Polyurea vs epoxy coatings

[Diversified Surface Tech.]

Hello,New to this forum. My company Diversified Coatings Technologies will be based in Auburn,Alabama and Marietta,Ga. One question I have regarding the two types of coatings is why would the average user want use two part epoxy vs one part polyurea since the polyurea coating does not require limited application time. Two part epoxy can be a thicker coating but for a garage floor it seems polyurea would be the better choice based on cure reaction time and no yellowing over time. Thanks,Steve

 

[Armorpoxy]

Many customers choose epoxy since it is much thicker, and therefore more damage resistant so when comparing thickness vs cost epoxy is a better value, and many of our clients want a thicker floor. Also the 100% solids being thicker is often a better choice for fleck type jobs as the flecks sit in the epoxy deeper a bit.

 

[Diversified Surface Tech.]

Thanks for the response to my post

 

[Ty Webb]

Which is really better for durability, long-term?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Polyurea vs. Epoxy Neat?
Polyurea has a higher level of chem resistance, wear resistance and is UV stable.

 

[Ty Webb]

What is the easiest to apply (lest time/effort) and install for an existing garage floor for the average DIY guy and still get a lasting floor?

Which has the most options for style and color options for a garage floor?

Which is the most cost effective per square foot to install?

Which will stand up and last the longest to average home-owner garage use?

 

[Garage Flooring]

What is the easiest to apply (lest time/effort) and install for an existing garage floor for the average DIY guy and still get a lasting floor?

Which has the most options for style and color options for a garage floor?

Which is the most cost effective per square foot to install?

Which will stand up and last the longest to average home-owner garage use?

First of all this can be different in different applications. Also, it depends on your interpretation of cost-effective. I used to work with architects and builders a lot. Architects looked at life cycle costs where builders looked at what was coming out of their pocket.

For the average garage, Polyurea is more expensive but way easier to install. There are fewer base options but 80+% of garages are gray and the changes in color come in the flake.

Polyurea Garage Floor Kits

Polyurea Projets
Polyurea Installation

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

What is the easiest to apply (lest time/effort) and install for an existing garage floor for the average DIY guy and still get a lasting floor?
POLYUREA KIT

Which has the most options for style and color options for a garage floor?
EPOXY KIT

Which is the most cost effective per square foot to install?
EPOXY KIT

Which will stand up and last the longest to average home-owner garage use?
POLYUREA KIT

 

[Epoxy Floor Vet]

If you are going with an epoxy coating, I would recommend a urethane top coat with aluminum oxide mixed in with it for slip resistance. Epoxy is soft and scratches easily, not to mention “slippery when wet”.

 

[Armorpoxy]

We supply all of our kits exactly this way with topcoat and antiskid.

 

[retired@55]

Hello. New to this forum. I'm building new a new house and pole barn - hope to be pouring concrete in the next week or so. I'm planning to use a polyurea material in both and am concerned about the floors being slippery. The contractor pouring the concrete has offered to give the surface some texture - probably with a light brushing - rather than smoothing it with a power trowel. Is this an acceptable way to make the floors slip resistant? I can foresee it making application a bit more tedious, and probably requiring more material. Wondering if this can offset the cost and labor of adding a slip-resistant additive to the coating.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi, have them make the floor smoother, and use the non skid. A broom finish floor is difficult to coat and can require a LOT more material.

Non skid adds almost no cost to the project and we include for free in our kits. Our most popular nonskid simply gets mixed in to the protective topcoat and rolled out so no real extra labor is required either.

 

[retired@55]

OK. Is there any prep required prior to coating newly poured concrete? I do plan to wait a month and test for moisture with taped-down poly before applying.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Yes, mandatory to prep, the better the Prep, the better the adhesion to eliminate the surface lime. Etching is normally fine, a light grind better.

 

[6sally6]

Brand new house and garage!How long to wait before applying ANYTHING..including concrete floor paint?! Hours Days Weeks?
Thanks
6sally6

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

30 days from pour, minimum.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Rule of thumb is 30 days but that can vary WIDELY based on slab thickness, water in the concrete when mixed, temperature/humidity conditions, air flow in the space, etc.

When you think the floor is dry, use the 'plastic sheet test method' which is where you take a piece of clear plastic sheet approx 4' square. Place in center of floor, tape down well along all edges with duct tape ( not blue tape it doesn't stick well to concrete).
Wait 24 hours. If dampness, or worse, condensation appears you need to wait. If nothing appears you should be good to go.