When choosing a durable, long-lasting floor coating for your home or business, there are two options to remain supreme. Epoxy floor coatings and polyaspartic floor coatings. While both coating options provide excellent floor protection and can be aesthetically designed to fit any space, they each have distinct differences that may affect which coating option is best for you. Let’s explore these differences side by side and see which option is right for you.
Epoxy Floor Coatings
Chemical Composition
Epoxy coatings are a type of polymer that is formed by mixing an epoxide resin with a polyamine hardener. This results in a chemical reaction that creates a rigid yet durable coating that bonds and adheres well to concrete surfaces.
Application and Curing Time
Epoxy typically takes between 1-2 days to cure and should be applied in a stable with low humidity. The application of epoxy floor coatings often requires multiple layers including a primer, a base coat, and a top coat. With each layer, additional time is needed to cure before the next layer is applied.
Durability
Epoxy provides great abrasion and chemical resistance which makes it a good choice for high traffic areas. While epoxy is highly resistant to chemicals and other solvents, it is not UV stable and can yellow when exposed to direct sunlight. This makes epoxy less suitable for outdoor applications.
Price
Generally, epoxy materials are less expensive than polyaspartic floor coatings. However, epoxy is used primarily for indoor applications.
Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
Chemical Composition
Polyaspartic floor coatings come from polyurea, which is derived from the chemical reaction between a polyaspartic ester and an aliphatic polyisocyanate. The result of this chemical reaction is a more flexible coating which cures much quicker than epoxy.
Application and Curing Time
Polyaspartic floor coatings will cure much faster than epoxy, often in as little as a few hours. Polyaspartic floor coatings have a single layer, which can be applied in a wider range of temperatures and humidity levels, making it a more versatile, and quicker to install product.
Durability
Polyaspartic floor coatings offer superior resistance to epoxy both in terms of durability and chemical resistance. In addition, polyaspartic floor coatings are UV stable, which makes it a good choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Price
Generally, polyaspartic materials are more expensive than epoxy floor coatings. However, epoxy is used primarily for indoor applications, while polyaspartic can be applied both indoors and outdoors.
Why Choose Performance Floors & Coatings?
Finding the right coatings company for your concrete floors is an important endeavor. Luckily, for Tampa and Palm Beach homeowners, Performance Floors and Coatings is a reputable floor coating installer for just polyaspartic coatings, and can help you pick the best coating for your home. We’re committed to helping you find the right coating by laying out all the options available and ensuring you receive the right type of coating for your concrete floor.
Get A Free Quote
Are you a Tampa or Palm Beach homeowner considering installing new floor coatings for your concrete? If so, you need to get in contact with the experience coating professionals at Performance Floors. At Performance Floors and Coatings, we have the industry knowledge and first hand experience that allows us to match you with the right concrete floor coating for your home or business. To find out more about our concrete coating options, get in contact with us today and we will help you find the right coating for your floor.
