
Choices to talk through with the installer
- Flake size and blend: smaller flakes look more uniform; larger flakes look bolder
- Full vs. partial broadcast: full broadcast covers the base coat completely and is the most common in garages
- Topcoat: a polyaspartic or polyurea topcoat is common because it resists UV yellowing and abrasion
- Texture: ask about anti-slip additives if your garage gets a lot of melting snow
- Stem walls and steps: coating the short concrete walls around the edge gives a cleaner finished look
Questions to ask before you sign
- How will you prepare the concrete, and do you diamond grind?
- What base coat and topcoat products do you use?
- How soon can we walk on it, and when can we park on it?
- What does the warranty cover, and what does it exclude?