Epoxy, polyaspartic and polyurea are two-component resin coatings for concrete floors: epoxy cures by amine addition into a hard aromatic film, polyaspartic is a slowed aliphatic polyurea that cures in hours, and spray polyurea gels in seconds. On the data sheets compared here, foot traffic returns after about 24 h at 20 °C (68 °F) on Sikafloor-264 N epoxy and after 6 h at 25 °C (77 °F) on GP4850 polyaspartic, while Sikalastic-851 spray polyurea gels in about 11 s at 20 °C.
None of the three wins without conditions. Sunlight, the cure window and slab moisture decide the choice, and the isocyanate side of polyaspartic and polyurea adds a REACH training duty that epoxy-amine systems do not carry. Within construction chemicals, all three belong to the resin floor family, listed with every other family under construction chemicals.
Every value below carries its test, temperature, jurisdiction or date. In the South Coast, all three fall under one Floor Coatings limit of 50 g/L (0.42 lb/gal), and a 2026 US vendor guide prices installed polyaspartic at USD 75.35 to 129.17 per m² (USD 7 to 12 per ft²).
The verdict table below compares the three coatings on eleven attributes, each with its basis.
| Attribute | Epoxy | Polyaspartic | Polyurea | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | bisphenol A or F liquid resin + amine hardener; about 100 % solids or water-based | aliphatic polyisocyanate + polyaspartic ester (hindered amine); 70 to 100 % solids | isocyanate + aromatic or aliphatic amine (pure) or amine-polyol blend (hybrid) | class chemistry |
| Standards | EN 13813:2002 SR (CE marking, DoP); EN 1504-2:2004 where the floor protects concrete | no product standard; ASTM test methods | EAD 030350-00-0402 (roof kits); EN 1504-2:2004 (Sikalastic-851 DoP) | EU and US documents |
| Hardness | Shore D about 76 (Sikafloor-264 N, 7 d, 23 °C (73 °F)) | Shore D 69 (GP4850) | Shore A about 85 (Sikalastic-851) | one product each; Shore A and D are different scales |
| UV | aromatic: never truly UV stable, yellows | aliphatic: good UV stability, low yellowing | aromatic grades need an aliphatic topcoat | class behavior |
| Application window | +10 to +30 °C (50 to 86 °F), max 80 % RH (Sikafloor-264 N) | 1.7 to 49 °C (35 to 120 °F), max 85 % RH (GP4850) | air 8 to 45 °C (46 to 113 °F), max 80 % RH (Sikalastic-851) | data sheets |
| Foot traffic | about 24 h at 20 °C (68 °F); about 30 h at 10 °C (50 °F) (Sikafloor-264 N) | 6 h, wheels 24 h at 25 °C (77 °F) (GP4850) | 12 h at 20 °C (68 °F) (Maxelastic Poly-M) | temperature stated |
| Film per coat | roller coat 0.3 to 0.4 kg/m² (0.06 to 0.08 lb/ft²) (Sikafloor-264 N) | 6 to 15 mils (150 to 375 µm) WFT (GP4850) | layer about 2 mm (Sikalastic-851) | theoretical |
| VOC, South Coast | 50 g/L (0.42 lb/gal) | 50 g/L (0.42 lb/gal) | 50 g/L (0.42 lb/gal) where used as a floor coating | SCAQMD Rule 1113 Floor Coatings, amended 2016-02-05 |
| Hazard and training | liquid epoxy resin H315, H317, H319, H411; entry 74 does not apply | REACH entry 74 training (isocyanate side) | REACH entry 74; advanced level for spraying | CLP Annex VI; Reg. (EU) 2020/1149 |
| Installed cost, US 2026 | USD 53.82 to 96.88 per m² (USD 5 to 9 per ft²), residential garage, 2026 | USD 75.35 to 129.17 per m² (USD 7 to 12 per ft²), 2026 | USD 53.82 to 107.64 per m² (USD 5 to 10 per ft²), 2026 | one vendor guide (Armor Garage), 2026 |
| Fits when | indoors, dry slab, floor can close a day or more | sunlight, cold slab or one-day return | the job is a waterproofing membrane, not a thin floor coat | conditions, no winner |
Standards, codes and regulations are checked against their issuing bodies, product values against the named data sheet and prices against the dated source named in the sentence; see our methodology and fact-checking.
How Do Epoxy, Polyaspartic and Polyurea Differ in Chemistry?#
Epoxy floors react a bisphenol A or F liquid resin with an amine hardener, while polyaspartic and polyurea floors react an isocyanate with an amine, and that isocyanate side brings both the speed and the training duty. In epoxy, the amine N-H groups add to the oxirane rings of the resin and build a cross-linked thermoset. In polyaspartic, an aliphatic polyisocyanate reacts with a polyaspartic ester, a hindered amine that slows the urea reaction enough for roller work. In polyurea, an isocyanate reacts with an aromatic or aliphatic amine (pure polyurea) or an amine-polyol blend (hybrid), and the elastomer forms within seconds.
Resin floors come in five chemistries: epoxy, polyurethane, polyurethane-cement, polyaspartic or polyurea, and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Each of these resin and industrial floor coatings is built to one of the FeRFA Types 1 to 8, from thin seals to heavy-duty screeds, as set out under resin and industrial floor coatings.
Is polyaspartic the same as polyurea?#
Yes, chemically: polyaspartic is an aliphatic polyurea ester, which is why the US garage trade sells it as "polyurea floor coating" or simply "poly". The hindered ester slows the urea reaction that makes spray polyurea gel in seconds, so a polyaspartic can be rolled, and its aliphatic backbone holds color under UV. Covestro (then Bayer) developed this slowed chemistry in the early 1990s. Polyaspartic is not the same as epoxy: epoxy holds no isocyanate, cures by amine addition to epoxide groups and falls outside the diisocyanate training rule.
Spray polyurea membranes vs polyurea floor coatings#
A spray polyurea is a two-component elastomer sprayed hot through plural-component equipment at 1:1 by volume, a waterproofing membrane rather than a thin floor coat. Cold hand-applied two-component grades exist as well, and the fast isocyanate-amine reaction gives a seamless layer in one pass on decks, roofs and linings.
Aromatic grades need an aliphatic topcoat for UV color stability, because they yellow and chalk in sunlight. The polyurea column on this page carries two polyurea waterproofing membranes, Sikalastic-851 (hot-spray hybrid, layer about 2 mm) and Maxelastic Poly-M (cold-applied aromatic), since no thin polyurea floor-coat data sheet is part of this comparison. Pure, hybrid and cold-applied deck and roof systems are covered under polyurea waterproofing membranes.
Which Standards and Test Methods Apply to Each Coating?#
No standard classifies the three as floor coatings side by side: in the EU, resin floors are synthetic resin screed material (SR) under EN 13813:2002, and in the US the documents are test methods. EN 13813:2002 is the current harmonized standard for screed material, cited in OJ C 259 of 2014-08-08 under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, and it stays valid under Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 until the family moves under an implementing act. For CE marking, an SR material declares wear resistance of RWA10 or AR1 or better, bond strength of at least B1,5 (1.5 N/mm², 218 psi) and impact resistance of at least IR4 (Table ZA.1.5).
EN 1504-2:2004 applies where the floor coating protects the concrete itself (EN 13813 clause 5.1), and polyurea roof kits take a European Technical Assessment against EAD 030350-00-0402 (August 2018, cited OJEU 2020), which covers polyurethane, polyurea and polyaspartic kits. Polyaspartic floor coatings have no product standard of their own, so their data sheets report ASTM test methods. In the UK, BS 8204-6:2008+A1:2010 is the code of practice for synthetic resin floorings, and the FeRFA classification sorts resin floors into Types 1 to 8, from a seal of up to 150 µm to heavy-duty floors over 6 mm.
The table below lists each document with its edition and the coating it reaches.
| Region | Document (edition) | Covers | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | EN 13813:2002 (EN 13813 screed materials) | synthetic resin screed material (SR); CE threshold RWA10 or AR1 or better, B1,5 or better, IR4 or better (Table ZA.1.5) | epoxy floors (for example the Sikafloor-264 N DoP); other resin floors |
| EU | EN 1504-2:2004 | surface protection of concrete | floors that protect concrete (EN 13813 clause 5.1); Sikalastic-851 DoP |
| EU | EAD 030350-00-0402 (August 2018, cited OJEU 2020) | liquid-applied roof waterproofing kits, incl. polyurethane, polyurea and polyaspartic | ETA basis for polyurea roof kits |
| UK | BS 8204-6:2008+A1:2010 | code of practice for synthetic resin floorings | all three as resin floors |
| UK and intl | FeRFA classification, Types 1 to 8 | Type 1 seal up to 150 µm; Type 2 coating 150 to 300 µm; Type 3 high-build 300 to 1,000 µm; Type 4 multi-layer over 2 mm; Type 5 flow-applied 2 to 3 mm; Type 6 resin screed over 4 mm; Type 7 heavy-duty flowable 4 to 6 mm; Type 8 heavy-duty over 6 mm | thickness and duty band of the build |
| US | ASTM D4060-25 | Taber abrasion | epoxy and polyaspartic films |
| US | ASTM D7234-22 (pull-off adhesion testing) | pull-off adhesion on concrete | all three |
| US | ASTM D4541 | pull-off adhesion, portable testers | all three |
| US | ASTM D2240-15(2021) | durometer hardness (Shore A, Shore D) | all three |
| US | ASTM D412-16(2021) | tension of elastomers; Methods A and B not interchangeable | polyurea |
| US | ASTM D624-00(2020) | tear strength | polyurea |
How Do Hardness, Adhesion, Abrasion and UV Resistance Compare?#
Data sheets show epoxy as the hardest of the three films, polyaspartic as a hard UV-stable film and polyurea as an elastomer with 350 to 525 % elongation, but each value belongs to one product and one test. Build-ups of epoxy flooring from 0.3 mm roller coats to 3 to 4 mm broadcast systems (typical product values) are set out under epoxy flooring.
The performance table sets one product per chemistry against the same properties.
| Property (test) | Epoxy: Sikafloor-264 N (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | Polyaspartic: GP4850 (PDS 2018) | Polyurea: Sikalastic-851 (PDS) / Maxelastic Poly-M (TDS 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Shore D about 76 (7 d, 23 °C (73 °F)) | Shore D 69 | Shore A about 85 / Shore A 80, Shore D 35 |
| Compressive strength (EN 13892-2 as cited, 28 d) | about 58 N/mm² (8,400 psi) | not compared | not compared |
| Flexural strength (EN 13892-2 as cited, 28 d) | about 28 N/mm² (4,060 psi) | not compared | not compared |
| Tensile strength and elongation | not compared | 44 MPa (6,400 psi), 6 % | about 11 MPa (about 1,600 psi), DIN 53504, about 350 % / 6 MPa (870 psi), 525 % |
| Adhesion (pull-off) | more than 1.5 N/mm² (218 psi), failure in concrete | 2.9 MPa (425 psi) over epoxy primer | not compared |
| Abrasion | about 25 mg (EN ISO 5470-1, CS10, 1,000 g, 1,000 cycles) | 80 mg Taber, wheel and load not stated | not compared |
| Heat | strain at up to +60 °C (140 °F) with mechanical or chemical load may damage it | not compared | not compared |
| Note | abrasion results of the two films are not comparable | membrane products, not thin floor coats |
Reading data-sheet values across different tests#
Two numbers compare only when the test, specimen and conditions match. Sikafloor-264 N reports about 25 mg abrasion loss by EN ISO 5470-1 with CS10 wheels, 1,000 g and 1,000 cycles, while GP4850 reports 80 mg Taber loss without naming wheel or load, so the two results are not comparable. ASTM D4060-25 is the current US Taber method, and a comparable result names the wheel, the load and the cycle count.
Hardness scales do not convert either: the Shore D values of about 76 for Sikafloor-264 N and 69 for GP4850 sit on one durometer scale, while the Shore A of about 85 for Sikalastic-851 sits on another (ASTM D2240-15(2021)). Adhesion results differ in basis as well: one pull-off broke in bare concrete, the other was pulled over an epoxy primer.
Sunlight, yellowing and heat#
Aromatic epoxies are never truly UV stable and yellow in sunlight, while polyaspartic and polyurea floor coatings built on aliphatic isocyanates show good UV stability and low yellowing. Aromatic polyurea grades yellow and chalk as well and need an aliphatic topcoat. Heat is the second limit: an ambient-cure epoxy softens above its glass transition temperature (Tg), so the heat row in the table belongs to one product only. For sunlit floors, the UV-stable aliphatic class is described under polyaspartic and polyurea floor coatings.
How Do Application Windows, Cure Times and Coverage Compare?#
The three chemistries part ways on site in temperature window, cure speed and equipment: the epoxy compared here needs the warmest slab and the longest wait, polyaspartic tolerates near-freezing slabs, and spray polyurea needs heated plural-component equipment.
Temperature, humidity and dew point limits#
Each data sheet sets its own window: Sikafloor-264 N epoxy works at +10 to +30 °C (50 to 86 °F), GP4850 polyaspartic at 1.7 to 49 °C (35 to 120 °F). The dew-point margin is measured on the surface, not in the air: ISO 8502-4:2017 sets the substrate at least 3 °C (5.4 °F) above the dew point, and US product data rounds this to 5 °F. Spray polyurea pinholes on a rising substrate temperature, so the membrane data sheet asks for a falling one.
The window table lists temperature, humidity and dew-point limits per product.
| Product (data sheet, edition) | Substrate and air temperature | Relative humidity | Dew-point margin | Other conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikafloor-264 N epoxy (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | +10 to +30 °C (50 to 86 °F) | max 80 % | substrate at least 3 °C (5.4 °F) above dew point | protect from moisture for 24 h; electric heaters only |
| GP4850 polyaspartic (PDS 2018) | 1.7 to 49 °C (35 to 120 °F) | max 85 % | at least 2.8 °C (5 °F) above dew point | none stated |
| Sikalastic-851 spray polyurea (PDS) | air 8 to 45 °C (46 to 113 °F); substrate 8 to 50 °C (46 to 122 °F) | max 80 % | not compared | components at 70 to 80 °C (158 to 176 °F, calculated); apply on falling temperature |
| Maxelastic Poly-M cold polyurea (TDS 2025) | 5 to 35 °C (41 to 95 °F) | below 90 % | not compared | surface moisture below 5 % |
Cure and return to service by temperature#
Return to service runs from hours to days across the three chemistries, and every time in the table holds only at the temperature its data sheet states. FeRFA guidance for resin floors at 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F) sets 1 to 3 days before significant traffic and 3 to 7 days before wet cleaning, chemicals or heavy traffic. Polyaspartic and polyurea gain their speed from the urea reaction: a 2016 published technology review gives 1 to 4 h dry-to-touch for polyaspartic against 6 to 12 h for a two-component aliphatic polyurethane, and notes that application below 10 °C (50 °F) is possible.
The cure table gives pot life, recoat window, foot traffic and full cure per product and temperature.
| Temperature | Product (data sheet, edition) | Pot life | Recoat | Foot traffic | Wheels or full cure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 °C (50 °F) | Sikafloor-264 N (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | about 50 min | 30 h to 3 d | about 30 h | full cure about 7 d |
| 20 °C (68 °F) | Sikafloor-264 N (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | about 25 min | 24 to 48 h | about 24 h | full cure about 5 d |
| 30 °C (86 °F) | Sikafloor-264 N (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | about 15 min | 16 to 24 h | about 16 h | full cure about 3 d |
| 2 °C (35 °F), 50 % RH, 10 mils wet | GP4850 (PDS 2018) | not stated | not stated | touch 2 h | not stated |
| 25 °C (77 °F), 55 % RH, 10 mils wet | GP4850 (PDS 2018) | 20 to 25 min | 6 to 36 h | 6 h (touch 1 h) | wheels 24 h |
| 20 °C (68 °F) | Sikalastic-851 (PDS) | gel about 11 s | overcoat 1 to 2 min | not stated | cure 24 h |
| 20 °C (68 °F) | Maxelastic Poly-M (TDS 2025) | 20 min | 1 to 2 h | 12 h | not stated |
| Note, epoxy | rule of thumb (Euclid CP-29): a 10 to 11 °C (18 to 20 °F) rise halves pot life and cure time, an equal drop doubles them | ||||
| Note, epoxy recoat | water-wipe check for amine blush on epoxy before the next coat |
Film build and coverage per coat (WFT vs DFT)#
Coverage per coat is theoretical and depends on the wet film thickness: a coat rolled at 15 mils (381 µm) WFT spreads 1,604 / 15 = 106.9 ft²/gal (2.62 m²/L), whatever the volume solids. Dry film thickness follows from DFT = WFT x volume solids, and the metric form of the coverage identity is m²/L = 1,000 x volume solids / DFT in µm. GP4850 prints 106 to 251 ft²/gal per coat, but 106 equals 1,604 / 15 on the wet basis while 251 equals 1,604 x 0.94 / 6 on the dry basis, so the printed range mixes the two. For epoxy and coating films alike, this arithmetic with WFT, DFT and volume solids as inputs runs in the epoxy and coating coverage calculator.
Mass-based data sheets state consumption instead of film, in kilograms per square meter per coat or per millimeter of layer. A flake garage system specification sets a nominal build of 1.0 mm (40 mils).
The film table states each product's coverage with its basis.
| Product (data sheet, edition) | Per coat (basis) | Thickness | Theoretical coverage or consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sikafloor-264 N epoxy (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | roller coat | film not stated | 0.3 to 0.4 kg/m² (0.06 to 0.08 lb/ft²) per coat |
| Sikafloor-264 N epoxy (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | seal coat over broadcast | film not stated | 0.6 to 0.8 kg/m² (0.12 to 0.16 lb/ft²) per coat |
| Sikafloor-264 N epoxy (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | filled wearing layer | per 1 mm (0.04 in) of layer | 1.6 to 1.9 kg/m² (0.33 to 0.39 lb/ft²) |
| GP4850 polyaspartic (PDS 2018) | per coat, WFT basis | 6 to 15 mils (150 to 375 µm) WFT = 5.6 to 14.1 mils DFT at 94 % volume solids | 267 to 106.9 ft²/gal (6.56 to 2.62 m²/L), calculated as 1,604 / WFT in mils |
| Sikalastic-851 spray polyurea (PDS) | one layer | about 2 mm | about 1.05 kg/m² per mm; about 2.1 kg/m² (0.43 lb/ft²) at 2 mm, calculated |
Surface preparation and slab moisture#
All three need a mechanically prepared, sound and dry slab, and acid etching is not used: acid-etched garage floors peel. Diamond grinding falls under the OSHA respirable crystalline silica rule, 29 CFR 1926.1153, and floor grinders need integrated water or a dust collector of at least 99 % filter efficiency.
Slab moisture decides adhesion on a slab on grade. ASTM F2170-19a in-situ RH and ASTM F1869-23 moisture vapor emission tests set no pass or fail; the limit is the product maker's, and a slab above it takes a moisture barrier first. Profile depth for each concrete surface profile is read against ICRI comparison chips, described under concrete surface profile (CSP 1 to 10).
The two moisture steps before coating are listed below.
- Test the slab first: concrete moisture testing by in-situ RH or by calcium chloride emission.
- Seal a damp slab on grade with one of the moisture mitigation systems before the primer.
The preparation table lists method, substrate limits and moisture rule per product.
| Product (data sheet, edition) | Method and profile | Substrate limits | Moisture rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP4850 polyaspartic (PDS 2018) | concrete to CSP 3; over epoxy abrade with 60 to 80 grit; over an existing resin floor 36 grit | none stated | slab on grade needs a moisture barrier |
| Sikafloor-264 N epoxy (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | laitance removed by abrasive blasting or planing | compressive at least 25 N/mm² (3,630 psi); pull-off at least 1.5 N/mm² (218 psi) | above 4 % CM a temporary moisture barrier (epoxy-cement); no rising moisture |
| Sikalastic-851 spray polyurea (PDS) | abrasive blast, scarify or grind | compressive at least 25 MPa (3,630 psi); pull-off at least 1.5 MPa (218 psi) | not compared |
| Maxelastic Poly-M (TDS 2025) | epoxy primer 0.2 to 0.3 kg/m² | none stated | surface moisture below 5 % |
What VOC Limits and Health Rules Apply to Each Coating?#
All three come as high-solids systems, so the rules that separate them are the floor-coating VOC limits where they are sold and the diisocyanate training that applies to polyaspartic and polyurea but not to epoxy. Each limit below names its instrument and date.
VOC limits by jurisdiction#
SCAQMD Rule 1113 (amended 2016-02-05) limits Floor Coatings to 50 g/L (0.42 lb/gal) in the South Coast, while the federal EPA AIM limit for floor coatings is 400 g/L (3.3 lb/gal). The federal limit (40 CFR 59 subpart D) applies to floor coatings manufactured on or after 1999-09-13. In the EU, Directive 2004/42/EC Annex II A category (j), two-pack reactive performance coatings for floors, caps ready-to-use products at 140 g/L (1.17 lb/gal) water-based and 500 g/L (4.17 lb/gal) solvent-based since Phase II began on 2010-01-01.
The VOC table sets each limit beside the two product values.
| Jurisdiction | Category | Limit g/L (lb/gal) | Effective or amended | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Coast AQMD, Rule 1113 | Floor Coatings | 50 (0.42), less water and exempt compounds | rule amended 2016-02-05; small container exemption applies | all three sold as floor coatings in the South Coast |
| US EPA AIM, 40 CFR 59 subpart D, Table 1 | Floor coatings | 400 (3.3) | coatings manufactured on or after 1999-09-13 | all three where no stricter rule applies |
| EU, Directive 2004/42/EC Annex II A (j) | two-pack reactive performance coatings for floors | water-based 140 (1.17); solvent-based 500 (4.17) | Phase II since 2010-01-01, ready to use | all three in the EU |
| Product: GP4850 polyaspartic (PDS 2018) | product value | below 10 g/L mixed (EPA Method 24) | data sheet | one product |
| Product: Sikafloor-264 N epoxy (PDS 2018-02 v01.01) | product value | solvent-free, about 100 % solids | data sheet | one product |
Limits for other product classes: VOC limits for construction chemicals.
Epoxy sensitizers and diisocyanate training#
Liquid epoxy resin (CAS 25068-38-6) carries the harmonized classification H315, H317, H319, H411 (CLP Annex VI index 603-074-00-8), and its amine hardeners are corrosive and sensitizing: see the product SDS. Skin sensitization is the main occupational hazard of epoxy systems.
On the isocyanate side, REACH Annex XVII entry 74 (Regulation (EU) 2020/1149) requires training before industrial or professional use since 2023-08-24 when diisocyanates reach 0.1 % by weight, individually and in combination, renewed at least every five years. Residual monomer counts: standard HDI trimer hardeners can carry up to 0.15 % HDI (Desmodur N 3300), so hardeners of that type fall in scope. Rolling or brushing takes the intermediate training level, and spraying in open air with limited ventilation or high-energy spraying of elastomers takes the advanced level. Training levels, exposure limits and dates of the diisocyanates rules are set out under diisocyanates rules.
The safety table lists each substance or rule with its instrument and date.
| Substance or rule | Classification or duty | Instrument and date |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid epoxy resin (CAS 25068-38-6, EC 500-033-5); see epoxy resins and hardeners | Harmonised CLP Annex VI (index 603-074-00-8): H315, H317, H319, H411; formulated products: see the product SDS | CLP Annex VI; ECHA, checked 2026-10-22 |
| Amine hardeners | IPDA (index 612-067-00-9): H302, H314, H318, H317; TETA (index 612-059-00-5): H312, H314, H317, H412; Part B: see the product SDS | CLP Annex VI (IPDA entry by ATP17, Regulation (EU) 2021/849) |
| HDI oligomers (CAS 28182-81-2), hardener side of polyaspartic and PU topcoats; see polyurethane resins and prepolymers | No Annex VI entry; see the product SDS | ECHA, checked 2026-10-22 |
| HDI monomer (CAS 822-06-0) | index 615-011-00-1: H331, H335, H315, H319, H334, H317 | CLP Annex VI |
| REACH Annex XVII entry 74 | training before industrial or professional use since 2023-08-24 at 0.1 % by weight diisocyanates or more; pack statement since 2022-02-24; renewal at least every five years; does not apply to epoxy-amine systems | Regulation (EU) 2020/1149 |
| EU occupational exposure limit, diisocyanates | 6 µg NCO/m³ 8-h TWA, STEL 12 µg NCO/m³; transitional 10 / 20 µg NCO/m³ until 2028-12-31 | Directive (EU) 2024/869, transposition by 2026-04-09 |
| HDI, US limits | NIOSH REL TWA 0.005 ppm (0.035 mg/m³), ceiling 0.020 ppm (0.140 mg/m³) for 10 min; no OSHA PEL | NIOSH Pocket Guide |
| California Proposition 65 | epoxy resin (CAS 25068-38-6) not listed as such; bisphenol A listed (female reproductive 2015-05-11, developmental 2020-12-18); epichlorohydrin listed (cancer 1987-10-01, male reproductive 1996-09-01) | OEHHA list dated 2026-07-31 |
| GISCODE (Germany) | RE30 for 100 % solids sensitizing epoxy systems, per product | GISCODE, per product |
| Respirable crystalline silica from grinding | PEL 50 µg/m³ 8-h TWA, action level 25 µg/m³ | OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153, effective 2016-06-23 |
How Much Does Each Coating Cost Installed?#
A 2026 US vendor guide prices installed epoxy at USD 53.82 to 96.88 per m² (USD 5 to 9 per ft²) and installed polyaspartic at USD 75.35 to 129.17 per m² (USD 7 to 12 per ft²). The same Armor Garage page, dated 2026, puts installed polyurea floor coating at USD 53.82 to 107.64 per m² (USD 5 to 10 per ft²), and its epoxy row covers residential garage work. A national average for installed garage epoxy from Homewyse, dated 2026-05, runs higher at USD 83.74 to 136.81 per m² (USD 7.78 to 12.71 per ft²), US; the two sources stand side by side and are not averaged.
The cost table lists every range with its basis, region, date and source type.
| Item | Range USD per m² (USD per ft²) | Basis | Region | Date | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| residential garage epoxy | 53.82 to 96.88 (5 to 9), 2026 | installed | US | 2026 | vendor guide (Armor Garage) |
| polyaspartic | 75.35 to 129.17 (7 to 12), 2026 | installed | US | 2026 | vendor guide (Armor Garage) |
| polyurea floor coating | 53.82 to 107.64 (5 to 10), 2026 | installed | US | 2026 | vendor guide (Armor Garage) |
| garage epoxy, national average | 83.74 to 136.81 (7.78 to 12.71), 2026-05 | installed | US | 2026-05 | cost guide (Homewyse) |
| thin-film epoxy, commercial, 50,000 ft² (4,645 m²) basis | 32.29 to 64.58 (3 to 6), 2026-10 | installed | US, Dallas-Fort Worth | 2026-10 | contractor guide (Legacy Industrial Coatings) |
| high-build epoxy 20 to 60 mils, same basis | 53.82 to 96.88 (5 to 9), 2026-10 | installed | US, Dallas-Fort Worth | 2026-10 | contractor guide (Legacy Industrial Coatings) |
| flake system, same basis | 64.58 to 107.64 (6 to 10), 2026-10 | installed | US, Dallas-Fort Worth | 2026-10 | contractor guide (Legacy Industrial Coatings) |
| moisture mitigation add-on, same basis | 32.29 to 86.11 (3 to 8), 2026-10 | installed | US, Dallas-Fort Worth | 2026-10 | contractor guide (Legacy Industrial Coatings) |
Price per area by system: epoxy and resin flooring cost.
On commercial floors, a Dallas-Fort Worth contractor guide dated 2026-10 lists installed thin-film epoxy at USD 32.29 to 64.58 per m² (USD 3 to 6 per ft²). The sources above publish no dated range for commercial polyaspartic floors or for markets outside the US, so a quote for those jobs rests on the system, the area, the preparation and the moisture work.
Which Coating Fits Which Situation?#
Choose by exposure, schedule and slab: epoxy where the floor is indoors, dry and can close for a day or more; polyaspartic where sunlight, cold or a one-day return matter; spray polyurea where the job is a waterproofing membrane. The decision table sets each situation against the three coatings and names the condition that decides it.
| Situation | Epoxy | Polyaspartic | Polyurea | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor dry warehouse | fits | fits | membrane only | floor can close a day or more; no UV |
| Sunlit or open garage | base coat only | fits as topcoat or full system | aliphatic topcoat over aromatic grades | aromatic epoxy yellows under UV |
| Cold slab | no below +10 °C (50 °F) (Sikafloor-264 N) | from 1.7 °C (35 °F) (GP4850) | from 8 °C (46 °F) (Sikalastic-851) | data-sheet window |
| One-day return | no: foot traffic about 24 h at 20 °C (68 °F) (Sikafloor-264 N) | fits: foot 6 h, wheels 24 h at 25 °C (77 °F) (GP4850) | cure 24 h at 20 °C (68 °F) (Sikalastic-851) | temperature stated |
| Damp slab on grade | barrier above 4 % CM (Sikafloor-264 N) | moisture barrier on slab on grade (GP4850) | surface moisture below 5 % (Maxelastic Poly-M) | test first; limits are the maker's |
| Decorative flake or metallic | base coat and binder | clear topcoat | not compared | see decorative resin floors |
| Wet thermal shock | not this comparison | not this comparison | not this comparison | polyurethane-cement at 6 to 12 mm (typical product values): polyurethane cement floors |
| Deck or roof waterproofing | no | no | fits as a membrane (EAD 030350-00-0402 kits) | membrane, not a floor coat |
| Other pairs | construction chemicals compared |
Garage systems combine the chemistries rather than pick one: an epoxy basecoat with a flake broadcast and a polyaspartic or aliphatic polyurethane topcoat, or polyaspartic throughout. System choice, flake builds and hot-tire behavior of garage floor coatings are covered under garage floor coatings.
When should you not use epoxy flooring?#
Four conditions rule out an epoxy floor coat, and they are listed below.
- Sunlight: aromatic epoxy yellows and chalks under UV, so a sunlit floor needs a UV-stable topcoat or another chemistry.
- Cold slab: Sikafloor-264 N needs substrate and air at +10 °C (50 °F) or more, and resin floor cure slows below that temperature.
- Damp slab without a barrier: thin epoxy systems blister osmotically on damp slabs, so a slab above the maker's moisture limit takes a barrier first.
- Same-day return: Sikafloor-264 N needs about 24 h at 20 °C (68 °F) before foot traffic, against 6 h at 25 °C (77 °F) for GP4850.
Disadvantages of polyaspartic and polyurea coatings#
Polyaspartic trades working time for speed, and spray polyurea trades simplicity for equipment. The three polyaspartic failure modes are listed below.
- Lap lines: a short pot life leaves laps where a wet edge meets a drying one.
- Delamination: coats lift over damp slabs on grade laid without a moisture barrier.
- Tire staining and intercoat failure: no product guarantees against tire staining, and overcoating outside the recoat window loses adhesion.
The three spray polyurea failure modes are listed below.
- Pinholing: the film pinholes when the substrate temperature rises during spraying.
- Delamination and off-ratio spray: damp or poorly prepared substrates release the membrane, and off-ratio spray leaves soft areas.
- UV yellowing: aromatic grades yellow and chalk without an aliphatic topcoat.
How Do Epoxy and Polyaspartic Work Together in One System?#
Epoxy and polyaspartic work together as layers of one floor: an epoxy base coat carries adhesion and build, and a polyaspartic or polyurea topcoat carries UV stability.
An aliphatic polyurethane is the other UV-stable topcoat over epoxy, applied thinner and slower to cure than a polyaspartic. The epoxy vs polyurethane floor coatings pairing differs in hardness, flexibility and chemical resistance, compared in epoxy vs polyurethane floor coatings.
Epoxy, polyaspartic and polyurea FAQs#
The four answers below cover recoating, garages, polyurethane and resin flooring.
Can you put polyaspartic over epoxy?#
Yes: GP4850 lists 2.9 MPa (425 psi) adhesion over an epoxy primer and asks for the epoxy to be abraded with 60 to 80 grit. Overcoating outside the recoat window loses intercoat adhesion.
Is polyurea better than epoxy for a garage floor?#
Only under conditions: polyaspartic or polyurea wins on UV stability and return to service, epoxy on build and on installed cost in the 2026 vendor guide above. The decision table sets out each condition.
Which is better, polyurethane or polyaspartic?#
Polyaspartic cures faster, 1 to 4 h against 6 to 12 h dry-to-touch for a two-component aliphatic polyurethane (technology review, 2016), while an aliphatic polyurethane topcoat is thinner, 70 to 80 µm DFT per coat for Sikafloor 315.
Other polyurethane floor coatings and topcoats are described under polyurethane floor coatings and topcoats.
What is the difference between epoxy and resin flooring?#
Epoxy is one of five resin floor chemistries, with polyurethane, polyurethane-cement, polyaspartic or polyurea, and MMA. Every epoxy floor is a resin floor, but not every resin floor is epoxy.