For decades, epoxy was the leading product for warehouse, basement, and garage floor coating. That is not the case today. Many alternative coatings afford unique benefits.
One of these is polyurea floor coating, which looks a lot like epoxy. Both products create a hard, glossy finish. But that is where the commonalities end.
If you are planning to recoat a floor in your home or warehouse, keep reading to find out the differences between these two products. The information below will help you decide whether epoxy or polyurea is the best choice for your floor.
Epoxy and Polyurea Floor Coating Basics
Epoxy is an organic compound that, combined with other elements, forms a resin. Used in floor coatings, the resin is mixed with a hardening agent that reacts and hardens when exposed to air or heat.
Polyurea is a polymer formed by combining two reactants. It is very flexible and almost indestructible.
Polyurea vs Epoxy
Both polyurea and epoxy create a hard, smooth surface for your floor. And both will last for a long time, under normal usage. Here are some of the distinctions between the two.
Durability
Epoxy is a very tough product. But polyurea is more durable than even the highest quality epoxy. Polyurea is more resistant to fading, staining, or chipping from heavy objects.
For epoxy flooring in warehouses or garages where spills often happen, it is a good idea to put down mats to protect your floor. Also, epoxy floors can fade over time if exposed to ultraviolet light. That is not the case with polyurea.
Even though polyurea is very strong, it also has a rubbery quality to it. This makes it more comfortable to walk on. It also makes it more adaptable to shifts in the foundation or underlying concrete.
Application
Epoxy requires a lot of prep work before application. Neglecting this step could cause your flooring to peel over time.
Polyurea requires very little preparation to the concrete floor before application. It pours on smooth, filling in any cracks or crevices in the concrete.
(Note that, since polyurea dries so quickly, it is very unforgiving when applying. It requires special knowledge and equipment. For this reason, you should leave the task up to a trained installer.)
You will need to apply two coats of epoxy to ensure that your floor is smooth and level. Each coat requires at least 48 hours to dry and set. Some installers recommend waiting up to a week before applying the second layer.
The total set time for polyurea is very short. You can walk on it after six or eight hours and drive a car on it after 24 hours. This quick turn-around has made it a popular choice for warehouses and production floors that want to minimize downtime.
Cost
Epoxies come in a wide range of qualities. The more durable product you purchase the more expensive it will be.
Polyurea coating will be more expensive than any epoxy one. But the fact that it will last and look great longer will more than offset the extra cost.
Find Floor Coating Near You
Now that you have an idea of the differences between epoxy and polyurea floor coating, find a reputable professional to handle the task. You will have the peace of mind that your floor coating is installed correctly and will last for decades.
At Garage Force we provide the highest-quality floor coatings at competitive prices. We can tackle your job in a single day and offer lifetime warranties on our residential polyurea floors. Reach out to us today for a free quote.