The SLABHARD® High Build (HB) Color Chip System is a multi-layer decorative chip flooring system engineered for commercial and industrial concrete substrates. It delivers a durable, visually consistent finish across high-traffic environments including retail spaces, automotive showrooms, educational facilities and commercial warehouses. Designed as a complete decorative resinous flooring solution, the system combines a broadcast color chip layer with a high-build epoxy base and a durable aliphatic topcoat to produce a surface that performs under daily operational demands.
Recommended Uses
The SLABHARD® HB Color Chip System is suited for concrete floor installations requiring both decorative appearance and functional performance. Typical environments include:
- Retail and commercial showrooms
- Automotive service facilities and showrooms
- Educational institutions and gymnasiums
- Commercial warehouses and distribution centers
- Institutional and public facilities
- Garage floors and multi-use commercial spaces
Exclusions: This system isn’t intended for applications requiring aggressive chemical resistance rated for heavy industrial solvents, or for environments where a specialized urethane cement flooring system is required. Consult individual product Technical Data Sheets and confirm substrate and environmental suitability before installation.
Advantages
- Decorative Versatility → Customizable Finished Appearance:
Broadcast color chips create a consistent, multi-toned surface across large floor areas. The finish is adaptable to facility design or brand requirements without sacrificing system integrity. - High-Build Epoxy Base → Mechanically Strong Foundation:
The high-build epoxy base coat provides a thick, reinforced layer that supports the broadcast chip and contributes to the system’s overall wear resistance and long-term durability. - UV-Stable Aliphatic Topcoat → Long-Term Appearance Retention:
The aliphatic polyurethane finish coat resists yellowing and discoloration, keeping the surface looking professionally maintained well past installation day. - Low-VOC Chemistry → Compliant Jobsite Installation:
The system’s low-VOC formulation is EPA compliant in all North American states and provinces, reducing jobsite odor and supporting compliance in occupied or semi-occupied facilities. - Inert Cured Finish → Regulatory Compatibility:
Products in this system cure to an inert finish, supporting compatibility with USDA, FDA and Food Safety Modernization Act requirements where applicable. - Slip Resistance Option → Enhanced Facility Safety:
With the correct aggregate incorporated into the topcoat, the system can achieve ADA slip resistance requirements for both flat and inclined surfaces.
Performance Characteristics
- Chemistry: 100% solids epoxy base coat with high-solids aliphatic polyurethane topcoat
- VOC Content: Low-VOC; EPA compliant in all North American states and provinces
- Solids Content: 100% solids base coat; high-solids finish coat
- Slip Resistance: Achievable with correct aggregate per ADA requirements
- Finish Type: Decorative color chip broadcast; gloss topcoat with optional slip-resistant aggregate
- Substrate: Concrete (dry or damp-tolerant primer options available)
- Surface Profile: ICRI CSP 2–4 recommended
- Regulatory Compatibility: USDA, FDA and Food Safety Modernization Act compatible; LEED® and Green Seal® compatible
- Intended Application Environments: Commercial, institutional and light industrial concrete floors
System Build
The SLABHARD® HB Color Chip Flooring System is a complete, multi-layer resinous flooring assembly. Each layer serves a defined functional role within the system and must not be substituted with non-approved materials. Depending on project requirements, substrate conditions and moisture test results, the system may include the following layers:
Crack & Joint Repair (As Needed)
- Product: SLABFLEX™ 300
- Function: Semi-rigid epoxy crack and joint filler; addresses surface discontinuities prior to coating to ensure a uniform, structurally sound substrate
Optional Moisture Mitigation (As Needed)
- Product: SLABLOC® 150
- Function: Epoxy moisture vapor barrier applied where substrate testing indicates elevated moisture conditions; mitigates vapor drive before primer and build coat installation
Primer Options
- Product: SLABREZ® GPE
- Function: Standard epoxy primer for properly prepared concrete; promotes adhesion and establishes a stable foundation for subsequent system layers
- Product: SLABREZ® 100
- Function: Alternative epoxy primer engineered for adhesion to dry or damp concrete; available in clear or pigmented formulations
Base Coat
- Product: SLABREZ® GPE (Pigmented)
- Function: Pigmented 100% solids epoxy build coat applied at high-film thickness to establish the system’s color foundation and prepare the surface to receive the decorative chip broadcast
Decorative Broadcast
- Product: SLABHARD® Color Chips
- Function: Broadcast to rejection over the wet base coat to deliver the system’s decorative appearance; contributes to surface texture and slip resistance throughout the cured assembly
Grout Coat
SLABREZ® GPE (Clear)
- Function: Clear epoxy grout coat applied over the cured chip broadcast; encapsulates the chip layer and creates a uniform, stable intermediate surface to receive the topcoat
Topcoat
- Product: SLABSEAL® 300
- Function: UV-stable, high-solids aliphatic polyurethane topcoat; provides long-term abrasion, stain and chemical resistance while protecting the decorative chip assembly from daily operational wear
Optional Accessories
- Aluminum Oxide Additive: Incorporated into the topcoat where enhanced slip resistance or a satin finish is specified
- Silica Additives: Applied where additional slip resistance is required by project specifications or facility safety standards
Each layer performs a specific function within the flooring assembly and must not be substituted with non-approved materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the SLABHARD® HB Color Chip System?
The SLABHARD® HB Color Chip System is a multi-layer decorative chip flooring system for commercial and industrial concrete substrates. It consists of an epoxy primer, a 100% solids high-build epoxy base coat with broadcast color chips and a high-solids aliphatic polyurethane topcoat that seals and protects the finished surface.
What Environments Is This System Designed For?
The system is suited for retail spaces, automotive showrooms, educational facilities, commercial warehouses, institutional buildings and light industrial environments. It’s not recommended for applications requiring aggressive chemical resistance systems or specialized urethane cement flooring.
Can the System Meet ADA Slip Resistance Requirements?
Yes. With the correct aggregate incorporated into the topcoat layer, the system can meet ADA slip resistance requirements for flat and inclined surfaces.
Is This System VOC Compliant?
Yes. Products in this system are EPA compliant in all states and provinces in North America and support LEED® and Green Seal® program requirements.
How Should the Concrete Substrate Be Prepared Before Installation?
The concrete substrate must be clean, structurally sound and free of bond breakers such as curing compounds, existing sealers or surface contaminants. Surface preparation to ICRI CSP 2–4 is required. For slabs in direct contact with soil, a positive-side moisture barrier meeting ASTM E1745 may be required depending on the topcoat selected.
Can the Color Chip Appearance Be Customized?
The broadcast color chip layer allows for variation in chip blend and broadcast density. This provides flexibility in the finished appearance to align with facility design standards or branding requirements.
What Is the Mixing Ratio for SLABSEAL® 300?
SLABSEAL® 300 requires a mix ratio of three parts component A to one part component B by volume.
What Is the Full Cure Time for This System?
Full cure time varies by product and ambient conditions. Refer to the individual Technical Data Sheets for SLABREZ® 100, SLABREZ® GPE and SLABSEAL® 300 for complete cure schedules and return-to-service timelines.
Supporting Assets
- SLABFLEZ® 300 Product Page
- SLABLOC® 150 Product Page
- SLABREZ® 100 Product Page
- SLABREZ® GPE Product Page
- SLABSEAL® 300 Product Page
- SLABHARD® Color Chips Product Page
SLABHARD® is a product brand of Star Step Performance Coatings Group, sold through authorized locations. For additional information, visit www.slabhard.com.