Choose Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Over Epoxy. Here’s Why?
Things are heating up in the flooring fandom. Epoxy and polyaspartic floor coatings have been at each other’s throats for a while now. The steady popularity that epoxy enjoyed for decades is challenged by polyaspartic’s rising approval among real estate circles.
Epoxy Vs. Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
Epoxy is essentially a resin polymer comprising units individually known as epoxides. Usually, epoxy resin is formed in a reaction between bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin. However, the epoxy poured on concrete is made by reacting novolac and aliphatic epoxy resins.
Polyaspartic coatings were introduced for the first time in the 1990s. It was developed by making polyisocyanate react with polyaspartic ester (a diamine). Note that aliphatic polyurea is very different from regular polyurea, in fact as far as floor coatings are concerned, aliphatic polyurea is better.
Manufacturers can regulate the amount of ester to make different kinds of polyaspartic coatings.
Applying epoxy on a floor will generally begin with a primer, base coat with color followed by 2 layers of polyurethane.
Polyaspartic coatings produce a transparent glossy finish over grey concrete. This coat can be colored as per the property owner’s choices. Some installers will also add decorative chips to improve grip.
Is Polyaspartic as Durable as Epoxy?
Yes. Polyaspartic floor coatings are in fact more durable than epoxy floor coatings. Polyaspatic is flexible and significantly more resistant to abrasion than a regular epoxy floor. As the epoxy layer is exposed to the sun, the material hardens to the point it is excessively brittle and cracks under impact. It also does not exactly look aesthetically pleasing as ages and wears yellows the epoxy. Polyaspartic on the other hand is completely impervious to UV rays.
Do Polyaspartic Coatings Require Any Sort of Preparation?
Polyaspartic floorings are standalone and do not need elaborate preparation procedures. Polyaspartic multifunctions as a primer, primary layer, and topcoat. It chemically adheres to concrete and even epoxy flooring. So yes, if you’ve been wondering whether polyaspartic coatings can be laid on top of an old epoxy floor? Yes, it can be.
The transparent finish can be prettified by adding colors or decorative flakes and chips.
Ready to Replace Epoxy with Polyaspatic?
Polyaspartic coatings cure to maximum strength in an hour. If you’re looking for a garage/patio/warehouse/showroom floor that can be installed (from preparation to curing) within 24 hours, polyaspartic is your guy. Note that under no circumstances does a faster cure time equal lower strength. Polyaspartic, as we have established before is more impact and corrosion-resistant.
Another major reason why we favor polyaspartic floor coatings is that, unlike epoxy, it emits no noxious fumes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Zone Garage is Oklahoma City’s trusted provider of 24-hour polyaspartic polyurea coatings. No unsightlier cracked concrete with us. Get a free quote today on our website. We also have easy financing options available.