Ever since the construction of the first concrete floor, humanity has searched for a way to protect and beautify the surface. Epoxy coatings have been around for some time and have been popular protectors of concrete floors. Fairly new to the party, polyurea polyaspartic coatings have quickly become the darlings of those who want a fast dry time. Let’s examine each of these contenders and see how they stack up against each other.
Advantages of Epoxy Coatings:
Not expensive
Creates a hard, beautiful finish
You have many finish options, including colour and mix-ins
Highly durable
Resistant to chemicals
Good adhesion — won’t lift
Long pot life, allowing application with a manual gun
Disadvantages of Epoxy Coatings:
Less flexible and less resistant to abrasion
Can be somewhat difficult to apply in hot or cold conditions
Has a long drying time
Has potentially hazardous vapors, although new formulations address this
May not be colorfast — subject to fading or yellowing from UV exposure, though many formulations include UV protection
Cannot be applied when temperature below freezing
Advantages of Polyaspartic Coatings:
Easier application in a wide variety of weather and temperature conditions
Hard, smooth finish that is stain- and scratch-resistant, good for high-traffic areas
Clear and non-sticky when dry
Fast drying times, cures to full strength in 1/2 to 1 hour
Colours and decorative chips available
Colour-fast, even when applied to slightly damp concrete
Low VOC's and odour
Low viscosity gives it good wetting ability on concrete, but requires reduced percentage of solids
High, controllable film build-up
Less likely to bubble from out-gassing
Disadvantages of Polyaspartic Coatings:
Relatively new product, professional application recommended
Short pot life
Two to three times more expensive to purchase and apply
Must avoid high moisture vapour emission rate conditions when applying
Might have to thin the first coat for better adhesion
Doesn’t stand up as well to battery acids
Very slippery when wet, so a top aggregate such as chips recommended
Non-Slip Floors Australia has years of experience perfecting epoxy flooring. Our epoxy flooring contractors are here to transform the look of your business. Contact us today to learn how we can help. 0420 540 063