When To Use Urethane vs. Epoxy Flooring
With so many flooring options, it can be overwhelming to determine which one is best for your facility’s surfaces. Urethane and epoxy flooring might look similar, but they have very different characteristics. Let’s break these differences down to help you select the right option for your facility’s flooring needs.
- Depending on your environment, urethane mortar and epoxy floors are generally around the same price point.
- With proper adhesion, both epoxy and urethane floors have outstanding wear characteristics. For heavier traffic environments, a urethane system will last longer than a standard epoxy floor.
- UV Resistance. Epoxy floors are sensitive to UV rays and can fade or yellow in direct or indirect sunlight – this includes through windows or skylights. Urethane naturally has a higher UV resistance.
- Maintenance and Cleaning. Both urethane and epoxy floors are easy to maintain. Normal spills can be cleaned using traditional floor-cleaning methods like mops or rags.
- Chemical Resistance. Urethane mortar is a better choice for environments with potential chemical spills like vehicle service areas or those using chemical cleaners often like food and beverage manufacturers or healthcare facilities.
- Installation and Curing Time. Both epoxy and urethane mortar floor systems have a relatively quick cure time and will likely have similar installation/labor time.
- Abrasion Resistance. Urethane is more resistant to abrasions and scratches so it can be a better choice in applications with heavy equipment.
- Slip Resistance. Urethane and epoxy floors offer slip resistance, making them ideal for foot traffic areas.
