Metallic Epoxy Floors in West Palm Beach, FL

Metallic epoxy floors are the most decorative work we take on in West Palm Beach. Fine metallic pigments are mixed into a clear epoxy, poured over a prepared slab and worked by hand, so the shimmer gathers into swirls, ripples and cloudy veils. No two metallic epoxy floor pours come out the same, which is the point. It suits interior spaces where looks come first: a converted garage, a game room, a home gym, a bar, a gallery or a retail floor.

Good rooms for metallic, and poor ones

Metallic epoxy is mainly an indoor finish. Like other epoxies, it does not hold up well to UV; HomeGuide gives standard epoxy only a poor to fair UV score. In a room with big windows, or a garage whose door stays up all day, we seal it under a UV-stable clear topcoat or recommend another system. We also talk people out of metallic on gritty floors such as a busy garage, since a smooth, glossy surface shows scratches more readily than a chip floor.

The slab has to be right

A metallic pour shows every flaw underneath it. Cracks, patches and low spots can telegraph through the finish as lines or puddles of color. We diamond grind, fill cracks and level the floor before the pour. Moisture testing is especially important. In a humid climate, an interior slab with no vapor barrier under it, which is common on older homes, can push moisture up and cause bubbles or haze in a thick decorative coat. If the meter reads high, we start with a primer rated for moisture.

How the look is made

We begin with a primer and, in most cases, a tinted base layer that establishes the background color. Next the metallic coat is poured and spread out. While it is still wet, we push the pigment around using rollers, trowels, brushes or blown air to get the pattern you want, from soft and marbled to bold and flowing. Some designs use two or more colors poured side by side. Once it cures, a clear topcoat goes on for scratch and stain resistance, in gloss or satin.

Choosing colors in Florida light

Bright natural light changes how metallic pigments look. Silver and pewter read cool and modern. Copper, bronze and gold warm up a room. Blues and teals echo the water and suit coastal homes. We show you sample boards and, where possible, test a small area so you see the color in your own light before the full pour.

Cost and what drives it

This Old House lists metallic epoxy floors at about $5 to $12 per square foot. Its range for professionally installed epoxy in general is $3 to $12. It also notes that high-grade coatings can add 20% to 30%. The spread comes from slab condition, the number of colors, the complexity of the pattern and the topcoat you choose.

Care for a metallic floor

Use felt pads under furniture, dust mop to keep grit from scratching the gloss, and wash it using a pH-neutral cleaner. Put mats at doorways to catch sand. A satin topcoat hides fine wear better than high gloss if the room sees a lot of traffic.