Epoxy Flake Floors in Ontario, CA

Epoxy flake floors are the most common finish we put in Ontario garages, and the climate is a big reason. During Santa Ana wind season, fine dust and sand come in under the door and settle on the floor. On a solid gloss color, every grain shows. A flake floor, with thousands of colored vinyl chips spread across it, hides that dust until you sweep. It also gives the surface a slight texture, which helps when the floor gets wet from a car coming in after rain or a hose rinse.

How a flake floor is built

The slab is diamond ground and repaired first. A pigmented base coat goes on, and while it is still wet we throw flakes across it by hand until no base color shows. That is called broadcasting to refusal. After the base cures, we scrape and vacuum the loose chips, which knocks down sharp edges. Then one or two clear topcoats lock the flakes in and set the final texture. More topcoat gives a smoother feel. Less topcoat leaves more grip.

Choosing chip size and blend

• Chip size: quarter-inch chips are the usual garage choice. Smaller chips give a finer, granite-like look and suit laundry rooms and interior spaces.
• Color blend: tans, grays and browns pair with the stucco and tile-roof colors common in Ontario neighborhoods. Darker blends hide tire marks. Lighter blends brighten a garage with little window light.
• Coverage: full broadcast hides the base completely. Partial broadcast shows the base color between chips and costs a little less.
• Topcoat sheen: high gloss is easiest to clean. Satin hides fine scratches better.

We bring samples to the estimate so you see them in your own garage light.

Topcoat choice and the sun

The clear topcoat is what you walk and drive on, and it takes the UV. Standard epoxy topcoats can yellow when the sun hits them through an open door for years. In Ontario's sun, we use polyaspartic or aliphatic polyurethane topcoats that stay clear. HomeGuide rates polyaspartic UV resistance as excellent and plain epoxy as poor to fair.

Where flake works beyond the garage

Flake systems also go on laundry rooms, mudrooms, covered patios, golf cart garages and side yards with a concrete pad for bikes and tools. Outdoors, we use a UV-stable system all the way through and add grit to the topcoat so it is safe barefoot or wet. Indoors, a smaller chip in a lighter blend reads more like a finished floor than a garage.

Caring for a flake floor

Sweep or use a leaf blower after windy days. Mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Clean up oil and fluid drips within a day. A rubber-backed mat at the house door keeps sand from tracking further inside.