- March 31, 2022
It may be time to put a durable coating on your concrete floor if it’s old, worn out, or has cracks. Resurfacing your garage floor, driveways, workshops, plane hangars, and others will not only beautify them but make them safer.
When it comes to concrete resurfacing and coating, you have two major options: epoxy coatings and polyurea coatings.
The experts at AmVet Concrete Coating, a company that specializes in concrete floor coatings in the Melbourne, FL, Palm Bay, FL, and Sebastian, FL areas, have done an in-depth analysis of both options to help you determine which one is best for you.
What is Epoxy Floor Coating?
Epoxy coatings are made from polyamine hardener and epoxy resin. It’s a 100% solid epoxy coating that produces a strong, glossy layer that seals the porous concrete. Epoxy floor coating has different thickness levels and has a strong bond with concrete.
They do, however, have some disadvantages. For instance, the color might fade dramatically with time, especially when exposed to sunshine frequently. It also requires frequent repairs and maintenance due to its rigid nature.
What is Polyurea Floor Coating?
Polyurea is an elastomer material created by a chemical reaction involving a two-part combination. It has a rubbery texture and is 20 times stronger than epoxy. Its elastic nature makes it extremely attractive, waterproof, and more impact resistant. Unlike epoxy floor coating, the color of polyurea coating will not fade due to exposure to sunlight.
Polyurea Coatings vs. Epoxy Coatings & Concrete Resurfacing
Below are some differences and similarities between both options:
- Preparing the Floor: You need to prepare your existing concrete floor for additional flooring. Compared to epoxy flooring, polyurea coatings are more forgiving and hold stronger even if the floor is not properly prepared.
- Installations and cure time: Epoxy requires up to 6 to 8 days to bond properly. However, polyurea dries quickly when applied to a concrete garage floor; you can walk on it within 8 hours and drive through it after 24 hours.
- Maintenance: As mentioned above, epoxy floors can get cracks and holes, which may require regular maintenance. However, Polyurea Concrete Resurfacing is resistant to cracks and lasts longer.
- Durability: Both products are exceptionally durable for the majority of their uses. However, polyurea is more durable in the long run.
- UV Protection: There are times when epoxy might yellow under the urethane, especially in lighter hues. Urethane-based technology is used for Polyurea coatings, which provide excellent UV protection.
- Flexibility: Epoxy floor coatings have no flexibility due to the material they’re made of. Polyurea, on the other hand, is very flexible and elastic.
- Tire Lifting on a Hot Day: On unevenly treated flooring, polyurea penetrates better and, as such, is less susceptible to tire lifting.
- Resistance to Oil: polyurea due to its unique nature is less prone to stains like oil and other stains from your car or other sources, compared to epoxy floor coatings.
Epoxy Or Polyurea Coatings: Which is Better?
Both epoxy and polyurea coatings have a lot in common, but polyurea comes out on top. The end product of a polyurea floor coating is a beautiful, smooth garage floor that resists oil, chemicals, grease, intense heat, and tire marks. Polyurea Concrete Resurfacing comes in a variety of colors and flake blends, allowing you to personalize your floor.
People that opt for epoxy floor coatings do so mostly because of budgetary constraints or a lack of proper information. But while epoxy flooring is less expensive for short-term use, it’s not always the best choice, as it often requires replacement after a few years.
Benefits of Polyurea Concrete Coatings
- As previously stated, polyurea is four times stronger than epoxy. It also has 98% more flexibility than epoxy. It’s made of elastic material, which makes it very durable and long-lasting, so it doesn’t split or peel.
- You can use polyurea in high heat or cold, and it works just as well in different seasons.
- Furthermore, since Polyurea is extremely scratch-resistant compared to epoxy, it’s more ideal if you have pets.
About Amvet Concrete Coating
Amvet Concrete Coating is a concrete coating company in the Melbourne, FL, Palm Bay, FL, and Sebastian, FL areas. They offer cutting-edge concrete coatings for a wide range of residential and commercial applications and budgets.
Their Concrete Coatings team has the experience, skill, and technology to address all of your home and business flooring demands, no matter the size.
They can handle concrete resurfacing for residential garage floors, pool decks, patio decks, driveways, workshops, plane hangars, and more.
Speak to their Flooring Experts
Old, worn-out concrete floors are unsightly and can affect the appeal of your home or business. The experts at AmVet Concrete Coating are ready to help you get a long-lasting concrete coating that can withstand a lot of use for years to come.
Contact them today at 321-735-8655 to speak to a concrete flooring expert about your needs and budget.
RESIDENTIAL Polyurea/EPOXY Concrete Coatings
- Driveways
- Garage Floors
- Pool Decks
Fill out the form below to schedule a FREE Residential Concrete Coating Estimate near Rockledge, Palm Bay, Sebastian, Melbourne, FL and all of Brevard County.
As a seasoned expert in concrete floor coatings, I've delved deep into the intricacies of both epoxy and polyurea coatings, and I can confidently provide insights into their characteristics, advantages, and applications. Concrete resurfacing is a critical aspect of maintaining various spaces like garage floors, driveways, workshops, and more. In this realm, the choice between epoxy and polyurea coatings is pivotal, and the article you provided explores this dilemma in detail.
Epoxy Coatings: Epoxy coatings, composed of polyamine hardener and epoxy resin, create a robust, glossy layer that effectively seals porous concrete. Notably, these coatings vary in thickness and form a strong bond with concrete. However, they exhibit some drawbacks, such as potential color fading over time—especially with frequent exposure to sunlight—and a rigid nature requiring regular repairs and maintenance.
Polyurea Coatings: Polyurea, an elastomer material resulting from a chemical reaction, boasts a rubbery texture and stands out as 20 times stronger than epoxy. Its elastic nature contributes to its attractiveness, waterproofing capabilities, and increased impact resistance. Unlike epoxy, polyurea coatings maintain their color even when exposed to sunlight, and they are less prone to cracks, offering enhanced durability.
Comparative Analysis: The article meticulously compares epoxy and polyurea coatings in various aspects:
-
Floor Preparation: Polyurea coatings are more forgiving and maintain a strong bond even with less meticulous floor preparation compared to epoxy.
-
Installations and Cure Time: Polyurea has a quicker drying time—allowing for walking within 8 hours and driving after 24 hours—while epoxy requires 6 to 8 days for proper bonding.
-
Maintenance: Polyurea is more resistant to cracks, offering longevity, whereas epoxy may require regular maintenance due to its propensity for developing cracks and holes.
-
Durability: Both options are durable, but polyurea tends to outlast epoxy in the long run.
-
UV Protection: Polyurea, utilizing urethane-based technology, provides excellent UV protection, avoiding issues like yellowing under urethane, which epoxy may experience.
-
Flexibility: Polyurea is flexible and elastic, in contrast to the rigid nature of epoxy floor coatings.
-
Tire Lifting on Hot Days: Polyurea's better penetration on unevenly treated flooring makes it less susceptible to tire lifting.
-
Resistance to Oil: Due to its unique properties, polyurea is less prone to stains like oil compared to epoxy floor coatings.
Conclusion: The article concludes that while both epoxy and polyurea coatings share commonalities, polyurea emerges as the superior choice. Its benefits include exceptional strength, flexibility, resistance to various elements, and a wide range of customizable options.
About Amvet Concrete Coating: Amvet Concrete Coating, specializing in concrete floor coatings in Florida, offers cutting-edge solutions for residential and commercial applications. Their expertise extends to concrete resurfacing for various spaces, emphasizing durability and aesthetic appeal.
In summary, if you're considering concrete resurfacing, especially in the Melbourne, FL, Palm Bay, FL, and Sebastian, FL areas, opting for polyurea coatings from Amvet Concrete Coating could be the key to achieving a long-lasting, visually appealing result.
