Epoxy vs Polyaspartic: Which Garage Floor Coating Is Right for You?

When homeowners start researching garage floor coatings, two names come up more than any other: epoxy and polyaspartic. Both are excellent coatings, but they work differently, cost differently, and perform differently depending on the situation.

So which one is actually better? The answer might surprise you -- because at AVS Painting, we use both. Here is why, and what you need to know to make the right choice for your garage.

What Is Epoxy?

Epoxy is a two-part coating made from a resin and a hardener. When mixed, they trigger a chemical reaction (called crosslinking) that creates an incredibly hard, durable surface. Epoxy has been the gold standard for garage and industrial floors for decades.

Key characteristics of epoxy:

• Thick build. 100% solids epoxy can be applied at 10-20 mils per coat -- that is a substantial, armor-like layer on your floor.
• Excellent chemical resistance. Handles oil, gasoline, brake fluid, and most household chemicals without issue.
• Strong adhesion. When applied to properly prepped concrete, epoxy bonds at a molecular level.
• Affordable. Epoxy costs less per square foot than polyaspartic, making it a great value for the base coat.
• Longer cure time. Typically 12-24 hours between coats, and 72 hours before driving on it.

What Is Polyaspartic?

Polyaspartic is a type of aliphatic polyurea -- a newer, more advanced coating technology. It was developed to address some of epoxy's limitations, particularly UV stability and cure time.

Key characteristics of polyaspartic:

• UV stable. Will not yellow or amber when exposed to sunlight. This is a major advantage for garages with windows or open doors.
• Fast cure. Can be walked on in 4-6 hours and driven on in 24 hours. Some professional formulations cure even faster.
• Excellent abrasion resistance. Polyaspartic topcoats are harder than epoxy and resist scratching from tires, tools, and foot traffic.
• Temperature flexible. Can be applied in a wider range of temperatures (as low as 30 degrees F in some formulations), making it ideal for New England projects in shoulder seasons.
• Thinner build. Typically applied at 3-6 mils per coat, so it does not build thickness as quickly as epoxy.
• Higher material cost. Polyaspartic resins cost roughly 2-3x more than epoxy per gallon.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Epoxy	Polyaspartic
Cure Time	12-24 hrs between coats; 72 hrs to drive on	2-6 hrs between coats; 24 hrs to drive on
UV Resistance	Poor -- yellows/ambers over time	Excellent -- no yellowing
Thickness Per Coat	10-20 mils (thick, armor-like)	3-6 mils (thinner, harder film)
Chemical Resistance	Excellent	Very Good
Abrasion Resistance	Good	Excellent
Material Cost	Lower ($)	Higher ($$$)
Temperature Range	50-90 degrees F	30-90 degrees F
Hot Tire Pickup	Can occur without topcoat	Resistant
Gloss Retention	Good initially, dulls over years	Excellent long-term gloss

When to Choose Epoxy

Epoxy is the right choice when:

• You need a thick, heavy-duty base coat for maximum impact resistance (workshops, heavy equipment)
• Chemical resistance is a top priority (automotive shops, industrial facilities)
• You are on a tighter budget and want the most protection per dollar
• The floor will not get direct sunlight (basements, interior commercial spaces)

When to Choose Polyaspartic

Polyaspartic is the right choice when:

• Speed matters -- you need the garage back in service quickly (1-day installation is possible)
• The floor gets direct sunlight and you want zero yellowing
• You want maximum scratch and abrasion resistance on the surface
• You are installing in cold weather (late fall / early spring in New England)
• You want the floor to maintain its glossy, showroom look for years

The AVS Approach: Why We Use Both

Here is our proven system:

1. Diamond grind the concrete for a proper mechanical profile
2. Apply 100% solids epoxy as the base coat -- this gives you the thickness, chemical resistance, and adhesion that polyaspartic alone cannot match
3. Broadcast decorative flakes into the wet epoxy for texture and color
4. Seal with a polyaspartic topcoat -- this locks in the flakes, provides UV stability, scratch resistance, and that deep glossy finish that will not yellow

This combination gives you the best of both worlds:

• The thick, chemically resistant base of epoxy
• The UV stability, hardness, and fast return-to-service of polyaspartic
• A floor that will look incredible and perform flawlessly for 15-25+ years

This is why we back every installation with our 10-year product guarantee. When both products are used correctly on properly prepped concrete, the result is a floor that genuinely lasts a lifetime.

The Bottom Line

Epoxy and polyaspartic are not competitors -- they are teammates. If someone tells you that you need to choose one or the other, they are either cutting corners or do not understand the chemistry. The best garage floor uses epoxy where epoxy excels (base coat thickness and adhesion) and polyaspartic where polyaspartic excels (topcoat hardness and UV resistance).