Epoxy vs Polyaspartic Flooring

When it comes to garage floor coatings, there are two main types: epoxy and polyaspartic. Both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, but there is one clear winner when they are put to the test. Let's take a closer look at both types of coatings and compare them head-to-head, so you can understand better why polyaspartic garage floors are the top choice for garage floors. Before installing polyaspartic flooring, you should have a better idea of which type of coating is right for you!

What is Epoxy Coating?

Epoxy is a type of resin that is mixed with a hardener to create a durable, long-lasting coating. It is often used in residential and industrial applications due to its low price, strength and resistance to chemicals and staining. Epoxy coatings can be applied to concrete floors in both residential and commercial settings.

This type of coating typically comes in two parts that must be mixed together prior to application. Once mixed, the epoxy can be applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying an epoxy coating, as improper application can lead to an uneven finish or bubbling.

How to Apply Epoxy Floor Coating

Before applying an epoxy coating, the floor must be clean and free of any dirt, dust, grease, or oil. The surface should also be etched or sanded to provide a rough texture for the epoxy to adhere to. Once the floor is prepared, the epoxy can be mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and then applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer.

It is important to work in small sections when applying epoxy, as it will begin to harden quickly once mixed. Once the epoxy has been applied, it will need to cure for 48-72 hours before being used. During this time, it is important to keep traffic off the floor to avoid damaging the coating.

Pros and Cons of Epoxy Garage Flooring

Epoxy garage flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its low cost, durability and resistance to staining and chemicals. This type of coating can also be applied in a wide range of colors, allowing you to customize the look of your garage. However, epoxy coatings can be difficult to apply and can become brittle and peel after a few years. These are the reasons epoxy used to be the number one choice for garage floor resurfacing before polyaspartic flooring replaced epoxy as the best option for garage flooring.

Epoxy Garage Flooring Day-to-Day

Epoxy garage flooring is easier to clean than many other types of flooring. If you spill something, it will not penetrate the epoxy, unlike Nature Stone floors that are porous and very hard to keep clean. You should still wipe up spills as soon as possible, but you won't have to worry about them seeping in and causing permanent damage.

When it comes to the long-term durability of epoxy garage flooring, you may expect it to last for several years with proper care, but it will require maintenance. This type of coating is resistant to staining, but can start to fade, peel and yellow after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Epoxy is a very strong material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, but is vulnerable to abrasion, hot-tire pickup, chipping, peeling and cracking.

What is Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

Polyaspartic floor coatings are similar to epoxy in that they are mixed with a hardener to create a durable finish. However, polyaspartic coatings cure much faster than epoxy, typically in just a few hours. This makes them ideal for projects where a quick turnaround is needed. Garage Finisher proprietary Polyaspartic floors are 10 times stronger than epoxy and Polyaspartic coatings are also more flexible than epoxy, which can help to resist cracking, abrasion, peeling, hot-tire pickup and chipping.

The Polyaspartic Coating Process

The process will begin with the installer coming to make an initial assessment of the garage. They'll take into account the size of the space, as well as any existing damage to the floor. Once they have this information, they'll be able to give you a better estimate of the cost and time involved in applying polyaspartic coatings.

Polyaspartic coatings are applied using the same methods as epoxy, including brush, roller, or sprayer. However, due to the fast-curing time of this type of coating, it is important to work in small sections and move quickly. Once applied, the polyaspartic coating will need to cure for just a few hours before it is ready for use.

Polyaspartic coating is more resistant to damage from many sources including:

- Stains

- Chemicals

- Temperature changes

- UV light

- Abrasions

- Hot Car Tires

Polyaspartic Flooring Day-to-Day

Polyaspartic coating gives garage floors a high-gloss, showroom-quality finish that is easy to clean and maintain.  If a layer of large clear beads is added, it is also slip resistant. This type of coating is extremely durable, so it can withstand a lot of wear and tear. If you park your car in the garage, you won't have to worry about the polyaspartic coating being damaged by hot tires or road salt.

Pros and Cons of Polyaspartic Garage Flooring

Polyaspartic garage floor coatings offer many of the same benefits as epoxy, including durability, resistance to staining and chemicals, and a wide range of color options. Additionally, polyaspartic coatings cure much faster than epoxy, making them ideal for projects with a tight timeline. However, polyaspartic coatings can be more difficult to apply than epoxy and may require special training or experience (that’s where we can help!).

Polyaspartic vs. Epoxy: The Showdown

So which type of garage floor coating is right for you? Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each type:

Epoxy

- Can be applied in a wide range of colors

- Can fade over time if in direct sunlight

- Will peel over time

- Will be damage by Hot Car Tires

- Can be very slippery

- Best installed by professionals

Polyaspartic

- Wide range of color options

- 10 times stronger than epoxy

- More Durable and resistant to staining and chemicals

- UV Stable so weathers better in sunlight than epoxy

- Much more resistant to abrasions, chipping, hot tires and cracking

- Better adhesion to the concrete than Epoxy

- Cures much faster than epoxy, making them ideal for projects with a tight timeline

- Best installed by professionals

The Winner: Polyaspartic Flooring

Why You Need a Professional Installer

When it comes to garage floor coatings, it's important to trust the job to a professional.  For most, this is not a DIY project.  If done incorrectly, you will spend a lot of time and money only to end up with a subpar unattractive finish that won’t last nearly as long as intended.  Instead of getting that garage floor you’re proud of, you could end up with a garage floor that’s an embarrassment. A professional installer will have the training and experience necessary to ensure that your garage floor coating is applied correctly and will look great for years to come.

Especially for polyaspartic flooring, you want to make sure that you have a professional installer to ensure that the job is done correctly. Polyaspartic coatings cure very quickly, so if they are not applied correctly, you could end up with an uneven or bubbled finish.

If you're considering a garage floor coating, contact a professional installer today to discuss your options. They can help you choose the right type of coating for your needs and budget, and will ensure that the job is done right.

Which is Better: Epoxy or Polyaspartic?

The answer to this question depends on your specific needs and preferences, but polyaspartic flooring always ranks higher because of its faster installation process and longer term durability. If you need a quick turnaround time and and looking for the most durable floor, polyaspartic is always the better option.  If you are looking for a shorter term fix at a lower price then epoxy may be the better solution. 

When it comes to reviews, polyaspartic coatings tend to have much higher ratings than epoxy. This is likely due to the faster curing time and longer term durability. It is also due to the fact that many installers are able to achieve a higher quality finish with polyaspartic coatings.

If you're still not sure which type of coating is right for you, contact a professional installer today. They can help you choose the right type of coating for your specific needs and will ensure that the job is done right.

The Forever Floor Polyaspartic Flooring

When it comes to polyaspartic flooring, there is one option that stands out above the rest: The Forever Floor. The Forever Floor from Garage Finisher comes in  different colors, and only takes one day to install. The main difference is that a typical polyaspartic floor will have three layers, while the Forever Floor has five layers and uses a proprietary formulation.

Benefits of The Forever Floor

There are many benefits to choosing The Forever Floor for your polyaspartic flooring needs. In addition to the quick installation time, The Forever Floor is also more durable and scratch resistant than other types of polyaspartic flooring. Additionally, the Forever Floor comes with a 'no exclusions" lifetime, transferable warranty, so you can rest assured that your investment will be protected forever.

Garage Finisher's installation process of the Forever Floor is hassle-free. We remove any garage contents during the installation and store them completely free in our enclosed trailer. Plus, if you want to discard anything, we will take care of that for you as well.  The next day after the floor installation we come back and neatly organize your possessions that were stored in our locked storage trailer.

Contact Garage Finisher to Install Your Polyaspartic Flooring and Give Your Garage the Makeover it Deserves

If you're interested in polyaspartic flooring for your garage, contact Garage Finisher today. We are experts in all types of garage flooring and can help you choose the right type of polyaspartic coating for your needs and budget.

Contact us for a free quote today!