Metallic Epoxy Floors in Dublin, CA

Metallic epoxy floors use fine pearl and metal pigments mixed into a clear epoxy that is poured and then worked by hand. The pigment drifts and settles as the resin levels, which creates swirls, ripples and color shifts that look different from every angle. In Dublin, CA we install them in converted garages, home gyms, game rooms, offices and small commercial spaces where the floor is part of the design.

Where they work well

Most Dublin homes are slab-on-grade, and many newer houses have bonus rooms, lofts over garages or converted garage bays that people want to finish. A metallic floor goes straight onto the ground concrete and does not need a subfloor, carpet or tile. It is seamless, so it is easy to clean, and it suits rooms used for workouts, hobbies or entertaining. Businesses in the Tri-Valley use it for dealerships, salons, studios and lobbies.

How a metallic floor is installed

1. The slab is diamond ground and every crack and pit is filled, because a metallic finish shows any flaw underneath it. 2. A primer and a tinted base coat go down to set the background color. 3. The metallic layer is mixed, poured and spread, then worked with rollers, brushes or air to create the pattern you picked. 4. After it cures, one or more clear topcoats add protection and set the final gloss.

Why prep matters even more here

On a flake floor, small dips and old crack lines hide under the chips. On a metallic floor they show. Cracks are common in Tri-Valley slabs because some local clays have high shrink-swell potential, according to a PG&E environmental report on the area. We fill and level those spots before the base coat. If a crack looks like it is still moving, we tell you, since a rigid decorative coating can crack along the same line.

Sun, heat and the topcoat

HomeGuide rates epoxy's UV resistance as poor to fair. Inside a closed room that rarely matters, but a metallic floor near a big window, a glass door or an open garage will see sun. We finish those floors with a UV-stable clear coat. This Old House and Bob Vila both list metallic epoxy at about $5 to $12 per square foot, and we include the topcoat in the price we quote.

Picking a look

• Marble: soft veins of a second color over a light base.
• Ocean or lava: bold swirls with deep color shifts.
• Subtle pearl: a single color with a gentle sheen, good for offices.
• Two-tone: a dark base under a bright metallic for contrast.

Every metallic floor is one of a kind. We show photos and sample boards so you know the range before we pour.

Care

Metallic floors are glossy, so they show scratches from grit more than flake floors do. Use felt pads under furniture, rubber mats under weight racks and a walk-off mat at the door. Mop with a neutral cleaner.