Epoxy floor systems vs PU floor systems

When there is a need to renovate or build a new factory or commercial floor, epoxy and PU are always two different coating options, especially in environments that need to meet specific needs such as needing to withstand high loads, or resistant to chemicals, such as the floor of a food processing or pharmaceutical production facility. Epoxy and PU are relatively similar in surface finish, as well as providing a seamless floor system that is easy to clean and resist stains, although there are differences in properties such as hardness, chemical resistance. quality, thermal shock resistance, impact resistance…Each type of material will have its own strengths and weaknesses that customers need to pay attention to.

Overall

Epoxy can be made of water, solvents, or entirely polymer resins. Epoxy adheres to the floor and provides a hard and durable coating. Suitable for industrial floors in areas subject to high loads or heavy machinery, or where high impact and corrosion resistance is required. Epoxy is also resistant to certain chemicals and moisture, making it suitable for factory floors or the like. Epoxy is the ideal material for renovating old floors. PU is another commonly used material for commercial floors, because of its durability and flexibility. PU has many different formulations that make a difference in the performance of the material such as abrasion resistance, UV resistance (no fading or yellowing over time). In addition, PU provides a thinner surface finish than epoxy, thereby reducing floor stiffness, so may not be suitable for areas requiring high loads, and high adhesion levels of PU. It is also relatively poor in concrete than epoxy, so PU is often used in PU mortar flooring. The PU grout floor system is made from PU material, along with sand and cement, creating a higher adhesion ability for objects, and at the same time ensuring the requirements of the PU floor system.

Epoxy floor systems vs PU floor systems

Temperature

For environments subject to many changes in temperature, it is more effective to choose a floor material made from PU. The epoxy floor system can withstand the boiling temperature of water in water treatment areas or kitchens, but in environments with a larger temperature difference, priority should be given to PU flooring. PU flooring system can withstand many temperature changes, withstand thermal shock, sudden heat and cold often found in cold storage, pharmaceutical factories,….

Moisture

The seamless epoxy floor system has a certain level of moisture resistance, waterproofing, and anti-slip properties in water-rich areas such as industrial kitchens, toilets, and cleaning areas. The PU floor system has the ability to seal, prevent the penetration of water vapor, along with high resistance to steam. As a result, PU flooring provides an antibacterial hygienic floor surface that helps protect against the growth of bacteria and mold. Therefore, with a high humidity environment, consider using PU flooring to bring higher efficiency.

Hardness

Epoxy floor with high hardness of the material, and the hardness can be further increased with pigment granules. Seamless epoxy floor system, no joints, can be combined with other additives, such as silver ions, to improve the antibacterial ability of the floor.

Kháng tia cực tím

Epoxy không thể sử dụng ở khu vực ngoài trời, vì sẽ bị phai màu và ố vàng theo thời gian. Trong khi đó sàn PU ít bị ảnh hưởng bởi tia UV khi được sử dụng ở ngoài trời. Vì vậy hệ sàn PU phù hợp để sử dụng ở những khu vực tiếp xúc trực tiếp mặt trời như bãi đỗ xe, bể bơi… Epoxy cannot be used in outdoor areas, as it will fade and yellow over time. Meanwhile, PU flooring is less affected by UV rays when used outdoors. Therefore, the PU flooring system is suitable for use in areas directly exposed to the sun such as parking lots, swimming pools…

Chemical resistant

Both epoxy and PU are resistant to certain chemicals, such as cleaning chemicals and some acids and bases commonly found in food processing plants. Chemical resistance of the material means the ability to resist peeling, no discoloration, little cracking, impermeability by the effects of these chemicals. However, when used for industrial flooring, the PU floor system is more resistant to many chemicals, especially cleaning chemicals commonly used in food processing plants, production lines, warehouses .. . Choosing the right flooring depends on the needs of the customer. Depending on the degree of adhesion to the floor, the wear resistance of the floor, as well as the UV resistance of the floor, the degree of waterproofing, and chemical resistance, the appropriate flooring system is selected for the facility. Flooring is considered appropriate when it meets the needs of the facility. Each material has its own strengths, yet both provide a sustainable, seamless flooring system that meets many distinct design standards.