Epoxy Coating vs Polyurethane Coating?

Both epoxy coating and polyurethane coating are used in industrial and commercial settings across the globe. Both types of products offer their own set of advantages and considerations, which can make choosing between the two difficult.

Luckily, we’re industrial flooring pros and can guide you in the right direction. Let’s start with the facts. By looking at the differences between the two, we can help you decide which is best for your location, needs, and industry.

Polyurethane Concrete Coatings

Polyurethane is great for abrasion resistance. However, it has trouble bonding to concrete surfaces.
Polyurethane is easy to apply and usually has a long pot life.
It is rolled on at approximately 2 – 3 mils and is not designed to build any thicker.
Polyurethane coatings can be installed with a matte or high shine finish.
Polyurethanes have come a long way and can actually be installed with such low VOC present that installation can be performed anywhere without respirators if the right product is selected.
Polyurethanes are limited in their ability to fill in cracks and other surface defects.

Epoxy Concrete Flooring

Epoxy, which is versatile in the depth that it can be installed, can help to level an uneven floor due to its ability to cure at different thicknesses.
Installers can choose the thickness level of epoxy coatings, making these products truly customizable.
Epoxy floors can be installed with a matte or high shine finish.
Epoxies are typically 100% solids and give off 0 VOC.

In the end, both epoxy flooring and polyurethane coating are great products. Both serve a distinct purpose and actually epoxy and urethane should be installed together!

Polyurethane on Epoxy

Polyurethane on epoxy is actually one of the best things you can do for your industrial floors and facilities. Epoxy is best used as a repair, patch and build coat to hide imperfections in the concrete. Then you want to sand the epoxy and install a coat of polyurethane coating as a protective wear surface over top of the epoxy coating.

By utilizing epoxy and polyurethane together, you’ll optimize your industrial and commercial floors to the maximum. Not only that, but you’ll also save money, time and productivity as well.

However every flooring customer’s needs are unique, depending upon the particular use and desired outcomes. That’s why Liquid Floor Inc. believes in customizing concrete floor coatings for each individual application.

Liquid Floor Inc. President, Lee Davis, has been working in the concrete floor coatings industry for more than a decade. He believes that the polyurethane on epoxy combo for concrete floor coatings produces the best floor possible.