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Do you know what polyurea floor coatings are? Polyurea is a unique and versatile polymer material used in a variety of industries, from automotive to industrial and construction. It is formed by the reaction of a polyisocyanate with a polyamine, resulting in an extremely flexible, strong, and durable elastomer, making it an ideal material for a range of applications.
As a polymer, Polyurea has become increasingly becoming popular for floor coating. In fact, many now prefer it to epoxy coating. But why? Are there any specific reasons polyurea floor coatings can be a better option then epoxies? Let’s talk about that:
Polyurea Floor Coatings: Main Benefits Over Epoxy
Here are just some of the benefits of polyurea floor coatings:
1. Increased Durability
Polyurea floor coatings are known for their extreme durability. This makes them well-suited to heavy traffic areas, or areas subjected to accelerated wear and tear. Polyurea coatings are resistant to chemical spills and staining. This makes them well-adapted to industrial and commercial applications where concrete floors are punished by a large number of hazards.
2. Quicker Installation
Polyurea floor coatings can be installed in much less time than epoxy floor coatings because the curing process is much faster and efficient. A short installation makes polyurea particularly well-suited to projects that require a quick turnaround due to the cost of downtime. When a machine shop has to be stopped because of a floor renovation and the application of new safety markings for instance, the extra cost of a quick-curing polyurea floor coating will be insignificant compared with the cost of the extra downtime imposed by other types of materials like epoxies.
3. Improved Flexibility
Flooring contractors familiar with polyurea floor coatings know their ability to stretch and move with the surface below is one of the key advantages of this polymer. In applications involving a lot of movements, such as warehouses or garages, polyurea clearly dominates the contest with epoxies. Why is this flexibility so important?
This property helps to protect the floor from cracking and damage. Concrete is not stable: it expands and contracts with humidity and changes in temperature. When you lay down a hard epoxy on it, the movement of the concrete subjects the epoxy to tensions that will inevitably result in sublayer cracks. As time progresses, these cracks will make their way to the top layer of epoxy and the floor will progressively lose its impeccable aspect.
4. Stronger Resistance to Hot and Cold Temperatures
Polyurea floor coatings are more resistant to extreme hot and cold temperatures than epoxy. The weather does not affect this type of coatings, which makes them a preferred choice for outdoor applications such as walkways, pool decks, staircases, etc.
5. Easier to Maintain
Every clean-up team will tell you that polyurea floor coatings are much easier to maintain than epoxy coatings. They do not require any special cleaning materials or methods. All you really need is a vacuum cleaner and a damp mop. The clean-up tasks is faster, with a better outcome. Vacuuming removes debris liable to scratch the surface of the coating.
So… Epoxy or Polyurea Floor Coatings?
When choosing between polyurea and epoxy coatings, consider first the environment in which the coating will live. Polyurea is a better option for areas that exposed to extreme temperatures and the natural movements of a concrete base. Polyurea is also a good choice for time-sensitive projects, because of its shorter drying time and ease of application. Epoxies, on the other hand, are a better choice for decorative surfaces because of their glossy finish and resistance to chemical spills.
The Role of a Flooring Professional
If you are unsure of which material to choose, consult with a professional like MotorCity Floors and Coatings. We are based in Novi, MI and operate across the entire Detroit Metro area. We serve families and businesses, both in the commercial and the industrial sectors. As professionals in the floor coating business, we have tried many different materials and brands across a wide spectrum of applications: garages, basements, walkways, patios, pool decks… Also, machine shops, warehouses, fabrication shops, parking lots, school gyms, etc. You benefit directly from our long experience in the floor coating industry and will avoid making a bad decision based on wrong criteria.
If you are considering a floor coating project in the Detroit area, don’t hesitate to call us to discuss the project. We may not win your bid, but we’ll do our very best to advise you properly.
MotorCity Floors and Coatings offer premium concrete floor coatings using a combination of polyurea and polyaspartic materials. We achieve coatings that are four times stronger than epoxy. If you want durable concrete floor coating in Michigan, get in touch with us today and find out what our product can do for your business or home.
