So, it’s time to give your garage floor some extra protection and a facelift. You’re sick and tired of having a stained and cracked garage floor and want it to be nicer to look at rather than just grey and dull. Applying a floor coating is an excellent solution to these problems, since garage floor coatings add a layer of protection to your garage floors, protecting them from damages, making them more durable, increasing their lifespan, and making them much more visibly appealing. 

You may find yourself stuck between polyaspartic vs epoxy floor coatings, though. They both have their pros and cons, and when it comes to any kind of investment, you want to ensure that you’re making the right decision for you. Here’s what you need to know about the differences between polyaspartic vs epoxy floor coatings so that you can make the best choice for you. 

The Differences Between Polyaspartic Vs Epoxy Floor Coatings

Why is there even a question of polyaspartic vs epoxy floor coatings? Aren’t all floor coatings created equal? Does it really matter that much if you choose one over the other? The fact of the matter is that while polyaspartic and epoxy floor coatings do have similarities, they also have significant differences, which makes deciding between polyaspartic vs epoxy a decision that goes beyond simply whatever the closest flooring company offers. 

What Is Polyaspartic?

In order to understand the differences between polyaspartic vs epoxy, you’ll need to know what each kind of coating is. Polyaspartic is a type of coating that was invented in the 80’s by a leading chemical company, Bayer Material Science. It’s a kind of polyurea floor coating meant to resolve the issues present in polyurea coatings, and has become one of the best floor coating materials available on the market today. 

The Pros 

There’s a reason why so many people go with polyaspartic vs epoxy coatings, and that’s because of their many advantages, such as:

• They’re UV stable, meaning that they won’t fade or discolor over time.
• They’re incredibly quick to install. With polyaspartic’s fast-curing time, you can get back on your garage floor within 24 hours, making it a more time-efficient process.
• They’re very durable and strong. They adhere and harden to your floors fast, and will last a lifetime.
• They’re resistant to chemical damages and staining.
• They’re easy to maintain – all you need to do is wipe them down!
• They don’t chip.
• They’re extremely customizable. You can have your polyaspartic floors look however you envision with their wide range of colors and quartz and chip styles. 
• There’s no hot-tire pickup.
• They’re resistant to abrasion.
• With a grit-additive, they’re skid and slip resistant.
• They’re good for both indoor and outdoor applications.
• They’re six times stronger than epoxy.

The Cons

Nothing is perfect. When deciding between polyaspartic vs epoxy floor coatings, you need to be aware of the disadvantages of both so that you can decide which ones are deal-breakers and which ones you can live with. Some of the cons of polyaspartic floor coatings include:

• They require professional installation since they cure so fast. Trying to DIY this kind of floor coatings would result in an uneven and patchy floor. For some, the necessity of hiring professionals to install a floor coating is a big con.
• They can be slippery when there’s no grit-additive mixed into the top coat. 
• They do cost more than epoxy, though the price difference is typically marginal.

What Is Epoxy?

Epoxy is a type of resin that, when mixed with a hardener, creates adhesives, primers, and floor coatings. It’s extremely popular due to its durability and gorgeous finish, similar to polyaspartic coatings though it comes with complications that polyaspartic coatings do not.  

The Pros

With any decision, such as polyaspartic vs epoxy, you need to know the advantages of both! Epoxy is very popular for a reason – it has a lot of advantages. Here are some of the pros of epoxy floor coatings:

• They’re both beautiful and customizable. With their range of color options, your garage doesn’t have to be dull and grey, but can get a makeover to look how you want it to.
• They protect your floors from damages, such as from chemicals, water, impact, and more. 
• They’re less expensive up front than polyaspartic floor coatings. 
• They can be used for both residential and commercial applications. 

The Cons

Yet, there’s a reason why people waver on polyaspartic vs epoxy coatings, and that’s because both have their downfalls. Here are some of the disadvantages of epoxy floor coatings:

• Epoxy needs to be replaced every five years, as soon as it starts showing signs of wear, making it less durable and more expensive in the long run.
• It isn’t UV resistant, meaning it fades and discolors.
• It has very strong fumes, necessitating PPE for installation.
• It has a very time consuming installation process with it taking 5-10 days to cure.
• It has hot tire pickup.
• It can be slippery, which makes your garage less safe.

Polyaspartic Vs Epoxy Floor Coatings: Which Is Better?

Both polyaspartic and epoxy have their benefits, but if you’re trying to decide between polyaspartic vs epoxy floor coatings, we recommend polyaspartic, due to its increase of advantages, longer lifespan, and better durability. If it’s time to install a garage floor coating, look no further! Solid Custom Garage Floor Coatings provides top quality garage floor coatings to improve the appearance and functionality of your garage floors. Contact us today for your free estimate to get started on bringing your vision to life!