What makes metallic different
Where flake and solid color systems are about durability and uniformity, metallic is about appearance. The pigment is worked while the resin is still fluid — feathered, blown and cut — so the finished pattern is created on site, in place, by hand. It is the closest thing in floor coatings to a one-off piece of work.
That also means the design conversation matters. We agree on a base color, accent pigments and how dramatic the movement should be before installation day.
Best applications for metallic floors
Metallic performs best in spaces that are seen more than they are abused: showrooms, retail floors, salons, offices, finished basements, home theaters and enthusiast garages where the car collection is part of the decor.
For a heavy-use service bay or warehouse, we usually steer clients toward flake or a solid color system instead — not because metallic is fragile, but because a uniform floor is easier to touch up in an industrial setting.
- Showrooms and retail spaces
- Finished basements and home theaters
- Salons, studios and offices
- Display and enthusiast garages
Surface preparation is even more critical
A metallic floor is essentially a gloss mirror. Anything wrong underneath — a shallow patch, a missed grind pass, a contaminated spot — shows through the finish. We hold metallic slabs to a tighter preparation standard, with full diamond grinding, joint treatment and a primer coat before the metallic layer.
Topcoats and protection
The metallic layer is protected with a clear topcoat chosen for the room's traffic and light exposure. In spaces with strong natural light we specify a UV-stable topcoat so the finish resists ambering over time. Adding a fine slip-resistant additive is optional and does not visibly change the pattern.
Cost and what drives it
Metallic systems start around $17 per square foot. Pricing moves with slab condition, the number of pigments and effects requested, and the topcoat specified. Every project is quoted in writing after the floor has been evaluated.