Choose the best resin for your project.
When it comes to installing epoxy floors in your industrial warehouse, garage, commercial kitchen and more, you have two main options for resins: Polyaspartic and Epoxy resin. Knowing the differences between the two will help you make a better informed decision for your floors. Their individual strengths and weaknesses can make or break your project, so make sure to read this article to understand more about your options!
Also, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to just choose between one or the other. For some projects, it’ll make sense to mix polyaspartic and traditional epoxy layers. That way, you can combine their strengths and protect against their weaknesses!
Polyaspartic Resin
Polyaspartic resin is a polyurea-modified polyaspartic ester that’s been growing in popularity due to its quick-drying process and other strong properties. It was developed in the early 1990s as a coating for fast-curing and high-performance industrial floors.
Polyaspartic is perfect for smaller projects, too! It’s a great flooring solution in your garage, driveway or commercial office floors, as well.
Advantages of Polyaspartic Resin:
– Fast Curing Time: Polyaspartic resin cures quickly, in as little as 2-3 hours. This makes it an ideal choice for industrial and commercial floors that need to be back in service quickly.
– Excellent Strength & Resistance: If you’re in need of a very durable flooring solution that can withstand heavy traffic and exposure to harsh chemicals, polyaspartic is a great choice.
– UV Stable: Polyaspartic is more resistant to (UV) light, making it a good choice for floors that will be exposed to sunlight.
– Lower VOCs: Epoxy installations tend to come with a heavy odor and a decrease in air quality, but polyaspartic is generally a much cleaner product and will minimize those variables.
Disadvantages of Polyaspartic Resin:
– More expensive than epoxy: Polyaspartic resin is typically more expensive than epoxy resin.
– More intense installation: Its quick drying time is as much a strength as it is a weakness. Polyaspartic has a much shorter working time once it’s been applied.
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin is a polymeric material that consists of two parts: the epoxide group and the polyamine group. It was first developed in the 1930s, and has since been used in a wide variety of applications. And epoxy floors are increasing in popularity every year because of their incredible versatility!
So from commercial kitchens, to industrial warehouses, to residential garages; epoxy is perfect for your needs!
Advantages of Epoxy Resin:
– Easy Installation: Epoxy is an easy to work with flooring solution due to its longer curing and drying times.
– Great Slip Resistance: Epoxy is incredibly slip-resistant, as well as having the durability to withstand all the traffic your floor will take.
– Cost-Efficient: Whether in bulk or individual bucket needs, epoxy is an incredibly cost-efficient flooring resource.
Disadvantages of Epoxy Resin:
– Slow curing time: Epoxy takes 24-48 hours to cure, making it a less ideal choice for floors that need to be back in service quickly.
– Sensitive to temperature: Its sensitivity to temperature means that it can lose its strength at high temperatures. Also, it introduces more variables to worry about during installation.
– Not UV Stable: Over time, epoxy left exposed to UV will begin to yellow. This will especially affect clear epoxy floor coatings.
Learn To Work With Epoxy Resin & More!
Although the installation process for both polyaspartic and epoxy are relatively similar, it’s the small differences that can make a big impact! Prepare yourself for any epoxy floor installation that will come with hands-on experience, taught by professionals in the field. Sign up for our 5-day Epoxy Classes program and get the experience you need! In the course, we’ll cover:
- Mixing & applying different types of resins
- Operating a concrete grinder
- How to install all the most in-demand styles of epoxy floors.
Sign up and learn from the best today!
Conclusion
So, which is better for you? Polyaspartic or epoxy resin? The answer depends on your specific needs and requirements. Do you need a fast-curing, durable floor that can withstand heavy traffic and exposure to chemicals? Then polyaspartic resin is a good choice. For cost-efficiency and ease of installation, epoxy resin may be a better choice.
Are you interested in installing epoxy floors, or have any questions about resin? Contact our specialists (954) 287-3797 and get help from professionals! If you’re a contractor and you need to refill on the essentials, our EpoxyETC online store will help you get what you need at competitive prices.