Over a period of a few years, polyaspartic and polyurea floor coatings have become quite popular. Because of their ability to cure quickly and durability, many contractors prefer these floor coatings over epoxies. For those who cannot spend a day without their garage, polyaspartic and polyurea coatings are fast becoming their number one choice. Because when installing epoxy, the garage cannot be used for roughly five days, but with these coatings the equipment can be moved back into the garage in a few hours’ time.
Polyaspartic and polyurea coatings never turn yellow thanks to their 100% UV stability. These coatings don’t show scratches, like polyurethane. Most applications are stain and chemical resistant and can withstand a high amount of heat. As well as the shiny high gloss finish, polyaspartic and polyurea coatings are also quite flexible, which makes them resistant to impact.
The two biggest benefits of polyaspartic and polyurea coatings are the fast cure time and drastic temperature range. These coatings can be applied in temperatures as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit or as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Their curing process is so fast that it allows the project to be completed in less than a day as the primer and color are applied first then the clear coat.
Polyaspartics and polyurea coatings typically run $2 to $3 more than an epoxy and polyurethane system costs per square foot. The average pot life is 20 to 30 minutes depending on the formula. The material cost of polyaspartics and polyurea coatings is about two times as much as epoxy. It’s also important to know that polyaspartics are not all the same as epoxy.
Polyaspartics and polyurea coatings are cured faster if installed in a humid environment. These coatings don’t tolerate battery acid as epoxies and polyurethane do. It helps to have flakes added for texture with these coatings as Polyaspartics and polyureas are very slippery when wet. To help prevent slippage, a slip-resistant aggregate can also be added to the top coat.
There are always pros and cons to various coatings, and all coatings must be chosen on the demands of the environment they will be used in.
If you are interested in installing a floor coating and would like more information about the different options available, feel free to give us a call. At Transylvania Concrete Coatings, we have state-of-the-art equipment and a properly trained team with years of experience. Give us a call or send us an email for your flooring needs today!