Polyaspartic Polyurea Sealers & Coatings

If you want to enjoy your concrete flooring or countertops, year after year, season after season, you’ll need to have a high-quality protective sealer or coating applied. There isn’t a single sealing or coating product that is right for every single concrete application, which is why it’s imperative that you really consider the surface and the conditions before choosing your sealer or coating and alter the application process to fit the product and the flooring. For many homeowners, a polyaspartic polyurea coating or sealer may be a better option than epoxy or polyurethane.

Why Opt For A Polyaspartic Polyurea?

What makes polyaspartic polyurea coatings a great choice for protecting and sealing concrete floors and countertops?

• Speed. One major reason homeowners opt for polyaspartic sealers and coatings is that they are able to be installed in a single day. Curing times range from 5 minutes to 2 hours.
• UV Stability. Epoxies are not UV stable, which is why they are not recommended for outdoor concrete applications. On the other hand, polyaspartic polyurea coatings offer excellent exterior concrete protection and will not yellow when exposed to sunlight.
• Low to No VOC. VOCs or volatile organic compounds are a concern for some homeowners, but because of the composition and solids content of polyaspartic polyurea coatings, VOCs are a non-issue.
• Resilience. Once cured, a polyaspartic coating can withstand temperatures of up to 350 degrees and resist staining (even from red wine, fats, and oils) and scuffing, which is great news for countertops and heavily trafficked areas. In fact, these coatings are considered to be more scuff- and scratch-resistant than epoxies and polyurethanes.
• Clear Finish. Polyaspartic coatings provide clear, high-gloss protection and will prevent moisture-induced efflorescence.

Additionally, polyaspartic sealers provide a high film build and when the concrete is properly prepared and the coating is professionally installed by a knowledgeable and experienced expert, application can be successful regardless of surface temperatures and humidity levels. If the sealer is not properly and carefully applied, however, the surface can bubble, blister, or cure with other imperfections.

There are, however, limitations to consider:

• Polyaspartic polyurea coatings do not do well when exposed to battery acids, which may be a deterrent if you’re considering sealing your garage floor with this particular sealer.
• Polyaspartic polyurea can become rather slippery when wet. If your flooring will likely be exposed to moisture from time to time, you may want to add a grit, sand, or quartz aggregate to the mix to increase slip resistance.
• Because polyaspartics are such tough and durable coatings, they can be very difficult to remove. While this is normally great news, if the coating is poorly installed and cures with imperfections, it can be very difficult to move forward with repairs or removal.

What Is The Installation Process Like?

Like epoxies, polyaspartic coatings involve the mixing of two products – a resin and a catalyst – and should be professionally and carefully applied. The flooring or countertops must be properly prepped and the coating must have the appropriate solids content to ensure proper adhesion to the concrete.  Because the curing time for polyaspartics is so short, it’s imperative that the installer move quickly to prevent bubbling and blistering.

We’re Here To Answer Your Questions & Help With Your Decision

If you’d like to learn more about the Americrete polyaspartic polyurea sealers and coatings we carry here at The Concrete Décor store, please call us at 210-617-7565 or stop by and see us. We’re here to help!

Polyurethane could turn out to be the best sealer for your home’s cement surfaces. We can advise you about the best sealer to use in any situation, so give us a call today.