Key Differences Between Epoxy Polyaspartic Coatings

Epoxy vs. Polyaspartic: Understanding The Difference Which Is Best

As concrete floors continue to increase in popularity in garages, commercial buildings, and homes, consumers often look for a way to protect and beautify their concrete floors in hopes of making them even more functional and attractive. Epoxy floor coatings have been available for many years and are a popular option that is both extremely durable and easy to clean. A newer floor coating option, polyaspartic coatings are frequently chosen by people who are looking for many of the features of epoxy with a faster drying time. So which Gilbert garage floor coating is best for your home or building? 

Examine these key differences as you decide which floor coating is the right choice for your home or garage.

Epoxy Floor Coatings

From a scientific standpoint, Gilbert epoxy garage floor coatings are composed of epoxide units, which are three-atom ether rings that also contain one oxygen atom along with carbon. In most circumstances, an epoxy floor coating application is made up of an epoxy primer, a color base coat, and two layers of polyurethane. 

Epoxy floor coatings offer many advantages, including:

• They are an inexpensive floor coating option
• Epoxy offers a hard, beautiful finish for your flooring
• Endless color and mix in options mean every epoxy floor coating is uniquely personalized to match your tastes and preferences
• Extremely durable and help extend the life of your concrete floor
• Resistant to chemicals, staining, and damage
• Good adhesion to concrete – won’t peel or lift off with use

Like any other flooring options, epoxy coatings do have a few disadvantages when compared to polyaspartate coatings. Epoxy is less flexible and less resistant to abrasion than other types of floor coatings. Application can be complicated or inconvenient, since the coatings take multiple days to dry and will not apply well in very hot or cold conditions. Epoxy floor coatings can also be subject to yellowing from UV exposure, although many formulations include UV protection and some colors will hide mild discoloration better than others.

For many homeowners and business owners,Gilbert epoxy garage floor coatings are an excellent choice for kitchens, living rooms, and other high traffic rooms around the home, as well as in garages, shop buildings, commercial buildings, hospitals, factories, and more. The endless finish options make epoxy floor coatings popular among people who want a unique look to their flooring.

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings

First introduced in the 1990’s, polyaspartic coatings are a compound made from aliphatic polyisocyanate reacting with polyaspartic ester. By adjusting the amount of ester within the formula, scientists have been able to develop multiple types of polyaspartic coatings with differing characteristics and strengths for different applications. When utilized in garage floors, high amounts of ester are used in the formula, which means low emissions and a very fast drying time.

Gilbert polyaspartic garage floor coatings produce a glossy, water-like appearance with a variety of color options for a personalized look. Decorative chips are also available and can be spread across the topcoat while it is still wet, similar to epoxy floor coatings, so that the end result matches the personality of the home or business owner. Homeowners may want their polyaspartic floor coating to complement their décor, while business owners may enjoy reflecting their company’s colors within their flooring.

There are many advantages to polyaspartic floor coatings:

• Application is fast and easy, and can be performed in a wide variety of weather and temperature conditions for greater convenience to the home or business owner
• Cures to its full strength in as little as 30 minutes, shortening the time where business production must stop during its application
• Can be applied to slightly damp concrete
• Results in a hard, smooth finish that is clear and not sticky
• Resistant to stains and scratches, making polyaspartic coatings an excellent choice for high traffic areas of homes or businesses
• Colors and decorative chips can be added for a personalized appearance/li>
• Holds its color even in the presence of UV rays
• Low VOCs and odor

Although Gilbert polyaspartic garage floor coatings can be a perfect choice for almost any flooring application, it’s good to be aware of their disadvantages. As a relatively new product, we don’t know as much about its long term features. Polyaspartic floor coatings are 2-3 times more expensive than epoxy floor coatings. Although generally very durable and resistant to staining, they cannot stand up to battery acid as well as epoxy floor coatings can, so they are not the ideal floor coating for every industry. They also become very slippery when wet, so chips or other aggregate materials are recommended. 

Both epoxy and polyaspartic floor coatings are excellent choices for increasing the lifespan, function, and strength of concrete floors in homes, garages, businesses, and commercial applications. Their differing advantages and disadvantages mean that there is a perfect floor coating choice for everyone!

Top Quality Epoxy and Polyaspartic Floor Coatings in Gilbert

Barefoot Surfaces has extensive experience perfecting floor coatings for homes and businesses. Our contractors are knowledgeable, friendly, and respectful, and can help transform your floor with a beautiful and durable floor coating. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate!

Barefoot Surfaces
740 E Redondo Dr
Gilbert, AZ 85296
Phone: 602-931-7656
Email: ricr@309.2c2.myftpupload.com
Website: https://barefootsurfaces.com/