The concrete floors in your home often go overlooked until they are in need of repair. Untreated concrete is susceptible to various forms of damage, including chipping, crumbling, and cracking. If you are tired of the constant repairs to these floors, you should consider getting a floor coating.
But it is important to know what kind of floor coating is best. There are many popular options, including Polyurea and Polyaspartic floor coatings, but it is hard to decide which is a better fit for your home. If you are interested in getting a floor coating you should understand the benefits of each of these options before investing.
Our team at Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Montana has taken a look at each so you can make the most informed decision for your home.
Polyurea Floor Coatings
Polyurea floor coatings were initially developed for steel to act as a water-resistant coating. It was created to use in place of the more moisture-sensitive polyurethane. When it was first introduced to the market, polyurea floor coatings were used for truck bed linings, pipe coatings, and tank linings. This durable material is now used as a coating and sealing product for concrete. It is used to protect concrete against staining, grease, and grime.
Benefits Of Polyurea
There are many reasons why polyurea floor coatings became popular among homeowners, including the following:
- Flexible Floor Coating: Concrete floors in your home, including your garage and basement floors, are susceptible to movement as the weight and temperature around them fluctuate. While other, more rigid flooring options might not be suitable for these moving floors, polyurea is an excellent option because it moves with the floors.
- Inexpensive Option: Because of its lower manufacturing cost than other comparable floor coating options, Polyurea floor coatings are an affordable option for homeowners. If you are hoping to renovate a space on a budget, Polyurea may be a better option.
- More Durable: Many homeowners consider getting a concrete coating if their floors are prone to damage. If you want to prevent damage, Polyurea floor coatings are a more durable option, protecting the floors from excessive damage.
Drawbacks Of Polyurea
While this floor coating option has become popular among homeowners, it is not without its faults, including the following:
- It Cures Too Quickly: While we are sure you would like to get back to regular use of his garage as quickly as possible, polyurea floor coatings cure incredibly quickly. While this quick cure time sounds excellent, it may begin to cure before the entire room has been covered. This uneven curing may lead to improper adhesion to the concrete.
- Blistering Coating: When mixing Polyurea floor coatings too quickly, it is not uncommon for bubbles to form. As the coatings are applied, the bubbles may cure into it. Over time, the bubbles may pop and lead to cracking and chipping in the coating.
- Susceptible To UV Degradation: Unfortunately, Polyurea floor coatings are not as resistant to UV rays as other options. Because of this, your polyurea flooring may begin to yellow after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
Polyaspartic floor coatings, also referred to as Polyaspartic Aliphatic Polyurea, were introduced in the early 1990s as a more advanced version of polyurea. When it was introduced, Polyaspartic floor coatings were used for ships, rail cars, bridges, and piers. Now, however, they are a popular option for concrete floor coatings among home and business owners.
Benefits Of Polyaspartic
Polyaspartic floor coatings gained popularity for many reasons, including the following:
- UV Resistance: Unlike its polyurea counterpart, Polyaspartic floor coatings are UV resistant, meaning they will not yellow or tarnish because of sun exposure. This UV resistance means your floors will look nicer for much longer.
- Improved Curing: As mentioned before, a common problem with polyurea floor coatings is uneven curing and adhesion. Polyaspartic floor coatings cure slightly slower than Polyurea, allowing experienced professionals to install it through an entire room before it begins to cure.
- Scratch And Stain Resistance: Whether you’re getting a floor coating in your garage, basement, patio, or porch, these areas in your home come in contact with a lot of grime and experience a lot of foot traffic. When choosing a floor coating for your home, you should consider one that isn’t susceptible to damage, including scratching and staining. Polyaspartic floor coatings are durable and don’t damage easily when exposed to everyday traffic and grime.
Which Is Best For You?
While there are benefits to both Polyurea and Polyaspartic floor coatings, we recommend getting a Polyaspartic coating in your home. Because it is much more resistant to damage, it is more reliable than other floor coating options. Polyaspartic floor coatings may be more expensive upfront, but they are well worth the investment, as you won’t have to worry about making unnecessary repairs. They are also fully customizable, making them a great fit for every room and every home style.
Getting Polyaspartic Floor Coatings With Solid Garage Floor Coatings Of Montana
If you are hoping to get Polyaspartic floor coatings installed in your home, you should work with a team of professionals you can trust. Our team at Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Montana has years of experience and happy customers that make us confident we can create a Polyaspartic floor coating that matches your home perfectly. If you are interested in getting a Polyaspartic floor coating in your home or would like to get a free quote, reach out to our team today.