Quartz epoxy vs flake floor: what is the difference?

A flake floor is an epoxy coating with decorative vinyl chips broadcast into it, which gives a speckled look on a smoother surface. A quartz epoxy floor uses quartz sand aggregate instead, which gives a textured stone look and more grip. Both are epoxy based, both need the same careful prep, and the right one comes down to the look and feel you want in your garage.

How each floor is made

Flake floors

A flake floor starts with a coating on the prepared concrete. While it is still wet, decorative vinyl chips are broadcast across the surface by hand. The chips are what you see. Most flake systems are then finished with a clear coat over the chips, which gives a smoother surface overall.

Quartz epoxy floors

Our system is a two part bisphenol A epoxy with quartz sand aggregate. It is self leveling. You mix one kit at a time with a drill and mixing paddle, pour, and spread it with a 22 inch squeegee. Right after pouring, you distribute the quartz aggregate evenly, then go over the area with a spiked defoaming roller to pop the air bubbles the concrete releases. The aggregate is mineral, not plastic, and it is what gives the floor its texture.

The step by step process, including mixing times and working in 100 to 150 sq ft sections, is in our installation guide.

Look and feel

This is the biggest difference, and it is a matter of taste.

• Flake reads as a speckled, multicolor pattern. Up close you see individual chips. The surface feels smoother underfoot.
• Quartz reads as a stone finish. The sand aggregate gives an even, textured surface that you can see and feel. Our indoor kit comes in Marble Grey and Desert Grey at $249 per kit, and Black at $300 per kit.

If you want a busy pattern that hides dust and looks like a showroom floor, flake is built for that. If you want a clean, industrial stone look that feels solid underfoot, quartz is built for that.

Grip underfoot

Quartz sand aggregate gives the surface texture, and texture is grip. That is the main functional reason people choose a quartz floor. Factory testing on our system lists a slip coefficient of 0.4 or higher.

Be realistic about any floor, though. Slip resistance still varies with how evenly the aggregate is spread, what is on the floor and wet conditions. Spread the aggregate evenly during the pour, and wipe up oil and spills right away.

A smoother flake floor is easy to mop, and some people prefer that feel. If you walk the garage with wet shoes, work on the floor on your knees, or roll in with wet tires, the extra texture of quartz is worth thinking about.

Side by side comparison

Feature	Flake floor	Quartz epoxy floor
Base chemistry	Epoxy based	Epoxy based (two part bisphenol A epoxy)
What goes in the coating	Decorative vinyl chips	Quartz sand aggregate
Look	Speckled, multicolor pattern	Textured stone look
Surface feel	Smoother	Textured
Grip	Less texture	More grip from the aggregate
Surface prep	Clean, fill cracks, grind, vacuum	Clean, fill cracks, grind, vacuum
Direct sunlight	Ask the maker of the system	Indoor kit not for direct sun; use the outdoor washed stone kit outside

Which one suits which garage

A quartz floor is a strong fit if

• You want a stone look instead of a speckled pattern.
• You want more grip from the surface texture.
• The garage doubles as a shop where you stand and work for hours.
• You want a self leveling system that is achievable as a do it yourself job over a weekend.

A flake floor is a strong fit if

• You like the speckled, multicolor showroom look.
• You prefer a smoother feel underfoot.
• You want a busy pattern that hides small debris between sweeps.

What is the same either way

Prep decides how any epoxy floor turns out. About 95% of epoxy failures trace back to inadequate surface prep, and that is true whether you broadcast chips or quartz. Sweep, vacuum and degrease. Fill cracks with patch compound or epoxy crack filler. Grind to a texture like 60 grit sandpaper. Vacuum every bit of dust. Our post on grinding versus acid etching covers the prep in detail, and what can go wrong with an epoxy floor covers the mistakes to avoid.

Neither floor stops a slab from moving, so fill existing cracks before you coat.

Indoor versus outdoor

Our indoor quartz kit lacks strong UV protection, and bisphenol A epoxy can amber over time in direct sunlight. Keep it in garages, shops, basements and interior concrete. Do not use it on patios, driveways, pool decks or anywhere in direct sun. For outdoor jobs we make the outdoor washed stone quartz epoxy kit at $229 per kit, in Ash Cloud, Autumn Sand, Steel Veil and Graphite Shadow. Its finish lets water pass through, and it is not a waterproofing membrane.

Planning a quartz floor

1 kit covers 100 sq ft at about one eighth inch thick. No guessing. No surprises. A 1 car garage of about 200 sq ft takes 2 kits, a 2 car garage of about 400 sq ft takes 4 kits, and a 2.5 car garage of about 500 sq ft takes 5 kits. Never stretch coverage, because a thin coat will not level properly. Our post on how many kits you need walks through measuring, and can you epoxy your own garage floor covers whether the job is right for you. You can also find local planning notes in our city guides.

We ship nationwide, and Phoenix area customers can pick up at our Queen Creek shop with no freight charge.

Quick answers

Is a quartz floor or a flake floor more slip resistant?

Quartz sand aggregate gives a more textured surface and more grip than a smoother flake floor. Factory testing on our system lists a slip coefficient of 0.4 or higher, but slip resistance still varies with how the aggregate is spread, contaminants and wet conditions.

Are flake floors and quartz floors both epoxy?

Both are epoxy based. The difference is what goes into the coating: decorative vinyl chips for flake, quartz sand aggregate for quartz.

Is a quartz floor harder to install than a flake floor?

Prep is the same for both: clean, fill cracks, grind and vacuum. Our quartz system is self leveling, so you pour, spread with a squeegee, distribute the aggregate and defoam. A typical job is a weekend.

Can I use the indoor quartz kit outside?

No. The indoor kit lacks strong UV protection and can amber in direct sun. Patios and other outdoor jobs use our outdoor washed stone quartz epoxy kit.