Williamstown EpoxyWhat Are Epoxy Vinyl Flakes?
Vinyl flakes (also called colour flakes or chip flakes) are decorative acrylic chips that are broadcast into the wet base coat epoxy during installation. Once the epoxy cures, the flakes are permanently embedded — they will never come loose, fade, or separate from the surface.
The flakes serve two purposes: aesthetic (creating colour, depth, and pattern) and functional (adding texture that improves slip resistance). The size of the flake affects both of these outcomes significantly.
The Four Flake Size Options
Micro Flakes (1mm)
Micro flakes create a fine, almost sandy texture with a subtle speckled appearance. The finish looks more refined and almost seamless from a distance, similar to a natural stone effect.
- Appearance: Subtle, fine-grained, elegant
- Slip resistance: Moderate (fine texture still creates grip)
- Easiest to clean: Yes — smoother texture means less surface relief for dirt to catch
- Best for: Showrooms, laundry rooms, retail, commercial interiors where a refined look is priority
Small Flakes (3mm) — Most Popular
Small flakes are the most popular choice for Williamstown residential garages. They create a classic granite-like appearance that looks professional without being overwhelming. The texture provides excellent grip without being rough underfoot.
- Appearance: Classic "granite" or terrazzo-style speckle
- Slip resistance: Good — suitable for standard garage use
- Cleaning ease: Very good — easy to sweep and mop
- Best for: Residential garages, workshops, domestic spaces
Medium Flakes (6mm)
Medium flakes create a bold, high-contrast pattern with visible individual chips. The larger surface texture provides more grip — making this a popular choice for areas with frequent water or chemical exposure.
- Appearance: Bold, high-contrast, decorative
- Slip resistance: Excellent — ideal for wet areas or ramps
- Cleaning ease: Good — slightly more surface relief but still easily maintained
- Best for: Pool areas, car wash bays, commercial workshops, wet garages
Large Flakes (12mm+)
Large flakes make a strong visual statement and are often used for feature areas or where a very distinctive look is desired. The pronounced texture provides the highest slip resistance of any chip size.
- Appearance: Bold, statement-making, very visible pattern
- Slip resistance: Maximum — most aggressive grip
- Cleaning ease: More surface relief — requires slightly more attention with a mop or scrubber
- Best for: Feature garage floors, commercial ramps, pool decks, industrial areas
| Flake Size | Look | Slip Rating | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro (1mm) | Fine, refined | Moderate | Showrooms, commercial |
| Small (3mm) | Classic granite | Good | Residential garage ✓ |
| Medium (6mm) | Bold, decorative | Excellent | Wet areas, ramps |
| Large (12mm+) | Statement | Maximum | Commercial, pool decks |
Full Broadcast vs. Partial Broadcast
Beyond size, the broadcast density also affects your floor's appearance:
Full Broadcast (100% Coverage)
Flakes are broadcast until the entire epoxy base coat is covered and no bare epoxy is visible. The result is a completely uniform, pattern-driven floor where the colour of the flakes defines the look. This is the most durable approach — the topcoat encapsulates the flakes completely.
Partial Broadcast (60–80% Coverage)
Flakes are distributed more sparingly, leaving some of the base coat colour visible between the chips. This creates a more nuanced look where both the base colour and flakes contribute to the overall appearance. Slightly less durable in heavy-traffic zones but offers more design flexibility.
Our recommendation: For Williamstown residential garages, we recommend 3mm small flakes with full broadcast. It looks professional, provides reliable grip for wet conditions, and is effortless to maintain with a weekly mop. Mix colours if you want something more unique — we offer 100+ colour combinations.
Flake Colours: What's Available?
We stock over 100 colour combinations in various size options. Popular choices for Williamstown homes include:
- Charcoal/White/Grey blend — the most popular; clean, modern, hides dirt well
- Tan/Beige/Brown blend — warm, natural feel; complements light-coloured homes
- Blue/White/Grey — coastal feel, popular in Williamstown beachside homes
- White/Silver blend — bright showroom look; premium residential and commercial
- Custom blends — we can mix custom colour combinations on request
We bring physical samples to every consultation so you can see the actual colours in your space before committing.
Does Flake Size Affect the Price?
Flake size itself has minimal impact on the installed price — the cost difference between a 3mm and 6mm system is negligible. The broadcast density and coverage percentage have a slightly larger effect on materials cost. For most residential projects, flake size selection does not meaningfully change your quote.