Metallic Epoxy in St. Louis, MO

Metallic epoxy is the decorative side of what we do in St. Louis. A metallic epoxy floor is a clear epoxy mixed with metallic pigments, poured and worked by hand so the pigments drift and settle into swirls, ripples and depth. No two floors look the same. Around here, most of these floors go into finished basements, home bars, gyms, game rooms and commercial spaces like salons, studios and tasting rooms, where a plain concrete slab is already the subfloor.

Why basements are the usual canvas

A large share of the region's housing is old. Point2Homes' ACS summary shows that over half the homes in the city date from 1939 or before, and suburbs like Affton, Mehlville and Florissant are largely 1950s and 1960s homes. Basements in homes of that age often have a sound but worn concrete floor. Instead of covering it with carpet that can trap damp air, many owners choose a metallic floor that is seamless, wipes clean and is not damaged by a minor spill.

Moisture comes first

A basement slab sits in the ground, and moisture vapor moving up through it is the main reason decorative floors fail. Wikipedia lists the city's average relative humidity at 69.7%, and summer dew points average 66.6 F in July, so basements here can feel damp even when they never flood. We test every slab for moisture before quoting a metallic floor. When the readings are high, we use a moisture-tolerant epoxy primer under the decorative coats. If water comes in as liquid during heavy rain, that has to be solved before we pour anything.

How the look is made

The floor is built in layers. First we diamond grind and repair the concrete, filling cracks and pits so they do not telegraph through. A primer seals the slab. Then a tinted base coat sets the background color. The metallic coat goes on next, and this is where technique matters: we spread it, then move the pigment with rollers, brushes, air or solvent to create the pattern you chose, from soft clouds to bold marbling. Finally a clear topcoat protects the surface, in gloss or satin.

Choosing colors and finish

Metallic pigments come in silvers, pewters, coppers, bronzes, blues, greens and blacks, and two or three can be blended in one floor. Lighter floors brighten a basement with small windows. Darker floors with copper or silver highlights suit bars and media rooms. A gloss topcoat shows the most depth but also shows dust and scratches sooner; a satin topcoat hides more. A slip-resistant additive can go in the topcoat for areas that might get wet, such as near a bar sink or a walkout door.

What it costs and what affects it

Metallic epoxy floors run $5 to $12 per square foot according to This Old House, which adds that high-grade coatings raise that by 20% to 30%. Room shape, the amount of crack repair, the number of colors and a moisture-tolerant primer all affect where your floor lands. Small rooms can cost more per foot because setup time is the same. Your written price comes once we have looked at and tested the slab.

Living with a metallic floor

Metallic epoxy is hard and easy to clean with a soft mop and mild cleaner. It is not a garage floor. Hot tires, dragged equipment and road salt are better handled by a flake or polyaspartic system. In a sunny room, plain epoxy can amber over time, so where sunlight hits we add a UV-stable topcoat. Furniture pads, a mat inside the entry to catch grit and occasional recoating of the topcoat keep it looking right for years. Get a free estimate