Quartz or Flake Finishes: Which Polyaspartic Floor Design Is Right for You?
So you’ve decided to upgrade your garage floor or patio with a polyaspartic coating – congratulations! But now comes the fun part: picking a finish. Two popular choices are quartz and flake. Both pair beautifully with polyaspartic for UV stability, quick cure times, and enhanced durability – but which one is right for your East Texas home: quartz or flake?
Let’s break it down in a Q&A style to help you decide which finish best suits your lifestyle, design tastes, and budget.
Q1: What’s the Main Difference Between Quartz and Flake?
Short Answer: Texture, appearance, and typical usage.
Longer Explanation:
- Quartz uses small, granule-like particles that provide a stone-like, often adds more traction to the surface. Many East Texas homeowners love it for outdoor areas like patios or pool decks because it can handle frequent moisture and foot traffic with ease.
- Flake (sometimes called vinyl chips) comes in varied shapes and color blends, delivering a speckled, modern look. It’s especially common in garages, workshops, or even commercial showrooms. Flake finishes tend to be a bit smoother, although they still add enough texture to help prevent slips.
This picture is and example of quartz.
This picture is an example of flake.
Pro Tip: Both finishes add slip resistance, but quartz can be more aggressively textured, which is helpful in really wet conditions – like around a pool or heavily used outdoor space.
Q2: Does One Last Longer Than the Other?
Answer: Both can last for years with proper installation, but the durability often depends more on the polyaspartic topcoat and quality prep than the actual finish type.
Detail:
- Polyaspartic itself is extremely UV-stable, resisting yellowing far better than traditional epoxy.
- Quartz or flake broadcasts lock into the base coat, and then a clear polyaspartic topcoat seals everything in. As long as your installer does thorough diamond grinding and crack repair, either option can handle East Texas weather.
Q3: Which One Looks Better: Quartz or Flake?
Answer: Purely subjective – but here are some style guidelines:
- Quartz provides a more “natural stone” vibe, often in earthy color blends.
- Flake finishes can range from subtle neutrals to bold, high-contrast patterns.
- Both can complement your home’s exterior or interior color scheme, so it depends on whether you want a rock-like texture or a confetti-speckled pattern.
Visual Note: If you’re trying to match a certain architectural style – like rustic stone for a patio – quartz is a favorite. For modern or high-contrast looks, flake might be the winner.
Q4: Where Does Each Shine?
- Quartz
- Best for patios, pool decks, outdoor living spaces.
- Highly slip-resistant, ideal for areas that often get wet or muddy.
- Stands up to intense sun and heavy foot traffic, typical in East Texas summers.
- Flake
- Common in garages, showrooms, workshops.
- Great for hiding dust, dirt, or minor scratches.
- Offers diverse color blends, from subdued grays to vibrant combos that reflect your personality.
Q5: How About Maintenance?
- Polyaspartic floors in general require minimal effort: a quick sweep or light wash keeps them pristine.
- Quartz might trap fine dust in its deeper texture, so occasional rinsing or a soft-pressure wash helps.
- Flake is slightly smoother, so dust or debris brooms away easily.
Pro Tip: For either finish, you won’t need harsh chemicals – mild soap and water usually suffice, even for oil spills in the garage.
Q6: Which Is More Budget-Friendly: Quartz or Flake?
Both finishes typically fall in a similar price range, as the polyaspartic resin is the main cost driver. The difference in total cost often comes down to installation time and specific color blends or decorative elements. Some intricate patterns or color mixes might bump up labor or material expenses.
Local Note: In Whitehouse, Tyler, or Longview, we typically see the price per square foot vary depending on surface prep needs and any existing coating removal.
If you’re aiming for an outdoor space like a patio or pool deck, quartz likely offers the extra traction and stone-like aesthetic you’ll love. For garages or indoor workshops, a flake finish might be your best bet – hiding dust and adding flair. Either way, both finishes pair excellently with a polyaspartic coating that’s UV-stable, durable, and easy to maintain in East Texas weather conditions.
Still deciding? Contact Epoxy Coat Masters for a consultation. We’ll discuss your specific needs – moisture levels, surface prep, color preferences – and guide you to the perfect polyaspartic system. Whether you pick quartz or flake, you’ll get a resilient, gorgeous floor that outperforms standard epoxy every time.
