Published 10 November 2026
Choosing a metallic epoxy floor is not like choosing a tile from a sample board. You're designing something that will be poured once, in your room, and will never be repeated. That's exciting, and slightly terrifying. This guide breaks the decision into manageable parts.
If you want to play as you read, open the Colour Lab. It runs the same colour logic as this guide: base, two vein colours, metallic intensity and scale.
The anatomy of a metallic floor
- Base colour: the dominant field, usually 60–80% of what you see. It sets the mood: dark, light or warm.
- Vein colour A: the main accent. Gold, silver, white, blue, copper.
- Vein colour B: the supporting tone that adds depth between the two.
- Metallic intensity: how much pearlescent shimmer is in the mix. More metallic means more movement as you walk past.
- Scale and movement: big, lazy swirls or tight, busy detail; calm drifts or dramatic rivers.
- Finish: gloss for maximum depth, satin for a softer glow.
Step 1: start with the room, not the swatch
A colour that looks incredible on a phone screen can feel very different on 30 m² of floor. Before you fall for a colourway, think about:
- Size. Light bases make small rooms feel bigger. Dark bases make big rooms feel intimate and dramatic.
- Light. North-facing rooms read cooler, so warm tones (champagne, gold) balance them. South-facing rooms and conservatories handle cool tones well and need a UV-stable topcoat.
- Fixed elements: cabinetry, brick, worktops, wall colour, metal finishes on taps and handles. The floor should talk to them.
- Use. Dark gloss shows dust and paw prints more. Busy veining hides everyday life.
- Lighting. LED strips, pendants and especially hex panels transform metallics. The floor reflects whatever's above it.
Step 2: choose your base
| Base | Feel | Watch out for | Colourways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black / charcoal | Dramatic, luxurious, high contrast | Shows dust and fine scratches | Obsidian Storm, Molten Marble |
| White / pearl | Bright, clean, spacious | UV yellowing without the right topcoat | Gold Vein, Arctic Copper |
| Grey / gunmetal | Versatile, forgiving, modern | Can look flat with too little metallic | Graphite Mist |
| Warm neutrals | Soft, natural, inviting | Can look beige if veins are too timid | Champagne Pearl |
| Colour (lilac, navy) | Personal, playful, bold | Commit fully; half-measures look unsure | Amethyst Tide, Galaxy |
Step 3: pick your veins
Veins are where personality comes in. A few principles:
- Contrast makes drama. Gold on black (Molten Marble) shouts. White on pale grey whispers. Decide which you want.
- Metals tie rooms together. Echo brass taps, copper pendants or chrome handles in the vein colour.
- One hero accent is usually enough. Vein B should support Vein A, not compete with it.
- Thin veins read as marble. Wide ribbons read as fluid art. Gold Vein uses fine, branching lines; Molten Marble uses thick rivers.
Step 4: decide on movement and density
This is the hardest thing to judge from photos, so talk to us about it. Two floors with identical colours can feel completely different:
- Calm: large areas of base with occasional veins. Elegant, works in open-plan spaces where the floor shouldn't dominate.
- Flowing: veins sweep across the room in a clear direction. Often aligned with the room's longest line or the view from the door.
- Storm: lots of layered movement and cells. Great in garages and feature rooms, and brilliant at hiding dust.
Our Obsidian Storm garage sits firmly at the storm end. Look at the macro shots and you'll see layer upon layer of folded pigment. Gold Vein is at the calm end.
The eight house colourways
| Colourway | Palette | Mood | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Storm | Charcoal, silver, white | Thunderheads frozen under glass | Garages, showrooms, gyms |
| Molten Marble | Black, gold, white | Liquid gold through jet black | Feature rooms, bars, wet rooms |
| Gold Vein | White, gold, soft grey | Quiet luxury marble | Kitchens, living, bathrooms |
| Amethyst Tide | Lilac, pearl, gold | A tide pool in metallic silk | Bedrooms, dressing rooms, salons |
| Champagne Pearl | Sand, pearl, bronze | Light through a glass of fizz | Conservatories, living rooms |
| Arctic Copper | White, blue, copper | Glacier with electric currents | Open-plan, kitchens, showrooms |
| Graphite Mist | Gunmetal, silver, near-black | Hard-working, never boring | Commercial, kitchens, store rooms |
| Galaxy | Navy, silver, blue | Star clusters in deep space | Tables, bar tops, cinema rooms |
Every one of these came from a real job. They're starting points, not a catalogue. Swap the gold for copper, warm up the base, make the veins thinner. That's the point of bespoke.
Step 5: choose the finish
Gloss gives metallics their full liquid depth and reflects light beautifully. Satin softens reflections and hides fine scratches and dust better, which suits busy family homes and big open spaces. In kitchens, bathrooms and wet rooms, anti-slip aggregate can be added to either. It slightly reduces the mirror effect but makes a real difference to grip.
How we turn your idea into a pour
- Send us inspiration: a Colour Lab design, photos, a Pinterest board, a fabric swatch.
- At survey we look at the room, the light and your fixed finishes.
- We agree the base, vein colours, metallic intensity, movement and finish.
- Where useful, we prepare samples so you can see the colours in your own light.
- On the day, we pour and work the design live. The material adds its own final touches, and that's the bit nobody can copy.
Five common design mistakes
- Choosing from a phone screen alone. Screens exaggerate saturation and hide metallic shimmer. See samples in your own light where you can.
- Too many colours. Three is plenty for most floors. A fourth often turns marble into mud.
- Ignoring what's fixed. A cool blue-grey floor next to warm oak cabinets and brass handles can fight. Design around what's staying.
- Forgetting the lighting. A floor designed in daylight can look completely different under warm evening lamps or bright LEDs.
- Going timid on a statement. If you've chosen a bold colourway, let it be bold. Half-hearted veining in a dramatic palette tends to look unfinished.
If you can dream it, we can pour it.
Ready to design yours? Open the Colour Lab, save a look you love and send it with your quote request.
