Garage flooring can get damaged in a myriad of ways. From moisture to chemical spills our flooring takes the brunt of traffic during the year. They inevitably begin to wear down and fade over time, especially here in Georgia where our summers can be long and hot. Faded concrete isn’t attractive, and damaged concrete is a safety hazard.
If you’re looking for a solution to this problem, then this article is for you.
There are many concrete coating options on the market to protect your home’s value and safety. Here at Concrete Coatings GA, we specialize in concrete coatings and have looked at the best variety to date, including the most popular epoxy or polyurea. So, which one is the better option—polyurea or epoxy? Let’s find out.
What is Polyurea Coating?
Polyurea coating is an elastomer formulated for maximum flexibility and durability. It is a subset of polyurethane, a common garage floor coating in the industry, and is made up of two parts: isocyanate and polyol. Polyurea coating is excellent for high-traffic areas and garages because of its slip, stain, and chip-resistant qualities.
What is Epoxy Floor Coating?
Epoxy is one of the most popular garage floor coatings on the market. It is made of two parts: resin and hardener, which are mixed to form a thick paste. This is applied on top of the concrete, and it cures to maximum hardness, acting as an oil-proof, waterproof sealant for your garage floor.
Epoxy floor coating is durable and is much better than uncoated or polished concrete. It prevents spills and can last for years.
Polyurea vs. Epoxy: Which is the Best?
Both polyurea and epoxy are useful and depending on the needs of your project, you may have an obvious choice in mind. Here, we’ll compare these two to each other in terms of durability, longevity, cost, and application and cure time. Let’s see which one comes out on top.
Durability
Polyurea garage floor coating and epoxy floor coating are both durable concrete coating solutions. However, epoxy flooring is no match for polyurea floor coating. Epoxy flooring can make uncoated concrete up to three times stronger. A polyurea garage floor coating will make your floor four times stronger than an epoxy-coated floor. Polyurea is more flexible because it is elastomeric, which means that it has a rubber-like consistency that can bend and stretch with concrete. In terms of durability, polyurea garage floor coating wins.
Longevity
Epoxy coating can last up to five years before you’ll notice any significant wear and tear. Polyurea can last up to 15 years, and in some cases, even longer with proper maintenance and care.
Cost
Epoxy floor coating is the cheaper of the two options, at $3-$4 per square foot, but what you save in price you may pay for later in replacement costs. The epoxy may need repair in as soon as three years. Polyurea coating is more expensive than epoxy, at $5-$7 per square foot, but it lasts longer, requires less maintenance, and is UV-resistant, while epoxy is not.
Application And Cure Time
For the application, we considered the cure time of each coating and the ease of installation. Both epoxy flooring and polyurea garage floor coating require a similar sanding process to prepare the surface or application. The actual coating process is where things begin to diverge. Epoxy flooring, when applied, takes up to five days to cure completely. Polyurea garage floor coating can cure within one day and be ready for use within 24 hours. In both cases, heat and moisture can affect the cure time of the coating-heat shortens cure time, and moisture lengthens it. If you’re on a strict schedule, polyurea garage floor coating is likely a better option because the application process can be done in less than a day.
In conclusion, polyurea floor coating comes out on top. It is more durable, lasts longer, and can be applied and ready for use in as little as one day. The higher price tag is validated by these extra benefits.
Why Choose Concrete Coatings GA
Georgia homeowners trust Concrete Coatings GA because we provide the highest quality flooring options at affordable prices. We offer a five-year warranty for our flake flooring and a one-year manufacturer’s warranty for everything else. Our professional system has been thoroughly vetted, and consistently leaves our customers 100% satisfied. We are committed to serving you with integrity and top care. Contact us today to learn more.
Get A Free Quote
Are you looking for concrete coating solutions that last? Are you in need of quality polyurea or polyaspartic coatings? Concrete Coatings GA provides professional polyurea garage floor coating services to our local area. We know that concrete coating is an investment that can increase the value of your home and improve its overall look. So, we offer solutions that work for many areas of the home including, Concrete polishing, garage coatings, patio coatings, basement coatings, and driveway coatings. Contact us today for a free quote.
