You may have seen that your friends, family, or neighbors have polyaspartic or epoxy garage floor coatings. But what is the difference?

At Garage Floor Masters, we can provide you with the services and installation for either. But before you decide, it’s best to know the difference between the two so you can know which will be the right fit for your home.

What Are Garage Floor Coatings?

Garage floors are layers of material that are spread over traditional concrete garage floors. They then harden, providing a layer that helps protect against moisture, cracking, chipping, and other wear and tear, allowing for the garage floor to be preserved for much longer.

Polyurea and epoxy garage floor coatings have become increasingly popular as people are drawn to the modern appearance, the customizable options, and the durability of the materials. While epoxy has been a go-to option for a number of years, polyaspartic has gained some attention for its benefits as well.

That’s why it’s important to know the distinction between polyurea and epoxy garage floor coatings when you are choosing the right fit for your home or business.

What Is Epoxy?

Epoxy is a resin-based coating that’s a mixture of an epoxide resin and a hardener. It’s evenly spread across a surface and after curing and hardening, it becomes a thick surface that can resist most abrasions and household chemicals. Though it takes multiple days to harden, it is a reliable option that is a great choice for any home.

Here are some general things to keep in mind in your decision process:

Pros of Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings

• Good resistance to stains & chemicals
• Cost-effective
• Available in a variety of colors & finishes

Cons of Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings

• Long curing time (up to 72 hours)
• Can yellow or discolor with UV exposure
• Not flexible, so it can have temperature-related expansion & contraction
• Prone to cracking & peeling over time

What Is Polyaspartic?

Polyaspartic is an advanced type of polyurea, which is a flexible but hardy substance, that is specifically designed to be used for floor coating applications. Though polyurea has been used as a garage floor coating by itself, polyaspartic has greater UV stability and versatility.

They are known for their high durability, rapid cure times, and ability to be applied in a wide range of temperatures. This makes it a nice choice for installation year-round.

Pros of Polyaspartic Coatings

• Cures in just one day
• Long-lasting
• Flexible & resistant to cracking
• Excellent adhesion to concrete
• UV-stable (won’t fade or yellow)
• Can be applied in a wide range of temperatures
• Resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and moisture

Cons of Polyaspartic Coatings

• More expensive upfront cost
• Surface can become slippery when wet unless a non-slip additive is used
• Some formulations may have a strong odor during application

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the two – polyaspartic vs epoxy garage floor coatings – and determining which is right for you, there are a few key differences that stand out.

• Curing Time: Epoxy takes longer to dry, often needing between 1-3 days to fully cure, which means a longer amount of time that you won’t be able to use your garage. Polyaspartic, on the other hand, cures rapidly and usually only needs about 24 hours before you are able to use your garage again.

• Durability: Though both epoxy and polyaspartic offer protection against wear and tear, polyaspartic is more durable and provides more resistance to abrasions, chemicals, and moisture than epoxy does.

• Flexibility: Polyaspartic tends to be more flexible in comparison to epoxy so it is less likely to crack with temperature or slight movements in the concrete. Epoxy tends to be a bit more rigid, which can result in some cracking with changes in temperature.
  
• UV Resistance: Epoxy coatings tend to fade in color or yellow over time when exposed to sunlight. Polyaspartic coatings are better able to withstand UV exposure and still maintain its color.
  
  
• Lifespan: Polyaspartic coatings tend to last longer than epoxy. Epoxy coatings generally last between 5-10 years and polyaspartic can last up to 15 years with the right care and installation
  
  
• Installation: Though some people will try to DIY epoxy floor coatings, both provide the best results for adhesion and finish when installed by a professional company.
  
• Cost: Epoxy is a cheaper option up front, though it may require more maintenance and upkeep costs. Polyaspartic is more expensive up-front, but may be cheaper in the long run.

Get Your Garage Floor Coating Today

Both polyaspartic and epoxy garage floor coatings offer their unique benefits to help improve the quality and longevity of your garage. Not sure what you need? Reach out to our technicians at Garage Floor Masters today!