Whether you’re reflooring a high-traffic living area or simply looking to refresh your damaged garage floor, concrete floors coatings offer an ideal solution for a variety of applications. But it’s important to understand that not all concrete coatings are created equal. While epoxy floor coatings have long been the go-to, polyurea concrete floor coatings are quickly becoming the new standard for innovative commercial and residential concrete floor coatings; but what’s the difference?
Although the properties of polyurea and epoxy floor coatings are quite similar, the real difference lies in the greater quality and durability that you’ll enjoy when choosing a polyurea coating. Here are just a few of the benefits of choosing polyurea over epoxy for your concrete coating project.
1. Polyurea is Extremely Durable
High-quality polyurea concrete floor coatings can withstand a lot of abuse, from harmful impacts and extreme pressure to harsh chemical agents that would normally compromise the integrity of traditional epoxy coatings. In fact, polyurea coatings are so strong and durable that they are often used in commercial and industrial facilities that require heavy-duty floors. They are also waterproof, UV-stable — meaning they won’t discolor due to constant UV exposure — and they contain no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Polyurea can also withstand extreme temperatures, making them resistant to delaminating, patching, and peeling, which is often experienced with epoxy.
2. Polyurea Coatings are Strong and Fast-Curing
One of the biggest benefits of polyurea coatings is that they are fast-curing, usually taking only one to two hours to harden and only one day to be ready for use. This is where they earned their nickname, “one-day concrete floor coatings.” Traditional epoxy can take days to cure properly and depend on several factors, from heat and humidity to the quality of floor prep. With polyurea coatings, you’ll spend less time dancing around areas that have been treated in your home, and you won’t have to worry about compromising the integrity of your coating during the curing process. Because polyurea dries so quickly, it is considered more of a tool for professionals as opposed to recreational DIYers. So, if you do choose polyurea, make sure to have a qualified professional install it to ensure its longevity and efficacy.
3. Polyurea Looks Great and is Easily Maintained
While both epoxy and polyurea are easy to clean and maintain, polyurea floor coatings create a strong, non-bubbling polymer with a crystal-clear finish. The anti-wear and anti-skid qualities also create an exceptional protective barrier for your concrete floors, plus its smooth surface makes cleanup and maintenance a breeze. Simply run a mop over your floors — or even rinse them down with a water hose — and voila, clean floors. As previously mentioned, polyurea coatings are also resistant to harsh chemicals, so if you choose polyurea as an interior option, it will stand up to bleach or any other industrial cleaning agent you may use to keep your floors clean. Unlike epoxy coatings, polyurea also expands and contracts with the concrete, meaning extreme temperature changing won’t lead to cracking or flaking.
4. Polyurea Makes Your Floors Safer
Polyurea is a great choice if you are concerned about the safety of your concrete floors. Whether you have little ones or elders running around, choosing a versatile non-slip surface with full paint chips can reduce the chance of an accident when the floors are wet. Also, unlike epoxy, polyurea concrete floor coatings do not emit harmful VOCs — they are antibacterial and nontoxic. So, even if your kids decide to eat off of them, your loved ones and pets will be safe around your concrete surfaces.
5. Polyurea Coatings Come in a Variety of Colors and Finishes
Safety, durability, and strength are great, but your concrete floors should look great as well. With polyurea coatings, the days of dull, prison-like gray concrete are a thing of the past. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of colors, designs, and pattern options that can bring your space to life and enhance the look and feel of your home or commercial space. You can customize your concrete coating with one or multiple colors, and even add decorative chips to turn your concrete floors into a genuine showpiece. Whatever option you choose, you’re getting a strong, anti-skid, impact-resistant floor coating that will shine like new for years to come.
These are just a few of the benefits of polyurea concrete floor coatings. While they may be more expensive than traditional epoxy coatings, we believe they are worth the additional investment as they are proven to last longer and be safer. We do recommend that you hire a professional to install your concrete floors coatings. Polyurea can be extremely difficult to work with, and it’s best not to waste time and money experimenting. Give us a call at (972) 393-3991 or visit our new showroom at 2865 Market Loop in Southlake. We’ll be happy to talk to you about your options and pricing for your project. As always, the consultation is free, and there is no obligation.
About Our Supplier
At Clarity Windows and Doors, we use only the finest polyurea floor coatings from Penntek. Penntek has been manufacturing industry-leading, award-winning concrete coating products since 2010. Click here to learn more about Penntek concrete floor coatings.