Polyaspartic Coatings Vs Epoxy Coatings: Which Is Better For Outdoor Surfaces?
When it comes to coating your outdoor surfaces, you have many options to choose from. The two primary coatings are epoxy and polyaspartic. You may be wondering if polyaspartic or epoxy is the best option for your needs. To help you make an informed decision, we've compared these two popular types of coatings and their applications in this article. Read on to learn more!
Polyaspartic is a durable hybrid material that closely resembles polyurethane. Polyasparitc coatings were first developed in the 1990s as a coating for steel in bridges and used for their corrosion-resistant properties. It's a water-based, aliphatic polyurea coating that can be used in various applications such as decks, flat roofs, and pool decks. Because of its flexibility, it's also ideal for boat interiors. Polyaspartic coatings have many benefits. They are eco-friendly because they don't contain solvents or formaldehyde as some other products do. They are non-flammable and have low VOC (volatile organic compounds) content, making them safer to use around people with chemical sensitivities. The most significant benefit of polyaspartic coatings is that they last longer than other finishes, such as epoxy coatings because their chemistry makes them self-sealing. Meaning you don't need to worry about re-coating your deck every few years like you would if you had an epoxy finish!
Epoxy coatings are resin polymers that have been used as surface coatings for decades. Epoxy is one of the most common coatings used for decks, but epoxy has several drawbacks. One drawback is that epoxy coatings are not as flexible as polyaspartic coatings. This makes them less ideal for outdoor applications. Another drawback is that epoxy coatings tend to chip off after time and are also vulnerable to abrasion. These drawbacks can cause damage to the surface under them. Epoxy coatings are also not as temperature resistant and do not hold up as well to UV rays. Epoxy coatings generally come with a lower price tag, but they may cost more in the long term because they don't last as long.
Polyaspartics work great for outdoor decks because they're more durable, easy to clean, and more flexible than epoxy. They won't crack or peel like some epoxies do when exposed to sunlight over time. Polyaspartic coatings are more durable than epoxies because they're formulated with stronger resins that are less susceptible to UV degradation. They also offer better flexibility, making them ideal for wooden decks; they're not only slip-resistant but also waterproof! The materials used in epoxies are typically silica-based or petroleum-based; however, polyaspartic is made from water-based concrete sealants that are safe for indoor and outdoor use, including marine applications. This makes them ideal for wet areas like swimming pools or spas where chlorine bleach would damage other coatings on wood surfaces such as solid wood decks used inside homes.
There are many reasons polyaspartics are better for outdoor applications than epoxies. Polyaspartic coatings are used in residential and commercial applications. They can seal masonry, concrete, wood, polyurea, polysulfide and most deck surface materials. If you're wondering which one will work best for you, it boils down to what your needs are. If you are coating an outdoor area, like a deck or pool deck, and want something that can last for years without chipping, cracking or fading, we suggest going with a polyaspartic coating. The flexibility and durability make polyaspartic coatings far superior to epoxies.
At Pro Surfaces, we use Flexstone coatings for outdoor surface applications. Flexstone is a flexible, durable, eco-friendly, and cold applied waterproofing and protective polyaspartic coating that was initially designed to stand up to the harsh conditions of Ski Resorts. Flexstone is versatile, long-lasting, seamless, and resistant to extreme temperatures and heavy traffic. Flexstone is also 100% UV stable and fade resistant. Flexstone can be applied over various surfaces, including plywood, concrete, and even torch-on SBS roofing. Flexstone is fully approved for use over living spaces (i.e. flat roofs and roof decks) in Canada by the CCMC (Canadian Construction Materials Center); Flexstone has undergone and passed the same tests as Torch-on SBS roofing.
Pro Surfaces is proud to offer a superior solution to epoxy coatings for outdoor surfaces. Flexstone provides a completely waterproof coating system for balconies, patios, pool decks, and roof decks that will outlast epoxy coatings by decades. Flexstone seamlessly protects your driveway, walkway, garage floor, steps, patios, decks and pool decks from harmful salt and chemicals that can cause damage to it while making it beautiful for decades of enjoyment. If you are looking for a superior coating for your outdoor surface, contact us today! We promise you'll love the results.