Floors take up a large portion of a room’s visual space. In many cases, changing a floor’s color significantly alters a space’s overall feel, even with the same overhead lighting. This is true of any space, but especially in working environments that have chosen epoxy-coated concrete.
Epoxy Colors and Light
The color and finish of an epoxy floor determines how light moves around a room. Colors can either add more light to a room or absorb more light.
- Light colors bounce more light back into a room.
- Dark colors absorb more of the light.
You can observe this difference pretty quickly in a large space. For example, a light gray epoxy floor under LED fixtures tends to brighten the room because some of that light reflects back upward. Change that gray to black, and the room becomes instantly darker.
In general:
- White reflects the most light but also shows dirt easily.
- Light gray brightens a space without looking as stark as white.
- Beige and tan reflect light well and look warmer.
- Charcoal, dark blue, black, and deep brown absorb more light.
That doesn’t mean dark floors are a bad choice. Sometimes they are a perfect choice for the space they are used in. Here are some examples:
- A warehouse that receives minimal daylight and has multiple levels of shelving would likely benefit from a lighter-colored floor.
- An auto shop with adequate overhead lighting may be able to use a wider range of color options.
- A showroom may be able to use darker colors if appearance matters more than the extra light they can reflect.
A measure known as Light Reflectance Value (LRV) measures a color’s ability to reflect light. The higher the number associated with a color, the more it reflects light. While most business owners will not spend time studying LRV charts before selecting a floor color, they will still benefit from understanding how colors reflect light. Essentially, the principle states that lighter colors reflect more light.
Does Gloss Make a Difference?
Gloss does make a difference, but not always in the way you expect. A glossy finish causes overhead lighting to reflect off the surface, creating a visible reflection. When you walk into a newly applied shiny garage floor, you will see your overhead fixtures reflected in the floor. This reflective quality creates a polished look that can enhance a room’s brightness and perceived cleanliness. This application can be beneficial for customer traffic areas such as:
- Auto dealerships
- Showrooms
- Retail spaces
- Reception areas
- Customer-facing service bays
However, gloss alone isn’t the whole picture. Many commercial applications require a textured finish to prevent slipping. Because a textured finish reduces reflection and creates a non-glassy appearance, you may need to sacrifice some shine for better slip resistance.
Depending on the risk of slippage versus shine, you may need to compromise. A high-gloss finish may be acceptable in certain areas of a building, while a safer alternative (in terms of slip resistance) may be needed elsewhere in the same building.
What Colors Hide Dirt?
We’ve discussed how color reflects light, but what about colors that hide dirt? This is where many individuals mistakenly assume that the darkest available floor color will conceal dirt.
Once installed, people find that black or charcoal-colored floors reveal pale dust/sawdust/concrete powder/foot prints/ dried water spots. Conversely, very light floors present an entirely different problem. Very pale grey or white floors immediately expose tire marks, oil drips, dark scuff marks, and tracked-in dirt.
As a result, a mid-tone grey works extremely well in commercial settings. Mid-gray provides enough coverage for ordinary dust and wear without making the space feel overly dim. Mid-grey also complements many safety colors, such as yellow, red, blue, and white, used in some commercial areas.
Generally speaking:
- Mid-grey conceals ordinary dust/wear/etc.
- Tan/Beige conceals heavier soils/sands/lighter earth-toned debris
- Dark grey conceals heavy stains but possibly reveals pale dust
- White appears bright/clean when spotless, yet exposes marks rapidly
- Multi-color flake blends hide minor dirt/scuffs until cleaning
Ultimately, the ideal color(s) depend mainly on the debris you encounter daily on the floor.
Flake Floors Hide More
Epoxy coatings that use various flakes help break up surfaces visually. Instead of one continuous expanse of gray, you see a mix of grays that may include white and black. This visual distraction helps camouflage tiny scuffs, dust, and debris between cleanings.
Flakes in your epoxy system don’t improve cleanliness; they just keep you from seeing dirt and imperfections.
Decorative flake systems work well in:
- Garages
- Service bays
- Workshops
- Utility rooms
- Maintenance areas
- High-traffic commercial spaces
While a solid-color floor gives you a cleaner, more uniform appearance, a flake floor tends to look more forgiving.
So, Which Color is Best?
There isn’t one single answer. Before choosing an epoxy color or finish, think about:
- How much natural light enters the space
- The type and amount of overhead lighting
- The kind of dirt or debris the floor sees
- Whether customers regularly see the area
- Forklift and equipment traffic
- Safety markings and floor striping
- Exposure to water, grease, oil, or chemicals
- How often the floor gets cleaned
These factors matter more than picking a favorite shade.
California Custom Coatings works with businesses throughout Sacramento and Northern California to design epoxy flooring systems around real working conditions. Our experienced team can help you choose a color, texture, and finish that fits your lighting, traffic, cleaning needs, and day-to-day use.
If you’re planning a new commercial or industrial floor, contact California Custom Coatings and let us help you find the best option for your specific space.
