Once homeowners decide on a flake floor, the next question is almost always the fun one: what color? There are a lot of blends to choose from, and it’s hard to picture a finished floor from a tiny sample chip.
This guide covers what actually changes the look of a flake floor, and how to choose a blend you’ll still like years from now. We install flake systems for homeowners in Englewood, Venice, Port Charlotte, North Port, and the surrounding area.
A Garage Done in the CreekBed Blend
What Is a Flake Floor?
A flake floor is a professional coating system where decorative vinyl flakes are broadcast into a wet base coat, then sealed under a clear topcoat. The flakes give the floor its color, texture, and depth. Every blend is a mix of several flake colors, so no two look exactly alike.
The Three Things That Change How a Floor Looks
1. Flake color and blend
A blend is a mix of colors. Some are subtle and tone-on-tone, like grays or tans. Others mix darker and lighter flakes for a more speckled look. Blends with several contrasting colors tend to look busier up close and softer from a distance.
A Garage Done in the Shoreline Blend
2. Flake size
Flakes come in different sizes. Smaller flakes give a finer, more uniform look. Larger flakes give a bolder, chunkier look with more visible texture. Our standard floor uses ¼ inch flakes, in most cases this is the size that is highly recommended and the industry standard. If using a smaller flake, or a hybrid, which can have multiple different sizes in the flake, it is recommended that additional steps may be taken such as a double broadcast. Diamond Grinding must be done very well to hide all imperfections with smaller flake as it shows all imperfections of the concrete. The smaller flakes can also sink into the basecoat more and sometimes require a second broadcast to help blend and create a uniform finish.
A Patio Done in a Hybrid Blend
3. How much flake is applied
A full broadcast covers the floor completely, so you see flake edge to edge. A lighter broadcast lets more of the base coat show through. We always recommend a full flake because it hides the basecoat helping UV Stability, creates a uniform finish on the floor, and provides more grit to the floor decreasing the chance of any slipping.
How to Choose a Color
Think about what you want to hide. Busy, multi-color blends are better at camouflaging dirt, dust, and small marks between cleanings. Solid color or very light floors show more.
Match the space, not just the trend. Look at your cabinets, garage door, and the color of your walls. A floor that complements them will feel intentional. Take a photo of your space when you compare options.
Garage Floor in Gravel Blend
Consider weather on outdoor surfaces. For a lanai or driveway in direct sun, darker colors will usually feel slightly warmer underfoot than lighter ones, But going too light on the color can show more dirt spots. A nice middle ground for color, like Greys or Tans help hide dirt and keep cool underfoot
Think about light. A lighter floor can make a dim garage feel brighter. A darker floor looks dramatic but can feel heavier in a small space.
A Patio done in Tidal Wave
Pick for the long term. Very bold colors are fun, but a classic blend rarely goes out of style. If you plan to sell in a few years, a neutral blend is the safer choice. Remember these coatings are designed to last for 15 or more years with proper care, so make sure the color you choose fits the space well.
Popular Blends We Install
Gravel: a light gray mix that hides dirt well and pairs with almost any garage door
Shoreline: a tan blend, great for matching a tan house to the floor without over doing the color
Cabin Fever: a mix with tan and gray, if you aren’t sure if you are going to change the paint on your house this is the blend for you
Creekbed: a blend that matches anything and everything, starting to get on the darker side but light enough
Tidal Wave: a gray blend with light blue tones, perfect for a coastal theme
Why Colors Look Different in Person
A sample chip is small and viewed under showroom light. Your actual floor is larger, sits under your garage lighting or Florida sun, and is covered in a glossy clear coat that adds depth. Colors often look richer on the finished floor than on a chip.
For that reason, we recommend looking at samples in the space itself and viewing photos of completed floors, also keep in mind that photos can sometimes slightly alter how light or dark some flakes appear.
A Front Entryway Done in Cabin Fever
Questions to Ask Before You Choose
Can I see photos of this blend on a finished floor, not just a sample?
How does this color hold up to dirt and tire marks?
Will it look different indoors versus outdoors?
Ready to Pick Your Floor?
If you’re in Englewood, Venice, Port Charlotte, North Port, Wellen Park, Nokomis, or Rotonda West, we’d love to help you find the right blend. Every project starts with a free on-site estimate.
Fuller Concrete Coatings, Englewood, FL, (941) 303-3671