What are the differences between epoxy and polyurea, and which is better? We'll compare qualities like cost, work cure time, and durability.
Epoxy is known and heavily advertised for its durability for garage floor coating. It can withstand marks, chemical stains, scratching, and general impacts. However, if you constantly pull into your garage after a long drive, the heat from your tires will wear down on the epoxy within a few years. Polyurea is more durable than epoxy and more flexible. Because it is an elastomer, it's also chemical resistant. It can withstand stable heat up to 266 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit for a shorter time. UV heat will also wear and cause yellowing in epoxy outdoor areas. While polyurea is UV resistant and will not yellow in the sun, making polyurea an excellent option for outdoor patios, pool deck driveways, and sidewalks.
Epoxy coatings typically last three to five years before you see any wear or deterioration. This means that you're going to find yourself needing to replace that coating sooner rather than later. Polyurea is more durable than epoxy and has a life expectancy of about 15 years. This product is meant to last you a lifetime. So looking at it all together, polyurea will last you at least a decade more than an epoxy coating.
Epoxy is a popular product you can buy. It typically costs three to seven dollars per square foot, but some epoxy coatings can reach the 12 range because polyurea coatings are more durable and will last longer. They're going to be more expensive than an epoxy coating. The average cost for a single bay garage, polyurea concrete coating with southwest exteriors, is about two thousand dollars, so while polyurea is more expensive than epoxy, you're paying for the longevity and durability that it will give you. You'll get your money's worth.
Both epoxy and polyurea concrete coatings require special prep done to the concrete. Preparing a concrete surface for epoxy can consist of smooth sanding the surface, but acid etching is more popular. This is when you scrub a mixture of acid diluted with water into the surface. Acid etching is the only option for a home DIY job and is still prevalent in the professional industry. For a polyurea, coating preparation starts with filling in any cracks, pits, or open spots, then grinding down the concrete with a diamond grinder until the surface is even and smooth, depending on the type of preparation chosen for epoxy. The two processes are similar. However, acid etching can be a dangerous and potentially harmful preparation tactic to get into, especially if you plan to do it yourself.
The cure time refers to the time it takes for the product to harden entirely on your concrete. Depending on your concrete's location, epoxy can take up to five days to completely cure. The coating can cause a massive inconvenience for you. A polyurea coating, on the other hand, cures in one day. Compared to epoxy, a polyurea coating will save you days on that cure time. So you can walk and park your car approximately 24 hours later. However, it must be noted that temperature and humidity will affect the cure time. The hotter both products are, the faster they'll cure. And inversely, the more humid it is, the longer it will take to cure. While outdoor conditions can cause that cure time to vary.
No matter what, choosing a winner when comparing two different products takes a lot of work. If you want your choosing which product you want comes down to your need-worthy goals. Polyurea is an excellent solution if you want your concrete coating to be durable and last with minimal upkeep. If you're moving out of your home soon and want to spruce up the garage less expensive, the epoxy option would be better for you.
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