Broadcast rate is the quantity of decorative flake, colored quartz, or aggregate spread into a wet basecoat, expressed in pounds per square foot, and it directly controls the look and texture of the finished floor.
Understanding Broadcast Rate in Flake and Quartz Systems
Broadcast rate is the amount of decorative flake, colored quartz, or aggregate spread into a wet basecoat, usually measured in pounds per square foot. It is one of the main variables that determines whether a floor comes out looking full and consistent or thin and patchy once it is ground and sealed.
What Determines the Right Broadcast Rate?
The desired look drives the rate more than anything else. A light, speckled decorative look uses a much lower rate than a full broadcast system, where flake is spread to complete rejection so no basecoat shows through at all. Product manufacturer specs also set a target range, since broadcasting too heavy over certain basecoats can affect topcoat adhesion.
Full Broadcast vs. Broadcast Rate
Full broadcast refers to a system broadcast to full rejection, where the basecoat is completely covered and no more material will stick. Broadcast rate is the measurement itself, in pounds per square foot, so a full broadcast system will have a specific broadcast rate depending on the flake or quartz size being used.
Practical Tips for an Even Broadcast
Broadcast from a bucket or hopper in a steady, sweeping motion and work from the same direction across the whole floor to avoid stripes or drift lines. Weigh out your material ahead of time based on square footage so you know roughly how much you should be using as you go. Have extra material staged and ready, since running out mid-broadcast on a wet basecoat can leave a hard line that is difficult to blend.
Also Called
Chip rate, flake rate
