There are a lot of choices that have to be made before a commercial remodeling job. One of the first and most important ones is floor coating. Should you go polyurethane or epoxy?
Most people don’t even know where to begin in the polyurethane vs epoxy debate. Thankfully, we’re here to help. Keep reading for your definitive answer.
Do I Need Floor Coating?
If you work in a commercial industry floor coating is essential.
An uncoated floor is much more susceptible to damage and wear. Whether that’s from dropped goods or forklift tires, a damaged floor can lead to difficulty working. It can also lead to otherwise avoidable workplace injuries.
Floor coating helps with everything from safety to cleaning. If you’ve ever tried to clean concrete, you know how much of a nightmare it can be. Having a coat overtop makes it a breeze.
So, yes. It may not be the law or anything, but you should coat your floor.
Polyurethane vs Epoxy
Both of these coatings are thick, sturdy, and great for commercial flooring. They’ll stand up to damage and wear well. But there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Epoxy floor coating is generally the cheaper of the two. Epoxy tends to be more durable if you get the good stuff. The resin hardens into a more solid state that holds up great to weight and damage.
If you’re coating a floor where forklifts and heavy machinery frequent, epoxy is a good choice. It might also be a good choice if you’re working with chemicals. Epoxy holds up to things like sulfuric acid better than polyurethane.
Epoxy doesn’t last as long as polyurethane, though. It may be harder, but its deterioration time is quicker. It’s also a lot slower to install, as it takes time to dry and cure.
Polyurethane is better at resisting impact than epoxy. It can take a serious beating, where some epoxy coatings might not hold up so well.
Polyurethane is very resistant to chemicals. These include ammonium chloride, barium salts, and calcium chloride. The list goes on.
One of the best things about polyurethane is its quick curing time. This means you can add extra coats when you start to notice damage.
The main negative with polyurethane is the cost. Epoxy is much cheaper, although it might not last as long. You’ll have to decide whether the cost is worth the quality.
Polyurethane is also sensitive to water and humidity. This can lead to a lot of damage, especially if the floor is exposed before curing properly. Make sure you’ve considered this before you start laying it down.
Which Is Better?
There’s no real “better” choice in the battle of polyurethane vs epoxy. It all depends on your budget and your industry. Now that you know the pros and cons, you can better weigh your options and make the right choice for you.
Either way, you’ll be looking at a safer, and cleaner commercial floor.
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