Take a look at your floor. Does it need some work? Are there cracks and stains? Has it seen better days? Maybe It’s time for an update. You could splash some paint on it and call it a day — but there’s no added protection with that paint. You could fix the wear and tear and leave it as is; it’s just a floor, but then you may encounter the same problem in a year or two. What to do?
One way to save your floor is to install an industrial coating on the material. This will protect it for years to come. But, what kind of coating? Well, you can go with an epoxy coating — or there’s always polyurea coating. So, which is better? Let’s see if we can clear up the matter for you.
Epoxy Coatings
First, let’s get something straight — epoxy coatings and polyurea coatings are not paint products. Yes, some paint you can use for floors does have epoxy material in them which can make it more durable than paint without epoxy. However, an epoxy coating is a thermoset resin that acts as a barrier. It shields your floor’s material from harm.
Epoxied floors are water-resistant, stain-resistant, and can withstand contact with abrasive chemicals. This makes epoxy a perfect choice for high-traffic areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, and basements in residential homes, as well as commercial showrooms and warehouses. Epoxy can be cleaned quickly and easily with a mop and a mild cleaning solution, making it a low-maintenance flooring option. It’s a great product if you want to resurface your floor and make it spring back to life.
However, there are a few downfalls when it comes to the material. Using an epoxy coating isn’t appropriate in a location that’s frequently exposed to direct sunlight. UV rays cause epoxy to turn yellow over time, which can alter the color of the flooring. Plus, it can take a very long time for an epoxy coating to cure. And if you put it on incorrectly, the life of your coating will not last very long.
That’s not the only problem with epoxy coatings. If your tires get extremely hot from riding on asphalt all day, and you park your car on your epoxy coated floor, it may stick to your tires and tear easily away. Plus, epoxy coatings are not 100 percent stainproof. Your floor can still be damaged by chemicals like oil, gas, and salt. So less expensive, yes but you may be doing it again in the near future.
Polyurea Coatings
Polyurea coatings are waterproof and impact resistant. Polyurea is incredibly flexible, so it handles the changing temperatures. It is also chemical resistant, so gas, oil, wine, and salt have little to no effect on it. The color won’t fade in direct sunlight, and it’s 20 times stronger than epoxy. Plus, the cure time is extremely fast — it takes only a day before the coating is completely cured.
And that’s the one issue with polyurea coatings. Since it does set up extremely fast, you need to know what you’re doing. If this is the first time you’re working with this material, it’s best to call a professional to handle the situation. Without the right person for the job, you could install the material improperly and have to have it reinstalled.
So which material is right for you — polyurea or epoxy? We know which one you should choose, but it’s up to you. We would love to help you with your project and answer any question you may have. Is here to help. Contact us at 940-898-9988 or email us at info@claritywindows.com today to learn more.