Do you know what your greatest asset is? It’s not your art pieces or expensive collectibles. It’s your house.
If you own a $300,000 home that you’ve paid $100,000 towards, the remaining $200,000 contributes to your overall net worth. That being said, you both need and want to protect every corner of it. This includes your garage.
By applying a coating to your garage floors, you can shield them from scratches and spills. Out of all the options available, you’ll find that no product can do the job quite like polyurea and polyaspartic floor coatings.
Unlike epoxy, these materials are both durable and UV resistant. The installation process is pretty simple as well. Continue reading to learn more about these concrete coatings and find out why more homeowners are choosing polyaspartic.
What Is Polyaspartic Floor Coating?
Polyaspartic coatings are a type of polyurea coatings. Polyurea first came out on the market back in the 1990s. During this time, they were mostly used to keep steel bridges in pristine condition. Once coated, metal will gain protection from UV rays and corrosion.
Today, garage owners can apply the same durable shield to their concrete floors. The process is quick and easy.
The installer will pour ribbons of the coating on your floor and spread it out, either with a roller or squeegee. Once the first layer dries, they’ll apply a second top coat of a polyaspartic polyrea coating to lock in the protection.
If you want to add any non-skid properties to your floor, this is when the installer will do that. They’ll apply it over the final layer of the coating before it completely dries.
What Is Epoxy Floor Coating?
Epoxy floor coatings are made up of a hardener and an epoxy resin. Much like polyurea coatings, when poured on a garage floor a chemical reaction takes place that bonds it to the concrete.
It’s an affordable coating option that’s somewhat durable. It also comes in several styles and colors.
To apply it, installers will use a brush to paint it around the edges of your garage. Once that’s done, they’ll use a roller to spread it across the rest of the floor.
Challenges of Epoxy Coating
Again, epoxy coating is both an affordable and attractive option for many homeowners. There are a few things that you should know before you invest in it, however.
It Produces Strong Fumes
While wet, epoxy produces strong fumes that can spread from your garage to the rest of your home. If you have anyone living with you that has asthma, it can be enough to disrupt their breathing.
It can also cause eye and throat inflammation. Lung irritation isn’t an uncommon side effect as well.
When applying the coating, you’ll need to wear a respirator that contains an acid filter.
It Chips and Cracks
If you’re like most other homeowners, your garage sees a lot of foot traffic. You drive a heavy vehicle in and out of it almost every day. That’s where floor coatings come in.
They place a protective shield on your floors that allow them to withstand general wear and tear. In terms of durability, epoxy is most likely your weakest option.
It won’t be long after installation that you’ll begin to notice surface chips and cracks. It’s not a good long-term solution.
It Takes Too Long to Harden
Once you apply your epoxy floor coating, you’ll have to wait a while before you can use your garage again. It has a curing time of a few days.
In some instances, it can take a full month for the coating to cure completely. During this time, you won’t be able to drive your car into your garage.
Installation Is Tedious
The installation process may seem simple enough, but it can be pretty tedious. You can’t apply epoxy at all until you’ve cleaned every bit of oil and grease off your floor.
The installation instructions are a bit strict. If the moisture levels in your garage exceed a certain point, the moisture can damage the coating or keep it from adhering properly.
You also have to let the epoxy floor finish drying before you add a second coat. If you don’t, you’ll probably end up having to start over from the ground up.
Maintaining It Is Expensive
Epoxy floor coatings are much cheaper than the other types that are on the market. This is offset by the expensive maintenance, however.
Since cracks and chips are commonplace, you’ll probably have to replace the coating often. Or at the very least you’ll need to reapply a sealant or top coat to ensure you protect the epoxy. As you can imagine, this can get pretty pricey.
It’s Slippery
Resin coatings are non-porous. This means that they become slippery when they get wet.
You can combat this flaw by adding a layer of silica sand to the final layer of epoxy. It will drive the price up, but it’s better than falling.
It’s Cold
Walking across epoxy floors barefoot can be a bit cold. The only way to prevent your toes from freezing is to have a heating system installed under your floors.
Be warned that this process isn’t cheap. Keeping one running will also cause your power bill to go up.
It Fades
Epoxy coating isn’t UV resistant. The sun’s rays will beat down on it and cause it to fade as time moves on.
That means if your garage is well-lit by natural light, you may want to choose polyaspartic instead. The sun has no effect on that sturdy coating material.
Are There Any Benefits of Epoxy?
Again, the main benefit of epoxy coatings is their affordability. It can sometimes cost a dollar (sometimes a couple dollars) less per square foot than polyaspartic polyurea.
Epoxy is also resistant to battery acid, and you can have it customized basically any way that you want.
Why Choose Polyaspartic Instead?
If you’re looking for a coating that will last, polyaspartic polyurea has you covered. Not only is it durable, but it’s also resistant to UV rays.
The installation process is quick, it’s safer to use than epoxy, and the maintenance is straightforward.
UV Resistance
As it’s exposed to sunlight, epoxy will begin to break down. This will cause the material to fade and become discolored. Some homeowners complain about it turning a nasty yellow color.
Polyaspartic concrete coating systems are resistant to UV rays. No matter how much it’s exposed to the sun, it will keep its original shine.
Maintenance Is Simple
When it comes to cleaning your polyaspartic garage floors, you don’t need any special products. A simple mop and bucket will suit your needs fine.
On top of regular dusting and mopping, you’ll also need to spot-treat spills when they happen. Don’t let oil and grease sit on the floor for long periods.
If the floor does manage to stain, the coating’s decorative flaking should be enough to cover it up.
It’s Durable and Long-Lasting
Epoxy coating expands and contracts when faced with extreme temperatures. That’s what makes it so vulnerable to cracks.
The heat doesn’t do the same to polyaspartic coatings. This material is also durable and flexible, making it unlikely to chip.
When faced with heat, epoxy will peel if you drive your car across it. Polyurea coatings won’t because the material is chemically bonded to the concrete.
The Installation Process Is Quick
It takes about a day to install polyaspartic floor coating and several hours to dry before returning to service. In comparison, epoxy takes a couple of days to install and just as long to cure.
Depending on the weather, it may take even longer to apply epoxy to your floors, if it can even be installed at all. The material isn’t easy to work with in extreme temperatures.
Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings aren’t as sensitive to temperature or weather. That means there will be no disruptions in the installation process.
It’s Safer Than Epoxy
Polyaspartic produces less odor, and is not dangerous. Since it doesn’t give off any toxic fumes, you don’t have to worry about it disrupting your breathing if you have asthma.
Working with it also won’t irritate your lungs or eyes, so you won’t have to wear a respirator if you decide to go the DIY route.
High Quality
Polyaspartic is used in many commercial settings because of its durability. Some finishes even have a beautiful granite-like finish that businesses and homeowners love.
It has to be professionally installed, so it typically has a smoother appearance than coatings that you can DIY.
Are There Any Disadvantages of Polyaspartic Floor Coating?
There are a few disadvantages to installing polyaspartic floor coating. The main one for some people is the cost.
It’s also not something you should DIY, and while the material is durable, it doesn’t stand up well to battery acid if not cleaned up.
It’s Costly
If you’ve got a floor coating budget, you should know that polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are expensive.
The good news is that due to the durability of the material, you won’t have to have it replaced for a while. Polyaspartic coatings also aren’t as expensive to maintain as epoxy because it isn’t necessary to deal with regular re-coating to keep them looking good.
Installation Can Be Tricky
Installing a polyaspartic coating isn’t a simple matter. To get the best results, you’ve got to spread it evenly across the floor.
You have to mix the coating fast because it has a short pot life. If you don’t work quickly, it will harden before you get the chance to apply it to your floors.
Since the coating dries so quickly, there’s no room for errors during the installation process. If you mess up, you’ll be stuck with the results.
How Long Do Polyaspartic Floors Last?
Polyaspartic floors can last the lifetime of your floor, depending on how you use them. With the proper maintenance and care, you’ll have an extremely long-lasting and beautiful floor.
There may come a time when you become tired of the style of your floors and feel the need to replace the coating. This process is generally simple for polyaspartic floor coatings, as they can be scoured and a new layer of coating applied over the top.
To extend the lifespan of your floors, be sure to keep them clean.
Where Is Polyaspartic Used?
Polyaspartic coatings are mostly used in the garage. Some homeowners also use it throughout their basements, laundry rooms, workshops, and utility rooms. Since polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are so versatile, many people use them in their living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens as well!
It can be placed on metal to shield it from corrosion, which is why it’s used in industrial settings. Due to its UV-resistant properties, some homeowners use a specifically designed polyaspartic on their rooftops as well.
Can You Place Polyaspartic Coating Over Epoxy?
The answer is yes, sometimes. You can place a polyaspartic coating over an old epoxy one if the epoxy is completely intact with no signs of wear and tear.
This process would start by sanding the old epoxy. From there, you vacuum up the dust and wipe the floor down with a solvent. After that, the garage will be ready to receive a fresh coat of coating.
While this might seem like a way to save costs, a real coating expert would recommend removing the epoxy coating completely and applying the polyurea coating directly to the concrete for the absolute best adhesion.
Choosing Between Polyaspartic and Epoxy
As a homeowner, it’s important to protect every part of your investment. That includes your garage.
The best way to shield your concrete garage floors from scratches and spills is with a polyaspartic floor coating.
While polyaspartic is pricier than epoxy, it’s more durable and easier to maintain. Since it’s odorless, it’s safer to work with than epoxy as well. It’s resistant to UV rays and it can last for decades.
Are you ready to begin the polyurea and polyaspartic installation process? Go here to find your location and set up an appointment today.
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