If your concrete floor in your garage or basement is cracked, stained and dirty, you’re probably looking to coat it or replace it. Concrete coatings offer many benefits like improved aesthetics, increased durability and increased overall longevity of the floor. If you’re looking to have concrete coatings installed on concrete floor(s), it’s best to do some research to figure out which product is best suited for your needs and wants.
In previous years, epoxy was the go to option for garage and basement floor coatings; however its use has significantly diminished in the past few years. In recent years, polyurea/polyaspartic coatings have been becoming more popular due to their fast install time and durability. So what exactly are epoxy and polyurea/polyaspartic coatings and how do they compare? Read below to get the facts!
What exactly is Epoxy?
Epoxy floor coatings consist of epoxy resin and polyamine harder. When the epoxy dries, it seals the concrete and covers it with a thick, hard and shiny finish. Due to the fact that it is extremely hard (and thick), epoxy does not move with the concrete when it moves with the temperature changes. This causes the epoxy to crack and peel over time. In addition, epoxy alone is not UV resistant so it should not be applied in areas that are exposed to sunlight as it will discolor.
Since epoxy is thicker, its cure time is 2-3x longer. A typical cure time for an epoxy floor is 2-3 days (cure time can be affected by temperature, humidity, etc.). Due to its slow dry time, you have a large window of time to apply the product as well as fix any issues before it cures so it is DIY friendly.
What are Polyurea/Polyaspartic Coatings?
Polyurea/polyurea coatings are 4x stronger than epoxy and much more durable. Unlike epoxy, they are flexible and thin which allow them to move with the concrete during temperature changes. Although they are very thin, polyurea/polyaspartic coatings are still remarkably strong, impact and scratch resistant, and resistant to chemicals up to battery acid.
Polyurea/polyaspartic floor coatings have a very fast cure time so they can be installed in as little as one day. This makes them an ideal option for not only homeowners looking to get their garage, basement, patio or porch coated, but for business owners that are looking for a durable product with a quick turnaround time. Unfortunately this does not make for a good option for DIY projects as their fast cure time leaves little to no room for mistakes. Did you notice that we mentioned porches and patios? That’s right, their UV resistant qualities allow them to be applied outdoors without yellowing or discoloration making them an ideal flooring option for all outdoor concrete surfaces.
Which is better, Epoxy or Polyurea/Polyaspartics?
The answer is simple: Polyurea/polyaspartic concrete coatings exceed epoxy coatings in every category for all concrete applications. Even when you factor in pricing, epoxy will require replacement much faster than a polyurea/polyaspartic floor and eventually exceed it in cost as well.
Many of you may ask why epoxy flooring is still used today since polyurea/polyaspartic coatings are so much better. As we mentioned before, polyurea/polyaspartics are typically only offered with the full broadcast of flake so if someone is looking for a solid colored floor they may opt for the epoxy option. Another instance that someone may use epoxy over polyurea/polyaspartic coatings for their floor is the do it yourselfers. Since polyurea/polyaspartic coatings are not DIY friendly, if someone is insistent on doing it themselves then they are forced to use an epoxy as they are easier to use.
Now that we have determined which concrete coating will be best suited for your needs, it’s time to hire a company that offers polyurea/polyaspartic concrete coatings!
Here at Durable Coatings – Iowa we only offer the best products and services around. We strive for excellence in every department and do not cut corners on anything. When you choose Durable Coatings to install your polyurea/polyaspartic concrete coatings, you can rest assured knowing you hired a company that not only takes pride in their work but cares about their customers as well.
Give us a call today to schedule your free estimate and start your journey to a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing floor!