Knowledge Base

Flakes & Glitter

Decorative vinyl flakes, mica and quartz flakes and metallic foil glitters

Aspartech CLEAR-COAT can be combined with a wide range of decorative vinyl flakes, mica and quartz flakes and metallic foil glitters to create attractive, highly individual flooring finishes. From a subtle decorative accent through to a completely broadcast flake floor, the appearance can be tailored to suit virtually any commercial, industrial or decorative environment.

Decorative additions can be broadcast directly onto the freshly applied resin or, where appropriate, mixed into the Part A component before the Part B component is added. The quantity used is determined primarily by the appearance required, with relatively small additions creating a subtle decorative effect and heavier broadcasts progressively obscuring the underlying floor.

Vinyl Flakes

Vinyl acrylic flakes provide an effective way of introducing colour, texture and visual interest into an Aspartech CLEAR-COAT system. Individual colours can be used or several colours blended together to complement surrounding décor, corporate colour schemes or the colour of the underlying Aspartech floor.

A wide variety of combinations can be created, including:

Black, white & mid-grey
Dark grey
Beige, cream & terracotta
Ivory, black & red
Light grey & blue
Sandstone
Terracotta
Blue
Green

The final appearance can be altered considerably simply by changing the colour combination, flake size and quantity applied.

Mica, Quartz & Metallic Effects

For more distinctive decorative finishes, Aspartech CLEAR-COAT can also incorporate mica, quartz and metallic foil additions.

Mica and quartz flakes can introduce natural mineral-like effects with additional depth and variation. Available appearances can include white, gold, black and iridescent effects, making them particularly suitable where a more premium decorative finish is required.

Metallic foil glitter can be used to introduce reflective highlights and sparkle into the floor, with gold and silver effects providing particularly striking finishes. Because CLEAR-COAT remains transparent, light can interact with the decorative additions beneath or within the coating to create a greater sense of depth.

Addition Rates

There is no single prescribed addition rate because the correct quantity ultimately depends upon the desired appearance.

A useful rule of thumb is approximately 0.5 kg per 5 kg kit for a light decorative accent, 1.0 kg per 5 kg kit for medium coverage and approximately 2.5 kg per 5 kg kit for a full broadcast finish.

These quantities should be regarded as guidance rather than fixed application rates. Flake size, density, colour contrast, application technique and the desired finished appearance can all affect the quantity required.

From a Subtle Accent to Full Coverage

One of the advantages of decorative flakes is the degree of control they provide over the finished appearance.

A light sprinkle allows the underlying Aspartech surface to remain the dominant feature while introducing small areas of contrasting colour or sparkle. This can provide visual interest without substantially changing the character of the original floor.

A partial broadcast produces a more pronounced decorative effect, with flakes distributed across the floor while portions of the underlying surface remain visible. Multi-colour blends can create an attractive mottled or terrazzo-inspired appearance.

With a full broadcast, flakes are applied sufficiently heavily to completely cover the wet resin surface. Excess loose material is removed after curing before the appropriate clear coat is applied, producing a much more heavily textured and visually distinctive decorative floor.

Creating a Bespoke Finish

The enormous number of possible colour combinations means that Aspartech CLEAR-COAT decorative systems can be tailored to suit the individual project. Flakes can be blended in different proportions, allowing anything from understated neutral greys and natural stone effects to bold blues, greens and contrasting multi-colour finishes.

Metallic and iridescent additions can be incorporated where a more unusual appearance is desired, while combinations of flakes and decorative particles provide even greater design flexibility.

Because decorative appearance is subjective and small changes in the proportions of individual colours can noticeably alter the finished floor, a representative sample or trial area should always be produced and approved before proceeding with the main installation.

Important Application Guidance

The quantities shown above are approximate and should not be treated as guaranteed consumption rates. Decorative additions vary in particle size, shape, bulk density and visual impact.

Where flakes or glitter are to be mixed directly into the resin rather than broadcast onto the surface, compatibility and the proposed addition level should be confirmed before full-scale application. A trial mix is particularly important at higher addition rates to ensure that the decorative material does not adversely affect mixing, application or the required finished appearance.

For broadcast systems, sufficient additional material should be available to allow the flakes to be distributed evenly without attempting to recover coverage by spreading them too thinly. Full-broadcast applications will normally require excess material to ensure complete and consistent coverage.

Always carry out a representative trial before installation to confirm the colour blend, addition rate, application technique and final appearance.

Aspartech CLEAN-ZONE

Aspartech CLEAR-COAT

Aspartech Product Range