Polyurea coatings are quickly becoming favorites among concrete contractors and homeowners. They are more durable than epoxy and tend to be resistant to mold and mildew. Furthermore, they are more economical and easier to apply. It also won’t yellow, chip or peel. This blog will discuss the benefits of polyurea coatings and why polyurea is a better choice than epoxy. Read on!
What is Polyurea?
Polyurea is considered a polymer and an elastomer, meaning that it is a synthetic polymer with rubber-like characteristics. Polyurea compounds can be formulated to have several different properties and vary in hardness. At Armor Coating Company we can customize it to suit your preferences and also improve its flexibility and strength. This is why it is one of our popular concrete coating materials.
Why is Polyurea Better Than Epoxy?
From the outside, it can be hard to determine how these materials differentiate. However, similar to any construction materials you could need, several options are available in the market. Below are the qualities that make polyurea better than epoxy.
Durability
Generally, epoxy is widely used for its durability. You can use them for your garage floor coating since they can withstand chemicals, stains, withstand tire marks, general impact, and scratching. However, if you frequently pull into your garage after long drives, the heat emitted by your car’s tires will wear down the epoxy coating in a short period. UV heat also leads to yellowing and wearing the epoxy within your outdoor floors.
Polyurea is UV resistant and won’t turn yellow due to sunburn. This makes it an excellent option for your garage interior and exterior floors. It also has more resistance to scratches, impact, and spills than epoxy.
Longevity
The durability of polyurea and epoxy determines the amount of time each of the coats last on your floor. Epoxy coatings usually last between 3-5 years before you begin seeing wear and deterioration. This means that you may soon be looking to repair them, which adds to the total cost of initial installation.
On the other hand, polyurea is highly durable. It comes with a guaranteed life expectancy of approximately 15 + years. This makes it a better investment for your garage.
Cost
Epoxy is available at your local hardware shops, and you can quickly purchase it for your DIY project. To install a square foot of epoxy, you will pay approximately three to seven dollars, although the cost may shoot up to twelve dollars. Installing polyurea is costly compared to epoxy. This is because polyurea is durable and lasts longer than epoxy coatings. The standard cost for a single-bay garage with polyurea coatings inclusive of Southwest exteriors is approximately $2,200 or about $7-12 per square foot.
Prep Module
Both polyurea and epoxy require special prep on the concrete before installation. Preparing the concrete for epoxy requires you to sand the surface to make it smooth, although the most critical step is acid etching.
Preparing for polyurea requires filling cracks, hollow spots, or pits and adding a densifier to reduce the moisture in the concrete, or fastening the hardening process. Afterward, the concrete will be ground using a diamond grinder to smoothen the surface and make it even.
Cure Time
Depending on the location and condition of your concrete coating, epoxy can take up to 5 days to cure, which may inconvenience you in the long run. Polyurea coating requires only 24 hours to be completely cured and ready for use. This means you can walk on it after 6 hours of installation, but you will have to wait for 24 hours to pack your cars.
However, you should note that humidity and temperature affect the curing time of your preferred coating. Installing during a hotter period will foster quicker curing. Similarly, installation in a more humid condition incurs a longer curing period.
Get a Free Quote Today
Whenever you are looking for a luxury garage coating in the Northern Wisconsin Tri-State Area, Armor Coating Company is your best choice. Get in touch with us today and request a free quote. Let us give your floor the care and maximum attention it requires.