Businesses have several options when it comes to concrete floor coatings. Two of the more popular floor coatings are epoxy and urethane. So, which is better? There are advantages and disadvantages of each. In this blog, we will cover the pros and cons so you can determine the best option for your specific commercial building.
At Advantage Coating, we install urethane and commercial
epoxy flooring for La Crosse, Wisconsin, and surrounding areas. You can
trust our team to professionally install whichever floor coating option you
choose.
Let’s look at some different factors to compare the two
coating options.
Installation
Both products need a properly prepped concrete floor before
installation. Once applied, urethane dries and cures faster than epoxy. So, if
time is of the essence, urethane is the best option. However, epoxy bonds
better to concrete than urethane. Epoxy can also be applied thicker, making it
a good option for older concrete floors that may have cracks and blemishes.
Coating Strength
Urethane and epoxy are both quite strong, but in slightly
different ways. Urethane has characteristics that make it “springy” and
resilient to damage from falling objects. It’s also more heat resistant than
epoxy.
Epoxy is more easily damaged by falling objects, especially
ones with sharp points, but it is more resistant to crushing forces – such as
being driven on by heavy vehicles.
Ultraviolet Resistance
Urethane flooring is resistant to UV light whereas epoxy
will fade and lose its color in direct sunlight. Temperature shifts can also weaken epoxy. If
you have a building with many windows or exposure to direct sunlight, urethane
is definitely the way to go.
Chemical Resistance
If chemical spills are a significant concern, epoxy will
likely be the better option. It’s more resistant to both acids and bases than
urethane. Epoxy can also be formulated to be even more resistant to chemicals. In
comparison, frequent spills of almost any caustic material will weaken urethane
flooring.
Traction
Both urethane and epoxy are safe to walk on in normal
circumstances, providing plenty of traction. However, epoxy tends to become
slippery when wet, which can present a hazard. If the floor can frequently get
wet, urethane is the best option.
Visual Appeal
Whether you choose epoxy or urethane, you will get a
visually appealing floor for your commercial facility. Both floor coatings
create similar shiny floor surfaces and come in a variety of colors and
options.
Conclusion
Based on the information above, it really depends on your
business when determining the best floor coating option. Both epoxy and
urethane will take your concrete floors to the next level, offering strength,
durability and aesthetics. The use of heavy machinery, exposure to sunlight and
other factors will determine which coating is best for your application.
If you have questions on which coating to choose for your
business, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can go through all the possible
options to help you find the best fit for your needs.
To learn more about commercial epoxy flooring for La Crosse
and surrounding areas, contact
Advantage Coating.
