Polyurea Floor Applications vs Epoxy Floor Applications

Epoxy Floor Cost

This is an excerpt taken from the website, www.costhelper.com. It’s purpose is to provide an unbiased opinion to consumers who are interested in purchasing a service but have no idea what kind of price range to expect. For the full article, and to learn more about the positive and negatives of epoxy flooring, visit the website @ “http://home.costhelper.com/epoxy-floor.html“

Typical costs:

There are three categories of flooring epoxies: 100% solid epoxy coatings are the most expensive, and are typically used by professionals on commercial floors, while solvent-based and water-based epoxies both contain about 40%-60% epoxy. Water-based epoxy paints are thinner and easier to apply but less durable than solvent-based epoxy coatings, which are thicker, cover more imperfections in the concrete floor, require workers to use respirators when applying, and typically cost more than water-based systems. Costs for just the epoxy can start at about $30-$50 a gallon for water-based epoxy paint, and can be $45-$150 or more a gallon for solvent-based or 100% solid epoxy coatings. A thick coating may require more gallons to cover the same square footage as a thin paint.
A professionally installed epoxy floor typically costs $3-$12 a square foot, or $750-$3,000 for a one-car garage (about 250 square feet) and $1,200-$6,000 for a two-car garage (about 400-500 square feet), depending on the type of epoxy used and number of coats applied, and the application method (roller, squeegee, sprayer or trowel).
A do-it-yourself epoxy floor kit can cost $50-$600 or more, depending on the type of epoxy, the square footage the kit will cover, the number of coats required and the number of tools and other materials included in the kit. A solvent-resistant brush, a roller or squeegee, goggles, rubber gloves, a plastic water pail or other items may be required, costing up to $200. The application process typically requires two workers. ThisOldHouse.com provides written instructions[1] for applying an epoxy paint kit with a roller and brush, estimating this easy to moderate project takes nine hours spread over three days and costs about $120 to $160 per car bay, or $240-$360 for a typical two-car garage.

Polyurea Floor Cost:

Similarly to epoxy, the purity of the polyurea will affect the price, but the industrial hybrid type used most commonly on garage floors runs about 35% less than a comparable epoxy, and we install about 10-12 gallons of polyurea as oppose to 2-3 gallons of epoxy on a typical garage floor.

FAQ

How long does polyurea last compared to epoxy?

Polyurea lasts indefinitely, in all environments. Epoxy can last a long time but most deteriorate over time in challenging environments.

Can i use polyurea or epoxy outdoors?

Polyurea works just as well in indoor applications as it does outdoors. It can be installed in very challenging environments and still performs exceptionally. Epoxy is generally not recommended for outdoor use. It cannot handle contracting and expanding that occurs naturally outside due to temperature change.

I’m considering these products for an outdoor application. will the sun or uv rays have any effect on them?

Polyurea is unaffected by UV damage (fading/chalking/yellowing), while epoxy is, in most cases susceptible to UV damage over time.

Will temperature have any effect on polyurea or epoxy?

Polyurea can be installed in temperatures ranging from -20F to 250F. Epoxy can only be installed in temperatures above 50F and should not exceed 85F.

Heavy objects will be dragged across the floor. will polyurea and epoxy hold up similarly?

Polyurea is extremely resistant to abrasion, and will never crack or chip under extreme weight. Epoxy is not as resistant to abrasion as polyurea, and could crack or chip.

Will polyurea or epoxy peel or delaminate over time?

If the floor is prepped correctly, both products will adhere extremely well. However, epoxy is susceptible to “hot tire pick-up” (tires heating up from driving) and can peel up with the tires. This will never happen with polyurea.

I’ve used epoxy products in the past and they cracked over time, will polyurea do the same?

Epoxy cures to a very hard surface. It cannot handle expanding and contracting the way polyurea does. Polyurea has elongation properties more than 50X that of epoxy. Because of this, it is extremely capable of handing expansion and contraction of surfaces.

Which of your products would you recommend for a residential or light industrial garage floor?

We recommend the M91 Hybrid Polyurea for residential and many commercial flooring jobs. It is extremely tough, yet more cost effective for many homeowners and small businesses who do not need industrial grade pure polyurea designed for construction for their floors.

How long before i will be able to walk on the floor again?

Polyurea can be walked on within 30 seconds and can be used for light use in 2 hours. After 24 hours, it is ready for heavy use. Epoxy installs and cures withing 6-8 days, depending on the epoxy.

Are polyureas applied at the same thickness as epoxies?

Polyurea is usually installed at 80-120mils and is complete the same day. Epoxy is typically installed at 10-15 mils, and in rare occasions as thick as 30 mils, but this requires up to 7-8 coats and can take 6-8+ days.

Will my floor have added traction with the application of polyurea or epoxy?

Polyurea can create varying degrees of floor traction naturally depending on the varying techniques of the applicator. Epoxy always requires additives to create any kind of traction on the floor.

Epoxy products all seem to generate strong odors that linger while curing, will polyurea do the same?

Polyurea is nearly odorless while curing, and has been described as having the same smell as new rubber. Epoxy has a very strong odor while curing and it is recommended that people avoid breathing the fumes during the cure process.

Do polyureas and epoxies come in many colors?

Yes, both products are available in many colors.

Are these products considered "green" products?

Polyurea is considered green as it has no VOC’s and is 100% solids. Epoxy is not considered a green product as it is extremely high in VOC’s.

For additional questions, please feel free to contact us at 808-784-0072 or 808-979-1197