Using Color Flakes for Good Effect

Flakes Can Imitate Many Natural Surfaces

In a previous article, we discussed the benefits of considering the aggregates used in your poured concrete when the plan is to finish the floor with concrete polishing. When floor renovation is the goal, however, the aggregate quality is often questionable. It’s quite the disappointment when you want to use an aggressive grind, only to find that the stones in the concrete are rather ordinary or that the aggregate used was crushed concrete or similar recycled material. That’s why when the aggregates are of unknown origin, the benefits of color flakes combined with an epoxy coating come into play.

Color Flakes of Many Sizes

The variety of possibilities available with color flakes are partially due to the fact that they are manufactured in so many different sizes. Starting with large flakes of roughly one inch in diameter you can go all the way down to tiny flakes as small as 1/32” in size. At such small sizes, you can get a look that matches a sandy beach of just about any color. With larger flakes, you have a bold design statement, especially when the flakes are brightly colored.

Color flakes can also mimic granite floors or the beauty of terrazzo floors. For designs based on granite or other such stones, a mix of 1/16” to 1/4” flakes mimics the variability of the pigments found in nature. For terrazzo style, an emphasis on slightly larger flakes works well. Color micas are an excellent option when copying natural beauty is the emphasis.

Ask to See Flake Samples

Custom flake designs are possible, both for finishes that emphasize color and attempts to mimic natural materials. Seeing the various flake sizes and colors combined together and then being able to compare helps solidify your choices and guarantees that your custom floor will be exactly what you are after. If you have a sample of natural material that you want to match, or images that show what you are after, California Custom Coatings can meet your needs. The word custom is in our name for a reason! Find out more by giving us a call or connecting via our online form today.