Polyurethane Flooring v/s Epoxy Coatings – Which is Right for You?

If you’re deciding on a flooring option for your home floors, you will likely be faced with several material choices. These range from wood to carpet. However, two of the most common options available on the market today are epoxy coatings and polyurethane flooring.

If you’ve narrowed down your list of options to these two choices, you may find it difficult to make a final decision. If that sounds like the dilemma that you are facing, you should first understand the pros of each option available to you.

Epoxy Coatings

Epoxy floor coatings tend to be tougher and more durable than polyurethane flooring. This is because, in comparison, epoxies are harder and have a higher compression strength. They are also highly resistant to the action of corrosives such as sulphuric acid.

This durability means that it is often the flooring of choice when it comes to industrial settings like factories, warehouses, garages, and other spaces that see a lot of heavy vehicular traffic.

Epoxy is also less sensitive to moisture. The impact of moisture on epoxy is usually limited to aesthetic impacts, such as blushing or discoloring. This makes it a good choice in humid conditions, as you don’t have to worry as much about the effect of weather conditions on your flooring.

Keep in mind that epoxies take longer to cure than polyurethanes. However, they are easier to work with. As mentioned, moisture has less of an impact on epoxy, and epoxy coatings also have a longer pot life as compared to polyurethane flooring.

If you are starting with a damaged concrete surface, epoxy is a better option. This is because it is better at filling in existing imperfections, such as pits and hairline cracks that may exist on the concrete surface.

While it is hard to determine which is more cost-effective, due to the range of color and design options both epoxy and polyurethane offer, epoxy generally requires a lower investment cost.

Polyurethane Flooring

Polyurethane flooring tends to be highly elastic and flexible. This gives it a bouncier feel when you are walking across the surface. It also makes it much more resistant to scratching and other similar damage.

These floors are also able to absorb more impact due to their elasticity. The elasticity also acts as a bridging layer and waterproofer, making it a useful option in spaces like industrial garages.

Another benefit of this flooring is that it performs better in extreme temperatures, particularly extremely cold temperatures. If your room is going to be very cold (or if you’re looking for a flooring option for a walk-in freezer), this is a good option.

Its ability to withstand cold temperatures, as well as the fact it resists the action of food contaminants such as lactic acid better than epoxy does, makes it an ideal choice for spaces such as commercial kitchens and dairies.

One major advantage of polyurethane flooring is that it has a shorter curing time than epoxy. This means if you’re looking to upgrade your flooring quickly, this is the option for you.

However, keep in mind that it is more susceptible to the effect of moisture. This makes it more complicated to lay down, which can result in higher labor costs. It also tends to require a higher upfront investment than epoxy, though, at the same time, it has a longer lifespan.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between epoxy coatings and polyurethane flooring is ultimately dependent on what your requirements from your floors are. If you find yourself conflicted by the choice, feel free to contact Xpedite Coatings at (713)365-0444 today. We’d love to answer any questions that you might have!