What do we find in reviewing the benefits and drawbacks of epoxy vs. polyurea floor coatings? Though epoxy and polyurea look identical when freshly poured, their similar qualities are not identical. So, which one works best for a garage floor?
Below, the Concrete Coatings GA experts discuss how to choose the most effective floor coating for a garage between epoxy resin and polyurea coatings.
What You Need To Know About Epoxy Coatings
As a polymer floor coating, epoxy resin typically involves a two-part application system. A skilled professional specializing in concrete coatings would create the epoxy mixture by combining resin with a hardener. They paint this onto the prepared floor to form durable bonds to the concrete floor as it dries.
Epoxy has some benefits but does not do well as an outdoor flooring option. It is not entirely UV-resistant, which means it will turn yellow and peel when left in the sun over long periods. However, when used indoors, epoxy can be a versatile protective layer for concrete floors.
Do Polyurea Coatings Offer Superior Qualities to Epoxy?
Weighing the benefits of polyurea involves understanding how the substance is slightly different from traditional epoxy. Polyurea is a subset of polyurethane, a kind of polymer known as an elastomer. These elastomers are synthetic polymers that we can easily modify to suit your needs.
For example, an expert like Concrete Coatings GA could work with polyurea to increase or lower its strength, enhance its durability, and take advantage of its rubber-like elasticity. These qualities make polyurea a perfect choice for indoor areas as well as outdoors.
- Polyurea is UV resistant.
- Polyurea can withstand heat better than epoxy.
- Homes and businesses can use polyurea on many different surfaces, including the garage, pool decks, driveways, patios, and more.
The Final Word on Epoxy Vs. Polyurea
It is difficult to say whether one is better than the other outright, but the choice will depend on your needs. Before selecting the right choice for your residential or commercial property, decide on what you need in terms of elasticity, durability, cost, and curing time.
Polyurea Offers Greater Elasticity
Flexibility is essential in garage floor coatings because the top layer must move with the concrete foundation so that it will not crack or peel. Polyurea is approximately 98% more flexible than epoxy and requires repair or replacement sooner.
Concrete also expands and contracts. So, an expert like Concrete Coatings GA will formulate the polyurea for more or less elasticity as needed.
Epoxy Does Not Last As Long
Both coatings are relatively durable.
- Epoxy lasts around 5 to 10 years.
- Polyurea lasts for up to 15 years.
Epoxy is widely regarded as highly durable and can withstand tires, heavy foot traffic, stains, or scratches. However, it is not UV-resistant and does not do well against the heat of tires, machinery, or sunlight.
Polyurea also withstands heavy foot traffic, machinery, chemicals, scratches, and stains for years. Its heat and UV resistance make it far more durable than epoxy. You can also customize it easily.
Epoxy Could Be Cheaper But Requires More Upkeep
Typically, epoxy floor coatings are slightly cheaper than polyurea. Epoxy has been around for longer, but it is also less effective at protecting the concrete flooring in the garage. It also requires regular upkeep compared to polyurea, even though the initial installation is more cost-effective.
Consider what you need in the garage before deciding on the most affordable option long-term. Do you want to spruce up your garage without additional protection? Polyurea is just as attractive as epoxy and keeps the area looking like new for a lot longer.
Polyurea’s Curing Time Makes It More Convenient
There is only one more consideration: epoxy takes five days to cure, and polyurea takes just 24 hours. Can you afford to have the floor space out of action for five days to cure completely? If not, polyurea is more convenient.
You might also want to consider that improperly cured epoxy will soon bubble, go cloudy, lose its shine, and peel. When a professional like Concrete Coatings GA applies polyurea, it cures quicker and dries perfectly. Other considerations include the following:
- Temperature and humidity affect curing times with both polymers
- Weather and seasons affect application and drying times for epoxy and polyurea
Call Us for Top-notch Garage Floor Coatings Today
Would you like to know more about which flooring material will suit your needs best?
Call Concrete Coatings GA at (678) 782-7580 today to weigh the pros and cons of epoxy vs. polyurea in Peachtree City or Locust Grove, GA, and the surrounding areas.
