When you are seeking a solution for your workspace, especially if you work in an industry that is highly regulated such as pharmaceuticals or food preparation, a few options are considered better than the resin-coated concrete floors.  

When concrete floors are coated with materials such as epoxy or urethane, it creates an extremely hard, sturdy, and durable surface that is easy to clean. In this way, you are able to stay simpler and that too within the regulations (if any) of the government.  

The question arises – what sort of coating is considered the best for your floor? Urethane and epoxy coatings are two common choices among people. Each coating has its own strengths and weaknesses. In this blog, we will break down the options.    

Epoxy Floor Coatings

Epoxy comes in different formulations. It is a thermosetting polymer, it can be water-based, fully solid and also solvent-based. Epoxy coats bind tightly to the floor and also provide a durable and hard coating.  

Industrial coat which experiences traffic and heavy impact from machinery will greatly benefit from the shock-absorbing properties and the durability of epoxy coat.  

Epoxies are also extra resistant to moisture and chemical stains and moisture. Hence, it is useful for the factory floors and similar places. Adding to this, epoxy is also an excellent coating material for renovating and resurfacing the old floors.   

The biggest drawback of epoxy coating is the time it takes to install. In order to install epoxy, you have to prepare the floor thoroughly to prevent the epoxy from going loose on the surface. The epoxy should stick to the surface tightly in order to make it sturdy.   

The time epoxy takes to cure is longer than the time other materials take to cure. Epoxy commercial coatings can also wear over time when it is exposed to the sunlight.     

Urethane Floor Coatings 

Urethane is also used for coating concrete floors. It is also a thermosetting polymer. Urethane is one of the highest performing commercial coatings just because it is flexible, and durable in its application.  

Urethane also comes in a variety of formulations and it differs in its fluidity. The bigger the solid content in the mixture, the higher will be the performance of the urethane coat.   

Urethane coat is also resistant to abrasions such as scratches and drops. Moreover, urethane does not even get yellowish. Urethane is better at retaining sheen and colour, therefore the floor looks neat and clean.  

Here comes the best part and that is the preparation does not take a lot of time. The preparation process for applying urethane coating is considerably shorter than the epoxy coating. This factor alone can help change your decision because time is of a great essence.  

The drawback with epoxy is that urethane may not bond as tightly to the concrete as epoxy does. Urethane has a thin surface film which makes it harder to apply on the small cracks and surfaces of similar sorts.   

Epoxy Coatings Vs. Urethane Coatings  

Which One Should You Go For?  

Price is not a major factor because both are affordable when you think of implementing them on the building’s surface. The cost is similar so you can go for any of the two options. Just consider other factors before making a final decision. To know about the prices, contact Tuff Build.  

Coating Strength – Epoxy Vs. Urethane  

Urethane and epoxy are both quite strong but in a different manner. Epoxy is stronger physically and is resistant to heavy, crushing forces like vehicles, industrial machinery, etc. So, epoxy coating is a great choice for spaces that get heavy traffic.    

On the other hand, urethane floor coating is not as resistant to downward pressure, but it is more resilient against falling damage. 

Urethane is also more heat resistant. This is, however, true that sufficiently hot temperatures can definitely weaken the epoxy.  

Installation Time to Coat Floor  

Both epoxy and urethane will take some time for installation. For that, you will have to prepare the concrete floor which includes the processes such as thorough cleaning, then allowing it to dry completely. Then in the next step, the coating would need substantial time to cure and harden.   

Urethane dries faster than epoxy but installation takes at least two days in both cases. However, epoxy can sometimes need three to four days to dry and harden. Moreover, epoxy is also sensitive to humidity and moisture. Even a little moisture can slow down the drying process.   

Chemical Resistance 

If your place experiences spill quite often, then epoxy will be a better option than urethane. Epoxy is more resistant to both bases as well as acids. Frequent spills on the floor can cause the material to weaken urethane floor so in such a case, epoxy would be the best choice you can make.  

Flooring Cleanliness 

Both epoxy and urethane can be cleaned easily. Both flooring materials create a seamless edge-to-edge surface which conforms to the topography of the floor. In fact, the structural features also support columns. There are no seams and cracks formed which also makes it easy to clean the floor.   

Epoxy coating is mixed with other additives such as silver which makes it anti-microbial in nature. Because the anti-microbial properties are enhanced, it makes a better choice for FDA and USDA-regulated facilities which require the high level of cleanliness.    

UV Resistance  

In this regard, urethane floor coating is the absolute winner. Epoxy will fade with time and might even lose its colour when it comes in the direct sunlight and constant shifts in the temperature. Meanwhile urethane is one of the most unaffected by UV rays. Because of this amazing feature, urethane is the preferred choice for most applications.   

Coating Traction and Texture 

Despite being glossy, both epoxy and urethane are safe to walk in natural circumstances. Epoxy gets slippery when it is wet which can lead to a tripping hazard. But spot cleaning and being a bit proactive can help prevent such accidents. But if you get an epoxy floor installed by Tuff Build, you will not have to face this issue because our experts add materials that prevent tripping. Contact us to know more about epoxy as well as urethane floor coatings.  

Visual Appeal of the Floor 

Both epoxy and urethane create the same shiny floor surface. The appeal is always classy and makes the place look clean and better. To make the floor even more appealing, metallic particles can be added to the epoxy to create eye-catching swirls. Also, you can choose epoxy and urethane in different colours.   

Let Tuff Build Professionals Handle Flooring Contract 

Tuff Build experts have extensive knowledge of epoxy, urethane, and concrete floors. With over years of experience, our professionals create a floor that meets the unique aesthetic and maintenance requirements of the clients. Our team takes time to assess every client’s need, identify the best flooring solution, prepare the floor, and install the right kind of floor by using the best methods and market, customer-friendly techniques. To know more about the flooring, contact us and allow us to serve you with the best epoxy, urethane flooring solutions.