How a full-broadcast flake garage floor is installed
Prep and base coat
The slab is diamond-ground and any cracks are repaired first, then a pigmented epoxy base coat is rolled onto the concrete.
Broadcasting the flake
While the base coat is still wet, color flakes are broadcast by hand across the entire floor to the point of rejection, meaning the surface is saturated until it will not absorb any more flake. This is what makes it a full-broadcast floor rather than a light sprinkle of accent chips.
Scraping and topcoat
Once the base coat and flake have cured, the excess loose flake is scraped flat and vacuumed off the surface. A clear topcoat, often a polyaspartic topcoat for UV stability, is then applied to lock the flake in place and seal the floor.
Who a flake garage floor is for
- Garages used daily for parking where you want extra underfoot texture and grip, not just a flat color
- Anyone who wants a floor that hides dust, dirt, and minor imperfections in the concrete better than a solid epoxy color
- Households that want a specific color blend to match trim, cabinetry, or a house color scheme
- Garages that double as a workshop or gym space where a textured, slip-resistant surface is useful
Flake sizes and color blends
Flake comes in different chip sizes, and the size changes how the finished floor reads:
- Larger chips (around 1/4 inch) read bolder, with more visible individual flakes and a chunkier pattern
- Mid-size chips (around 1/8 inch) balance visible texture with a more blended, even look
- Smaller chips (around 1/16 inch) read finer and more subtle, giving a tighter, more uniform speckled finish
Color blends range from neutral grays and tans to more contrasted multi-color mixes. We bring sample boards to the estimate so you can see how a blend looks before committing.
Full broadcast vs. partial broadcast
A partial, or light, broadcast scatters flake sparingly as an accent and leaves more of the base coat color visible. A full broadcast to rejection covers the entire floor in flake, which gives more consistent texture and grip across the whole surface and better hides stains, tire marks, and everyday wear than a lightly broadcast floor.
Why a textured flake floor matters in a garage
A garage floor deals with tracked-in water, melting snow, and oil drips more than almost any other floor in the house. The texture added by a full-broadcast flake floor gives better underfoot grip in those wet conditions than a smooth solid-color epoxy floor, which matters when you're walking across the garage with your hands full.
Flake vs. a solid-color epoxy floor
A solid-color epoxy floor gives a clean, uniform look and costs less in material, but it shows dust, tire marks, and small scuffs more readily than a flake floor since there is only one color to contrast against. Flake breaks up the surface visually, which is why most garages we coat end up choosing a flake finish over a plain solid color.
Flake floors beyond the garage
The same full-broadcast flake process we use in garages also works in basements, commercial spaces, and on patio and pool deck coatings, anywhere texture and a forgiving, multi-color finish are useful.
How long a flake garage floor takes
A standard two-car garage takes two days. Day one covers grinding, crack repair, and the base coat. Day two is the flake broadcast, scraping, and the clear topcoat. We give you exact walk-on and drive-on times for your system once the topcoat is down.
What a flake garage floor costs
A standard two-car garage flake floor starts at $1,850. The final price depends on garage size, the condition of the slab, crack repair, old coating removal, and the flake blend chosen. We confirm pricing after a free on-site estimate. See the cost guide for more on what affects the total.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'broadcast to rejection' mean?
It means flake is applied across the entire wet base coat until the surface will not absorb any more, rather than scattering it lightly as an accent.
What flake size should I choose for my garage?
Larger chips give a bolder, chunkier look; smaller chips give a finer, more uniform look. We bring samples to the free estimate so you can compare in person.
Does a flake floor hide stains better than a solid color?
Yes, the broken-up texture and multiple colors in a full-broadcast flake floor hide dust, dirt, and tire marks better than a single solid color.
Is a flake garage floor slippery?
The flake texture adds grip underfoot compared to a smooth solid-color floor, which is one reason it's a common choice for garages.
Can I pick a custom flake color blend?
Yes, we offer a range of pre-mixed blends from neutral tones to more contrasted mixes, and review sample boards at the estimate.
How long does a flake garage floor take to install?
A standard two-car garage takes two days: prep and base coat on day one, flake and topcoat on day two.
Do I need to pick the flake color before the estimate?
No, we bring sample boards to the free estimate so you can compare blends and chip sizes in person before deciding.
Does flake work in a basement or just a garage?
The same full-broadcast process works in basements and commercial spaces too. See basement floor epoxy for basement-specific details like moisture testing.
Areas we serve: Richmond, Henrico, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Midlothian, Chesterfield, Mechanicsville, Ashland. All service areas