Custom Flake
in Como.

Como Park Lake and Dual-City Salt: Prep Before the Chip

Como Lake's proximity to the neighborhood's western edge creates an ambient moisture environment in the adjacent residential blocks similar to the lake-area effects in Linden Hills and Nokomis. Heated garages near Como Lake can see elevated vapor emission from the lake-influenced soil moisture below the slab. A custom flake installation over a high-vapor Como slab will delaminate below the chip layer as vapor pressure builds from beneath, destroying the decorative finish before the first winter is through.

Every Como custom flake project begins with moisture testing with attention to the lake-adjacent properties. Product selection responds to the actual readings. Diamond grinding removes the compromised laitance layer from older Como slabs, opens the aggregate, and reveals crack networks and spall zones from 60 to 90 years of Minnesota winters and dual-city chloride loading. Crack repair, spall fill, and moisture management complete the prep before the chip broadcast goes down.

The vinyl chip profile adds surface texture that increases slip resistance in a Como garage where tracked-in brine from both Minneapolis and St. Paul treated roads, and the ambient moisture of the park environment, keep floor surfaces wet at various points through the winter. The UV-stable polyaspartic topcoat sealing the chip layer does not yellow under the summer sun that Como garages with park-facing windows receive through the open season.

Color Selections for the Park-Adjacent Neighborhood

Como's mid-century housing stock and park-adjacent character create a design context where understated, quality finishes fit naturally. The free in-home design consultation brings physical chip samples to the actual Como garage, evaluating color and density options under the specific lighting conditions of the space. A mid-century ranch garage near Como Lake has proportions and window placement that differ from a two-story home's attached two-car garage on the interior streets closer to the St. Paul border.

Warm neutral blends in medium density complement the mid-century architectural character of the neighborhood. Cool greens and slate tones that coordinate with the park's mature tree canopy and lake environment have appeal in the properties nearest Como Lake. Full broadcasts in dark neutrals work in the larger attached garages of newer Como construction. The consultation explores these directions in the actual space without obligation.

The chip broadcast at medium density conceals minor residual surface variation remaining after repair on Como's older slabs: repair edges at crack fills, minor pitting from surface scaling that began decades ago. The chip pattern creates visual complexity that draws the eye to the color blend rather than to any remaining surface variation from the slab's winter history.

Central Avenue and Como Commercial Floors

The Central Avenue NE corridor through Como's eastern edge connects to the Northeast Minneapolis commercial district and carries dual-city deicing exposure through the winter. Auto service and light commercial businesses along Central and the adjacent commercial streets have floors that face elevated chloride loading from both Minneapolis and St. Paul road networks. A custom flake system on a Como corridor commercial floor delivers a designer surface with seamless cleanability, slip resistance, and the chemical resistance to handle the road salt chemistry of two major city deicing programs. Phased installation keeps businesses running through the work.

Free Assessment for Custom Flake in Como

Every custom flake project in the Como neighborhood begins with a free on-site assessment. A verified crew member evaluates the slab, tests moisture vapor with attention to the Como Lake area environment, and brings chip samples for evaluation under the actual lighting of the space. No obligation. Contact us to schedule your Como custom flake assessment.