Epoxy vs. Polyaspartic: Which Flooring System is Best?
For homeowners, businesses, or commercial spaces, epoxy and polyaspartic flooring systems remain the best solution to your concrete coating needs. However, among the two, which is best? While both epoxy and polyaspartic are ideal products, they offer different strengths that will vary depending on the project at hand.
1.) Cure Time
One significant difference between epoxy and polyaspartic coatings is their curing time. A question customers should always ask is, “When do I need this space to be operational again?” Epoxy will take longer to fully cure (roughly 5 to 7 days), but will be hard to the touch in about 12 hours. Polyaspartic, on the other hand, is ideal for spaces that need to get up and running again quickly (such as commercial or industrial projects) as it will be hard to the touch in only a few hours, and able to take light foot traffic within the day.
2.) Durability
One great quality about epoxy is that it cures to be very hard, enabling it to resist damage quite easily. However, this also means that epoxy, when cured, can be somewhat rigid. This can become an issue during the Canadian winter months when concrete shifts and expands. By contrast, polyaspartic, while extremely tough, also cures with a degree of elasticity to it. This ensures that the coating system is both durable and flexible, making it more resilient to damage.
3.) UV and Chemical Resistance
Epoxy, given its durability and cost value, is preferable for customers who need a space coated that sees limited sunlight and/or chemical usage. The UV from sunlight can cause discoloration in epoxy coatings over time, as can spills and exposure to a variety of chemicals. Polyaspartic, by contrast, is both UV and chemical resistant, making it an ideal coating for outdoor areas such as a porch or patio, or industrial spaces where a variety of chemicals are used. However, for homeowners or customers where UV and chemicals are not a factor, epoxy remains a great choice—particularly given its cheaper cost over polyaspartic.
4.) Installation
Lastly, a significant difference between epoxy and polyaspartic coatings lies in the application process. Given it cures at a slower rate, epoxy is far more forgiving and could even be done by a homeowner given the space is small enough. With polyaspartic coatings, however, professionals are always recommended given how quickly the product begins to cure once the installation process begins.
What Now?
At Cipkar Epoxy, many of our projects combine both epoxy and polyaspartic coatings, ensuring that your floor receives the most effective treatment possible. Particularly with garages, basements, and commercial spaces, we will apply a strong, durable base coat of epoxy to ensure that the concrete base is properly secured. Then, we will apply a flexible UV and chemical resistant top coat of polyaspartic so that your flooring is protected—and aesthetic—for years to come.
