A client asked us recently, what is the difference between epoxy and polyaspartic coatings? Funny enough, it’s a lot like the differences between chocolate cakes. Stay with us on this, chocolate cake can be baked in a number of ways due to the varying recipes available to use. Some cakes are dry and chewy with hard icing, and other cakes are very moist and fluffy with softer icing, but at the end of the day – it’s all chocolate cake. This is kind of like the world of epoxy floor products – with variables like drying time, adhesion, and surface hardness being the principal result of differences in the recipes. In this article, our team of epoxy floor contractors will expand on the key differences between epoxy and polyaspartic coatings.
You can’t have one without the other, an unbreakable bond
Just like ingredients in a chocolate cake recipe, an epoxy coating followed by a polyaspartic topcoat work together to give you the best result. Polyaspartic materials are great for topcoat because of the strong bond it creates with the flat surface beneath it (ie. The epoxy coat). Polyaspartic is very hard when dry, so it adds an extra layer of durability to your epoxy floor.
Best practice, also known as our signature diamond-epoxy process goes as follows:
- Complete preparation of the concrete floor using high-quality concrete grinding equipment. We will fill, patch, grind and even level the floor if necessary in order to create the most pristine base for application.
- Epoxy poured right onto the concrete because it absorbs into floor and adheres in all directions ie. it absorbs into a complete floor profile including the walls.
- While the epoxy solution is still wet, we add the decorative touches: flakes, glitter, colors – you name it, we have it. Then, it cures for a day.
- Next day, it is time to apply the polyaspartic topcoat. The epoxy underlay has dried just enough to make it an optimal platform for the adhesion of the polyaspartic.
Polyaspartic can withstand colder temperatures vs. epoxy
Epoxy should not be applied if the concrete floor is less than 50F. However, if you are keen on having this job done in colder weather, polyurea can be used as base coat instead of epoxy in a single day process. Note that polyurea provides flat surface absorption only and dries even faster than epoxy. Then, you can apply a polyaspartic topcoat after the polyurea dries in a couple hours as it can be put down in much colder weather too.
Epoxy and Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Applied by Diamond Garage Solutions
We’ve only scratched the surface on the benefits of an epoxy floor installation with a polyaspartic topcoat. As we discussed above, the two work together to give you a floor that is absolutely pristine when it comes to appearance, durability and texture. Our team of flooring professionals in NJ can also customize your epoxy floor so that it truly reflects your preferred interior design. From industrial warehouse floors to home garages and basements, our experienced team can install an epoxy floor with polyaspartic topcoat that is on brand, on budget, and will stand the test of time.
Call us today to see how we can provide the best flooring solution for your home in NJ, or visit our website at: https://diamondgaragesolutions.com/