What are Polyaspartic Floor Coatings?

Polyaspartic flooring is a longstanding favorite in commercial and industrial spaces. In fact, the material itself was first developed as a corrosion-resistant steel coating in the 90s.

Polyaspartic floor coating also happens to be a wonderful option for residential spaces too! From garages to basements, homeowners are turning to this material to protect their floors.   

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Explained 

A polyaspartic floor coating combines ester and various other materials to create an aliphatic polyurea sealer. The amount of ester present in the material will dictate how fast it dries and the amount of gas it emits during application. It has a similar look and feels to epoxy flooring – glossy, almost as if it were wet. 

Once the solution is mixed together it has a clear, liquid appearance and doesn’t have a strong odor. During installation, you can include vibrant colors or textured chips for grip just like epoxy. But this is where their similarities end.     

With the ability to change the properties of this material by including more or less ester, polyaspartic coatings are far more adaptable than traditional epoxy. Generally, it cures more quickly. It is also more flexible than epoxy so it’s less vulnerable to abrasions, chips, and scuffs. 

What is the Installation Process?

Installing polyaspartic flooring is a fairly quick process. Installation and curing can wrap up in less than 24 hours. That means you can walk on your new flooring or even drive a car onto it the very next day. But it does take precision to achieve a quality finished product. We recommend leaving the installation to the pros. 

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1. Prep surface. Use a dry diamond grinder or shot blaster to open the concrete pores. Use biodegradable degreasing agents or organic oil emulsifiers to remove any contaminants.
2. Test moisture level. Moisture can weaken the bond between polyaspartic flooring and concrete. Levels should be no higher than 75% internal RH.
3. Fill in cracks and gaps. Use a mixture of sand and polyurea to fill in any surface defects.  
4. Mix material. Polyaspartic coatings will come with two parts you will mix together at a 1:1 ratio. If you’re adding in pigment, be sure to add it to part A and mix that with part B. 
5. Prime surface. Apply a light coat to see if it’s absorbing into the concrete appropriately. Let this settle for roughly an hour depending on the temperature and humidity.
6. Apply more layers. Build up the floor to your desired thickness. This can range anywhere from 2 mils to 18 mils thick. If you’re adding in vinyl chips or decorative quartz, begin to incorporate it in while the second coat (or base coat) is still wet. 
7. Apply top coat. If you added in vinyl or quartz texture, smooth over the dry surface with a scraper and vacuum. This will make applying the base coat easier. Once that’s done, or if you didn’t include textured chips, apply a coat of the polyaspartic mixture and roll it out. 

Why are Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Worthwhile? 

There are so many reasons to install a polyaspartic flooring system. Here are a few reasons this is a worthwhile investment for residential and commercial buildings alike.  

• UV resistant (doesn't yellow)
• Durable gloss finish
• Eco-friendly and low VOCs
• Higher abrasion resistance than epoxy
• Easy to maintain
• 1-Day install
• Vehicle-ready in 24 hours
• Lifetime warranty
• Installation available in -30°F to 140°F temperatures
• Can last up to 20 years 

Potential Drawbacks of Polyaspartic Floor Coatings

A polyaspartic floor coating has its downsides too. Keep some of these potential cons in mind when deciding if this flooring system is right for you. 

• More expensive than traditional epoxy 
• Can dry before fully installed 
• Tricky to apply 
• Cannot be applied if there’s high moisture 
• Can peel if applied incorrectly
• Vulnerable to battery acid 
• Tough to remove and repair

Epoxy Colorado Installs Polyaspartic Floor Coatings

Due to these “cons”, it’s really important to have a professional install the coating and work on any repairs down the line.

Ready to install a durable, attractive polyaspartic floor coating in your home or business? Call on Epoxy Colorado! Picking out flooring can be a difficult process. Invest in a system that will stand the test of time, protect your floors, and look stunning doing it. We are actually one of the few companies in Northern Colorado and Colorado Springs capable of applying a polyaspartic floor coating. Contact us today for any questions you have about this superb flooring option!