🔬 Chemical Composition
- Epoxy: A thermosetting resin made by mixing an epoxide resin with a hardener.
- Polyaspartic: A type of polyurea, modified to extend pot life and make it more user-friendly. It cures via a chemical reaction with moisture or an amine-based component.
🕒 Curing Time
- Epoxy: Takes longer to cure — usually 24–72 hours depending on conditions.
- Polyaspartic: Cures much faster — often ready for foot traffic in a few hours, and full cure in about 24 hours.
☀️ UV Resistance
- Epoxy: Tends to yellow and degrade when exposed to UV light unless protected.
- Polyaspartic: Naturally UV stable; it won’t yellow or degrade with sunlight exposure.
❄️ Temperature Sensitivity
- Epoxy: Can be sensitive to cold or humid environments during application.
- Polyaspartic: Can be applied in a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels.
💪 Durability & Flexibility
- Epoxy: Strong, good for heavy-duty use, but more brittle and prone to cracking under stress.
- Polyaspartic: More flexible and impact-resistant, making it better for environments with temperature swings or movement.
🧽 Chemical & Stain Resistance
- Both offer good chemical resistance, but polyaspartic generally performs better against a wider range of harsh chemicals and stains.
🎨 Appearance & Application
- Epoxy: Thick and glossy, with a wide range of decorative options. Can be harder to apply evenly.
- Polyaspartic: Smoother, thinner finish but still glossy and decorative. Easier to apply quickly with fewer imperfections.
💰 Cost
- Epoxy: Generally more affordable up front.
- Polyaspartic: Higher material cost, but may save money in labor and time due to quicker application and cure times.
