Epoxy Flake Floors in Bethlehem, PA

Epoxy flake floors are a common choice for Bethlehem garages, and they work well in basements and workshops too. The system is a base coat of epoxy with colored vinyl chips broadcast into it while it is still wet, then scraped and sealed under a clear topcoat. The result has a granite-like look and a slight texture. It hides dust, sand and the white film that road brine leaves behind, which is useful in a valley that averages over 33 inches of snow a season at the Allentown airport.

How a flake floor goes down

The slab is diamond ground first, the same as any coating we install. Cracks and pits are filled. We roll out a pigmented base coat, usually tinted to match the dominant chip color, and broadcast flakes into it. A full broadcast means throwing chips until the base coat is completely covered, which is called broadcasting to refusal. Once the base cures, we scrape off loose chips, vacuum, and apply one or two clear topcoats. The topcoat locks the chips in place and sets how smooth or textured the floor feels.

Full broadcast or partial

• Full broadcast: chips cover 100% of the floor. This gives the most texture, hides the most dirt and is the usual choice for garages.
• Partial broadcast: chips are scattered over a solid color, leaving the base visible between them. It has a cleaner, more modern look and less texture.
• Chip size and blend: smaller chips read as a tight speckle; larger chips give a bolder pattern. Blends of three or four colors hide the most.

Why flake suits this area

A flake floor helps in two ways. First, it hides the residue that salt and sand leave behind between cleanings, so the floor looks clean longer in January and February. Second, the chip texture adds grip when the floor is wet from melting snow. In basements, flake floors hide the dust and lint that collect in laundry and storage areas, and they make a cold gray slab look like a finished room.

Topcoat choices

The clear topcoat does most of the protecting. A polyaspartic topcoat is UV-stable, so it will not yellow where afternoon sun reaches through an open garage door, and it lets you get back on the floor faster. An epoxy topcoat costs less but can amber in sunlight. On floors that see a lot of moisture, we can add a fine aggregate to the topcoat for extra grip. The quote names the topcoat and how many coats you are getting.

Picking colors

Lighter blends brighten a basement or a garage with small windows. Darker blends hide tire marks and oil better. We bring physical chip samples to the estimate, because colors on a screen rarely match what you see on the floor under your own light. If you want stem walls or steps coated to match, we include that in the quote.

Caring for a flake floor

Sweep or dust-mop regularly, and use a soft mop with a mild cleaner. Avoid harsh acids and citrus cleaners that can dull the topcoat. In winter, squeegee meltwater out the door and rinse the floor a few times through the season. Scratches in the topcoat are easier to hide on a flake floor than on a solid color, and the topcoat can be recoated later if it wears.