Selecting a new floor is a big choice. You need something that looks good, will last a long time and suits your lifestyle. Epoxy floors are a great choice but before you know it, you’ll see there is not just one “epoxy.” There are many different types, each with its own design and intended use.
I want to explain these differences so you can choose the best flooring option. This article will guide you through the primary types of epoxy flooring. Together we’ll take a look at their style, strengths and best uses. We want to empower you to select a floor that you’ll love for a lifetime.
Why the Type of Epoxy Matters
Think of epoxy like paint. You would not use the same shiny paint for a car as you would on your living room wall. Epoxy works on the same principle. The right system, though, depends entirely on how the room is used, what your aesthetic objectives are and how much of a budget you have.
Some are designed for heavy-duty banging-around in a warehouse. Others are created to be a work of art in a high end home. Choose wrong, and you will have disappointed day after day for years to come, a floor that has issues such as buckling and cracking or is simply one that doesn’t work with the allure of your home. Let’s break down your options.
The Different Types of Epoxy Flooring Systems
The following include the four common epoxy flooring systems you might come across. All have the perfect combination of form and function.
Flake (or Chip) Epoxy Flooring
This is the traditional, work-horse option used by home owners and businesses alike, often for garages.
What It Is:
A flake system consists of a base layer of epoxy, with colored vinyl flakes — or “chips” — broadcasted (or thrown) into the wet resin. A final transparent topcoat locks everything in place, in a brittle, textured state.
Best For:
- Residential Garages
- Workshops & Basements
- Commercial Showrooms
- Retail Spaces Requiring Slip Resistance
Pros:
- Very Resilient: The flakes and the topcoat form a durable layer which is tough enough to resist impacts, machine traffic, chemicals, etc.
- Conceals Imperfection: Multi colored flakes polymer hides flaws and imperfections in the base coat.
- Non-Skid: The texture that the paint flakes add to the surface of your floor creates a natural slip resistance, which makes it safer than a slick, perfectly smooth floor when wet.
- Custom: Flakes come in virtually any color and size, for infinite custom looks.
Cons:
- Can Look Busy: The flake pattern may not be for everyone. Others prefer a sleeker, less cluttered look.
Metallic Epoxy Flooring
If you are looking for a truly unique work of art onyour floor then metallic epoxy is the way to go.
What It Is:
Metallic epoxy is made by blending unique metallic pigments with clear epoxy resin. As it’s being used, the pigments spin and shift to form a complex, three-dimensional pattern that has the same pearly liquid effect. None of the metallic floors are ever going to be the same.
Best For:
- Home Interiors (Basements, Kitchens, Man Caves)
- High-End Boutiques & Salons
- Restaurants & Bars
- Corporate Lobbies & Showrooms
Pros:
- Stunning Aesthetics: It has that “wow” charm that no other flooring can match.
- Seamless & Luxury: Leaves a smooth, high gloss finish that looks completely luxurious.
- Extremely Individual: Random designs ensure your floor will be completely individual.
Cons:
- Expensive: It is a high end product, and it usually has a higher price point of the other epoxy systems.
- Can Show Scratches: Just like with a high-gloss car, deep scratches are more obvious on a perfectly smooth metal surface.
Solid Color Epoxy Flooring
This option is the workhorse, neat and functional.
What It Is +
A solid color system, just like it sounds, is nominal one seamless epoxy or marbled epoxy color as an applied. It’s a smooth, seamless surface that is easy to clean. It is often topcoated with a urethane for additional durability, as well as UV protection.
Best For:
- In Commercial Kitchens & Food Production Facilities
- Warehouses & Industrial Facilities
- Healthcare Clinics & Laboratories
- Garages with a preference for a neat, clean appearance
Pros:
- Easy to Clean: they offer a non-porous, seamless surface that will not harbor dirt and bacteria.
- Chemical Resistant: Great for any work with spills like oils, solvents or cleaning agents.
- Lightens Up Spaces: A solid light floor can reflect a good deal of light and really brighten up the darkest warehouse or garage.
Cons:
- Reveals Imperfections: Because it’s a flat surface, imperfections are more evident in concrete that has cracked.
- Can Be Dull: It’s merely a functional option and won’t have the decorating wow factor that flake or metallics do.
Quartz Epoxy Flooring
This is the expert choice for environments where maximum durability, safety and ease of maintenance is required.
What It Is:
Colored quartz with a decorative finish of colored quartz granules or flakes in an epoxy, usually coated with a clear, or “top” coat. This results in a durable, textured, pleasing floor that is like terrazzo.
Best For:
- Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities
- Schools & Public Buildings
- Locker Rooms & Pool Decks
- High traffic areas/foot or wheeled parties
Pros:
- Durable: Quartz is one of the toughest minerals, so this system does not wear easily and is highly resistant to abrasive materials.
- Great Traction: Its surface texture gives you great traction even when wet, allowing it to be one of the most reliable safety options.
- Extremely decorative: Colored quartz can be mixed to create striking, custom, and multicolored floors.
Cons:
- Highest Cost: This is always the most expensive epoxy flooring system. Not only does the material cost more, but the installation is complex and requires more specialized expertise.
- Aggressive Texture: The high slip-resistance can feel rougher on your feet.
How to Choose the Right Epoxy Floor for You?
Now that you know the types, how do you choose between them? Your best bet is to ask yourself these three simple questions:
- The room’s primary function. If it is a garage and you want it to be resistant to oil and tire marks, for example, I’d suggest Flake. If it’s a living room, where you want your floors to wow guests, probably Metallic Epoxy. And if it’s a commercial kitchen, where you need low-porosity and protective floorings, I would suggest Solid Color.
- Your aesthetic style: do you want the classic, rugged look of flakes, the modern art of metallic, or a clean, industrial feel from a solid color?
- Your budget: Flake and solid color systems are usually the most budget-friendly. On the other side of the spectrum, treatments like metallic or quartz are likely to be your premium investments.
Most Important Step: Professional Installation
Finally, regardless of the type you choose, the most critical factor for a successful, longlasting outcome is professional installation. A beautiful epoxy floor can be ruined by poor preparation. A team of real professionals, including our own, know that success is 90% preparation. We check, grind, clean, and test the concrete until we are sure we have a perfect, lasting bond.
Ready to find the right epoxy floor for your Nashville home or business? Contact us for a free consultation authorised consult. We’ll provide you a free consultation to discuss your options and recommend a type that is right for you.