No, polyaspartic coatings do not turn yellow with age or UV exposure. The confusion comes from the similarities between polyaspartic coatings and epoxy and polyurethane coatings, which are both more likely to turn yellow over time.
To best understand why polyaspartic is UV stable, a homeowner must know the differences between the three and conclude which ones work best for their property. The Armor Coating Co. team explains their differences and why polyaspartic does not turn yellow.
The Differences Between Epoxy, Polyaspartic, and Polyurethane
While they are similar products, epoxy, polyaspartic, and polyurethane provide varying benefits. Before deciding which works for you, read on to see the subtle differences between the three options.
Epoxy Floor Coatings
To create epoxy, you mix two chemicals right before application to create a resin. This resin comes in three formulas: 100% solids, water-based, and solvent-based. Each of the three types offers different levels of thickness.
The 100% solids type offers the thickest, hardest, and most impact-resistant characteristics, making it the most effective of the three. Epoxy bonds well to prepared concrete and is easy to work with.
Epoxy provides a solid and efficient coating for your concrete surface and is scratch and abrasion-resistant. However, this coating system requires a long cure time, up to five days. There are specialty UV-resistant formulas, but even those will turn yellow with constant exposure.
Polyurea Coatings
The most common use for polyurea is the top coat over an epoxy floor. Polyurea bonds ineffectively to concrete and requires a coating between itself and your flooring. It does offer several benefits over epoxy, making it a worthy top coat choice.
There are varying types of polyurea coats, with different pros and cons. We’ve listed the two most common below:
- Aromatic polyurea — the cheaper of the two, offers high performance but is not UV resistant.
- Aliphatic polyurea — nearly double the cost of aromatic but is extremely UV stable.
Polyurea is not as hard as epoxy but provides a more scratch-resistant surface. It’s also more flexible and chemical-resistant than epoxy.
Polyaspartic Garage Floor Coating
Polyaspartic coatings provide similar benefits as polyurea coatings, except you can use polyaspartic as a complete coat. It bonds well to concrete, eliminating the need for an epoxy base coat.
Because of its exceptional adhesion abilities, you can use a polyaspartic coating as a top or full coat, offering a longer working lifespan than other concrete coatings. The 100% solids polyaspartic coatings also have little to zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Benefits of a Polyaspartic Concrete Floor Coating
For a few reasons, many professionals prefer polyaspartic concrete coatings over epoxy or polyurea coatings. We’ve listed some of the main benefits below.
UV Resistance
For highly resistant coatings, choose polyaspartic. This resistance is critical in outdoor areas exposed to the sun every day. Epoxy yellows quickly, and polyurea will also wear with time, making polyaspartic coatings your best bet for UV exposure.
Fast Curing
The cure time for polyaspartic flooring is, at maximum, 24 hours. However, many formulas cure in less time. This quick-curing formula offers a fast return to service and allows you to walk or drive on it sooner than the other options. Choosing a polyaspartic coating helps you save on labor costs as well.
Abrasion Resistant
Though all coatings offer some abrasion resistance, polyaspartic coatings are more flexible and hold up better than their counterparts. Flexibility allows the floor to give in tiny increments, lessening impact damage.
Which One Best Works for You?
If you need a coating anywhere that light will affect its color, choose polyaspartic coatings in Duluth. However, there is more to consider when searching for an inside location.
Typically, design and style dictate which coating works for your needs. Our experts can mix colored flakes and pigments into polyaspartic coats, improving the appearance of your floor.
If you are still determining which works for you, our team can help you decide between them. We’ll offer insight into which one fits your goals and requirements.
Reach Out to Armor Coating Co.
Armor Coating Co. is here to help with all your floor coating needs. We’ve focused on concrete flooring for years, perfecting our technique and performance. We’ve got the experience to provide exceptional work and aim to please with every job.
We offer a 15-year warranty and a satisfaction guarantee on floor coatings for all our customers. We also provide effective salt pit removal services at an affordable price.
For a long-lasting and attractive coating, you need us! Contact Armor Coating Co. at (715) 934-9037 for your polyaspartic coatings today in Duluth, MN.