Polyurea flooring vs. polyaspartic flooring. Those are big and scary words if you don’t know what they mean.
Floors like patios, garages, and mechanical rooms receive a lot of foot traffic and heavy equipment, so it’s important to have flooring that can withstand the wear and tear. Polyurea flooring and polyaspartic flooring are two common options for these types of spaces that require materials that have a durable finish.
Polyurea vs. Polyaspartic: The Difference Between the Coatings
Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are quite similar so it can be difficult to make a distinction between them. The main difference is that all polyaspartics are a polyurea, while not all polyureas are polyaspartic.
Both coatings share the property of being highly adhesive to concrete at the time of installation. This makes both options feasible for base coats, but high-end epoxies and polyureas are often the choice for base coats. Polyaspartic coating has a higher bond strength, making it a superior choice for a top coat finish.
Is Polyurea Better than Polyaspartic Coating?
Polyurea is a two component material that when combined, creates a mixture that hardens within minutes. This is why it’s important for professionals to apply the coating.
A polyaspartic coating has a slightly slower curing time than a polyurea coating, although still fast. The slower curing time allows professionals to apply an even coating to larger surfaces.
Polyaspartic coating is preferred on outdoor surfaces because it is the only coating that is UV resistant. Polyurea coating is preferred for indoor applications since it doesn’t have that UV resistance and is suitable for less abrasive floors.
It is common to mix in a grit additive into polyaspartic coatings due to their slick-ness. The grit additive is simple to add on to the top coat of a garage floor or another type of floor where people will be frequently walking.
Overall, polyaspartics are chemically and technically superior when compared to polyureas. Polyaspartic coating can cover a full flake system in a single coat, have higher solid content, and goes on the floor thicker.
Because polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are similar, they share many advantages, so polyurea is still a highly preferred option for floor coatings. Taking a deeper look at the two coatings can make more of a distinction between the two and help you decide which option is best for you.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Polyurea Coatings
As with any product, there are pros and cons to polyurea coatings. Below you’ll find some of each:
Polyurea Coating Advantages
- Inexpensive: Polyurea coating is more affordable when compared to epoxy and polyaspartic coating. This makes polyurea coatings a great option if you’re looking for something less expensive.
- Rapid Curing Time: As stated earlier, polyurea coatings have a speedy curing time, often setting within a few minutes. A faster curing time is important for homeowners with a short timeline to get the project done. This may be more risky, as the faster work pace could lead to imperfections in the floor coating.
- Versatility: Because polyurea coatings are preferred for indoor environments, it can be used in a wide range of applications. Some optimal options may include hospitals, cafeterias, retail stores, and furniture showrooms.
Polyurea Coating Disadvantages
- Rapid Curing and Pot Life: Rapid curing time can be both an advantage and disadvantage with this type of flooring. The rapid curing time and pot life may be more risky to work with, as the faster work pace could lead to imperfections in the floor coating. Once the coating is mixed, professionals have to be very efficient to provide a spotless and smooth floor.
- Vulnerability to UV Degradation: Because polyurea coatings aren’t UV resistant, they are more susceptible to UV degradation over time. This degradation leaves the floor discolored and spotty.
- Professional Application Requirement: Applying polyurea coatings requires the help of professionals. Individuals looking to do it themselves may find it very difficult to get an even and unblemished floor because of the technicality of application.
Polyaspartic Coating Advantages
- Chemical Resistance: Polyaspartic coatings contain high levels of aliphatic groups, making them a more stable material that can withstand harsh chemicals and UV rays. This is why polyaspartic coatings are preferred for spaces that will hold vehicles and heavy duty machinery that may leak fluids.
- High Gloss Finish: The garages that have a silky smooth and glossy finish can be attributed to polyaspartic coatings. The chemical properties provide the coating with the ability to harden and maintain the glossy appearance, even after a prolonged period of time.
- Low VOC Emissions: A VOC is a “volatile organic compound” refers to chemicals that vaporize when they hit a certain temperature that is typical for indoor spaces. High levels of VOCs can be toxic and dangerous for people to inhale or ingest. Low VOC levels produce less fumes, are better for the environment, and improve the air quality of the space.
Polyaspartic Coating Disadvantages
- Cost: Polyaspartic coatings can run at a high price due to the equipment required for installation and the specialized material of the coating. Polyaspartics are more expensive than polyurea and epoxy coatings.
- Temperature Sensitivity: At the time of installation, polyaspartic coating needs to be in prime temperature and humidity conditions. Extremely high or low temperatures can affect the curing process and cause imperfections in the coating.
- Need for Professionals: Individuals looking to save money by doing their coating themselves may find that they should have hired professionals once they see the difficulty of installation. Hiring professionals may be less preferred for some people, but that is what guarantees a beautiful finish.
Polyurea vs. Polyaspartic Coatings
As some advantages and disadvantages of both types of coatings have been explored, you now have a better idea of which option may work better for your individual needs. Keeping in mind things like aesthetics, timeline, and budget when comparing polyurea vs. polyaspartic coatings can help you make an informed decision.
