Polyurea and polyaspartic are terms that people outside the flooring industry often confuse. While they both protect concrete floors, polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are compounds with different benefits.
In this article, we’ll look at the differences so that you know which is the better option for your needs.
What Is Polyurea?
Polyurea coatings consist of a base layer of polyurethane. The exact formulation will differ from one product to the next, so it’s essential to have an excellent working knowledge of the options on the market.
One of the primary benefits of polyurea is that it dries pretty quickly. Polyurea requires minimal maintenance and will last many years, even in high foot-traffic areas. As far as floor options go, it creates a durable, impermeable layer that bonds directly to the concrete.
The downside of using this substance is that it cannot handle much sun exposure. If you subject your new floor to too much direct sunlight, it will fade and begin to discolor.
What Is Polyaspartic?
Polyurea and polyaspartic are very similar, but polyaspartic is an upgrade to your flooring system. Think of it as polyurea 2.0.
Polyaspartic is also polyurethane, but it handles UV exposure like a champion. It’s also far more robust and more resistant to damage. The downside is that it’s more expensive than other floor coatings.
The cost difference is why many clients opt to use a combination of polyurea and polyaspartic.
Which Is Better?
Both are durable floor coatings, so it’s difficult to say outright. Polyaspartic overcomes some of the difficulties of using polyurea, but that improvement comes at a cost.
Polyurea is an older material and boasts a fast curing time. While a faster dry time initially seems like a good thing, the compound may dry before it has time to soak into the concrete properly, especially if an inexperienced flooring specialist installs the floor.
Should this happen, the base may not adhere as it should. The faster-than-average curing time also increases the likelihood of mistakes creeping in. Finally, if you need an external application, polyurea is not ideal as it will turn yellow with age.
Overall, polyaspartic gets top marks except for its price. However, that’s easy to overcome. By laying a polyaspartic top coat, we protect the underlying polyurea base. You receive the protection you need at an affordable cost.
Epoxy vs. Polyurea vs. Polyaspartic
For this comparison, we’ll take another step back in time. Epoxy is the granddaddy of most modern floor coating materials and is still popular today. It’s not hard to understand why so many people use it, but it’s not the best option.
Where epoxy excels is its price point: It is the least expensive option, but saving money comes at a cost here. Epoxy is a very thick liquid that doesn’t flow into the concrete pores as well as with other options.
Therefore, epoxy will lift sooner than its rivals. It’s also not UV-resistant and will turn yellow and brittle over time. However, the worst feature of epoxy for most users is the curing time. Expect to wait at least a week to ten days for it to cure enough to walk on.
Polyurea and polyaspartic are move-in ready within a day or two.
The Winner Is …
While there is much to be said in favor of all three coating options, it’s clear that polyaspartic is the best choice overall. Its durable finish and resistance to UV exposure make it ideal for most clients.
While it is more expensive than the other options, you recoup your costs over the product’s lifetime. Not only will your flooring last longer, but you won’t need to spend as much on maintaining it.
Unlike with painted or epoxied floors, there is no need for touchups or refinishing every few years. Your polyaspartic top coat will keep the underlying layers looking as good in five or ten years as they did new.
All it takes is a regular washdown with soapy water to maintain that shine.
Speak to Locust Grove’s Flooring Specialists Today!
Is it time to revamp your floors? Give Concrete Coatings a call at (678) 782 7580 or contact us through our website. Speak to us about our premium options in Locust Grove and the surrounding areas, and learn how we can transform your space.
We work with polyurea and polyaspartic to give you the best of both worlds at the right price. Speak to us about our flake flooring, 100% satisfaction guarantee, and one-day installation.
