Advise for floor - quartz vs. flake

[Red_Barn_Garage]

I just built a new garage and am looking at companies to install an epoxy floor. I have narrowed it down to two companies in my area that look reputable ( BBB A+ rating and have good reviews).

Both companies do similar prep work of diamond grinding and repairing any cracks.

The first company has a 5 layer system with a lifetime warranty. After prep, they apply a primer 'bond' coat. Then a polymer color coat with poly-vinyl acetate chips. After drying, they sand the chips and apply 2 clear Poly-Hybrid coats. Their price is $5.80 / sq ft.

The second company has a 3 layer system with a 2 year warranty. I was told that if there is a problem, it will happen within 2 years. After prep, they apply the prime or receiver coat at about 80 sq ft. per gallon and then broadcast silica quartz to the point of saturation ( 1 lb per sq ft). After this has set they sweep and vacuum excess quarts and apply top coat of 100% epoxy solids leaving a 65 mil ( 1/16") think floor. Their price is $5.57 / sq ft.

I'm leaning toward the second company because I like the look and feel of the quartz better than the flakes, but I like the warranty of the first company.

Does either of these systems sound significantly better than the other? Should I believe that if failure occurs it will happen in 2 years?

 

[bbailey]

I don't' know what my neighbor has, but it looks like a granite tabletop, only not polished smooth. It looks awesome. I wonder if it is quartz?

 

[dcs Inc]

Full broadcast 1/16" flake systems look real close to quartz systems. Color blend choice and percentages of those colors can get you real close to granite. (In looks).

 

[Garage Flooring]

At the end of the day it is going to come down to the company putting the product down. I have sold and installed quartz systems in the past. I won't sell them to the DIY consumer right now but they sure are nice.

That said a full broadcast flake system is outstanding. If it were my garage, everything else being equal I would go with the quartz systems.

 

[thegarageguy]

Typically, quartz floors are double broadcasted. This is done to lessen the likelihood of having a wavy floor and or bald spots. With all things being equal, quartz floors are a better floor because its typically thicker and has more impact resistance.

 

[Red_Barn_Garage]

Thanks for the replies. I'll go with the quartz floor.