Flake Floor Systems in McAllen, TX

Flake floor systems are the most common finish we put on McAllen garages, and the reason is practical. A broadcast of colored vinyl chips breaks up the surface, so dust, sand and light stains do not jump out the way they do on a solid gray floor. In a dry, windy part of Texas where fine dust blows in under every door, that matters. The chips also give the floor texture, which helps when it is wet.

How a flake floor is built

A flake system has three main layers. First comes a base coat rolled over ground, repaired concrete. While that coat is still wet, chips are thrown across the floor by hand. In a full broadcast, chips are added until the base coat cannot take any more, which covers the concrete completely. After the base cures, loose chips are scraped and vacuumed off. Last comes one or two clear topcoats that lock the chips in place and give the floor its final texture.

Full or partial broadcast

A full broadcast hides the concrete entirely and gives the strongest texture. A partial broadcast scatters fewer chips over a colored base, so the base color shows between them. It costs less in chips and looks cleaner, but it hides less dust. Most garage owners pick full broadcast. Partial broadcast works well in laundry rooms, covered patios and spaces that see light use.

Picking colors for a hot climate

Chips come in many blends, from grays and tans to mixes with black, white and accent colors. In McAllen, lighter blends make sense for a garage that faces the sun because they stay cooler and show less dust. Darker blends hide tire marks better. We bring physical samples so you can see the blends against your own walls and in your own light.

The topcoat makes the difference outdoors and near the door

The clear coat over the chips takes all the wear. Standard epoxy clear coats can amber in sunlight, and HomeGuide rates epoxy's UV resistance as poor to fair. On any flake floor that sees daylight, we use a UV-stable topcoat such as polyaspartic, which HomeGuide rates excellent for UV. That keeps the chip colors true near the door and on porches.

Where flake floors work well

• Attached and detached garages
• Laundry rooms and mudrooms on slab
• Covered patios and back porches
• Workshops and home gyms
• Small shops and storage rooms
• Dealerships and service areas that need a durable, easy-clean floor

What a flake floor will not hide

Chips hide dust and small marks. They do not hide a crack that keeps moving or a slab that has heaved. Clay soils along the lower Rio Grande crack as they dry, according to USDA soil descriptions, and slabs on them can crack too. We repair stable cracks before the base coat. Cracks with an offset get a frank conversation at the estimate.