Garage floors typically take a beating. Salt from your car’s tires on winter roadways, oil leaks, and plenty of muddy boots from the kids can make these floors dirty and stained. If your garage floor serves as a workspace, falling objects like tools and heavy rolling carts can also cause damage.
To protect your floor, you can choose between polyurea and epoxy. Both can coat your floor in a layer of protection that can seal it away from most damage.
These products differ and have their own unique benefits. To help you decide, take a look at our breakdown of polyurea vs. epoxy to make your own decision based on how you use your garage.
What is Polyurea?

Polyurea is an inert elastomeric substance. It’s created by mixing an isocyanate compound with a synthetic resinous compound. It is an elastomer which comes from the step-growth polymerization process. There are numerous formulas out there, and depending on the combination, the outcome may differ between products.
Polyurea is a type of highly adaptable, durable substance that can mold to the shape of the surface it’s placed on. It’s also notable for its high level of overall durability and strength, even under pressure.
The substance isn’t new, though you may not hear much about it being used as a garage floor coating. In fact, when it was first used more than four decades ago, it was the perfect solution for the heavy wear and tear on industrial and warehouse floors. The combination of these noxious compound chemicals interact with each other to create a durable and environmentally friendly product.
Without a doubt, polyurea has numerous benefits as a protective coating, including on garage floors.
What Is Epoxy?

Epoxy garage floor coating is commonly used in busy garages with a lot of traffic due to its non-slick and durable properties.
Epoxy coating is a type of adhesive, and as a polymer, it creates the overall durability it has become so well known for. As a result, it is certainly strong enough to handle most garage floors.
You’ll find polymers, including epoxy, in a wide range of the things you use every day, including rubber and styrofoam. Epoxy is a slightly different version of these polymers.
There are two types of epoxy adhesives: one called heat-cured epoxies, which are often used in industrial applications, and two-part epoxies, which are exceptional for garage floors.
Two-part epoxies have two components: resin, which is often referred to as steel for its durability, and a hardener, which works to cause the epoxy to become less fluid.
Garage Floor Coating Considerations
When it comes to choosing the right garage floor coating, several factors come into play. One of the most critical considerations is the level of durability and chemical resistance required. A polyurea coating might be the better choice if your garage is prone to oil spills, chemical exposure, or heavy foot traffic. Polyurea coatings are highly resistant to chemicals and can withstand heavy use, making them ideal for garages subjected to harsh conditions.
Another factor to consider is the appearance of the coating. Both epoxy and polyurea coatings are available in a range of colors and styles, but polyurea coatings tend to have a more glossy finish. If you’re looking for a coating that will enhance the appearance of your garage, a polyurea coating may be the better choice.
Finally, cost is an important consideration. Epoxy coatings tend to be less expensive than polyurea coatings, but they may not offer the same level of durability and chemical resistance. Polyurea coatings may be more expensive upfront, but they can provide long-term cost savings by reducing the need for repairs and replacements. When choosing a garage floor coating, weighing the initial cost against the potential long-term benefits is essential.
Polyurea Vs. Epoxy: Durability

Because garage floors deal with a variety of substances, heavy weights, dropping items from heights, and rough conditions, they need the most durable product out there. Both products are durable and will create a surface that can handle most types of garage activities with excellent outcomes.
Technically, polyurea is more durable than some epoxy coatings. There are three specific types of epoxy coatings for garage flooring. The 100% solid epoxy is a very durable coating product and can handle just about any type of damage, making it quite capable of standing up to polyurea in durability. By contrast, the other two forms, solvent- and water-based products, are significantly less durable than polyurea.
Polyurea Vs. Epoxy: Installation Process

It’s wise to turn to a professional to install coatings on your garage floor because they both have different installation processes.
Installing Polyurea Garage Floor Coating
To install polyurea floor coating, the liquid is poured onto a fully prepped, clean, and flat floor which should be smooth and without clumps… Once you pour it, it spreads to every area of the surface it can reach, filling in grout lines and any cracks present. You then have several hours before you can walk on it (about 8 for the best outcome). Most of the time, it only takes about 24 hours of application to be able to move everything back into the garage, even your car.
This product doesn’t have an odor like others do and requires no mixing because the air sets the material.
Installing Epoxy Floor Coating
You’ll need to do the same proper surface preparation to install epoxy floor coatings. Most garage floors require two epoxy coatings, though some higher-quality, 100% solid products do not. After pouring onto the surface, it will take 12 to 48 hours to dry fully before you can apply the second coat making the installation process a bit longer. The application process is easy, and most products can be “painted on” easily. It will fill in groves and cracks well.
You will need to keep the space properly vented to install epoxy. Depending on the type, it could be high in VOCs, requiring proper ventilation.
Most epoxy floor coatings can be applied once the surface is cleaned and sanded or acid-etched to create a surface for the substance to hold onto.
To ensure polyurea is level and consistent, more work is required to fill in any imperfections with concrete and, in some situations, add a densifier to the surface to harden it.
Finally, when considering the application of these products and hoping to do the work yourself, epoxy is the better choice with its easy application and available DIY kits. Polyurea requires professional applications in most situations (or should only be tackled by a seasoned DIYer). If it is not placed properly, it may not adhere well, which creates long-term complications for use.
Polyurea Vs. Epoxy: Appearance

The next consideration is the way they look. Many products on the market have notable differences in color and material consistency.
Polyurea allows you to apply different textures and colorings, especially if you decide to place more than one layer of the product. For those who are looking for a highly creative option, that can work well, though it certainly adds to the cost and overall look of the product.
Epoxy garage floors are just as versatile when it comes to the way they look and the texture you can add to them if you desire to do so. Typical colors include tans, blue, and grey, but you can also choose options like white, black, and bright yellow. Remember that adding chips and quartz to epoxy garage floors is possible to enhance the flooring’s shine and overall character and interest. Some choose to add metallic components to create a bit of sheen to the space. There’s really no limit on color or overall look.
Polyurea Vs. Epoxy: Price

Costs matter when choosing a floor coating, but both of these methods are more affordable than removing a damaged concrete garage floor.
Costs also range widely by location, size, and overall type (and quality) of coating product purchased. Typically, polyurea will cost between $7 and $12 per square foot, with some products pushing higher than this considerably. A typical single-car garage is likely to cost around $2,000 for polyurea garage floors.
Epoxy is more readily available and far more versatile. It can easily be found locally, which saves you money if you want to do the work yourself. Epoxy garage floors typically cost between $3 and $7 per square foot. However, some products cost up to $12 per square foot if they are professional/industrial-grade.
Polyurea Vs. Epoxy: Maintenance/Longevity

Another important comparison between polyurea and epoxy is in the maintenance of this product. It’s best to keep these surfaces clean in both situations by removing oil, dirt, and chemicals as soon as possible. Both can handle exposure for a short period of time, with polyurea cleaning up somewhat better.
Polyurea floor coatings are more resistant to damage from drops from heights (such as all those tools off the workbench), and they do better with abrasions. You still need to keep the surface clean to minimize damage to it over time. You’ll likely only need to use soap and water to keep this surface clean.
Keep in mind, though, that polyurea is slippery when wet (and that can be problematic in many garages.) If you are applying it to an area that’s often wet, you’ll want to use a higher-quality product that’s more slip-resistant.
As for longevity, most people don’t want to have to replace these floors any time soon. The removal and replacement are time-consuming, hard physical work, and costly. Choosing the right product can help minimize this risk.
Most epoxy coatings will give you about 5 years of protection before they begin to deteriorate. In busier garages with more heavy use, it could happen sooner than that. You will get much longer out of polyurea, even up to 15 years, with most products lasting at least 10.
UV exposure can be problematic for some types of epoxy floors. It can turn yellow and become less durable when there is constant sunlight. That is not the same with polyurethane, which isn’t impacted in performance from sunlight exposure, though you will need a topcoat if you are placing this in a fully sun-exposed area. Polyurea is more UV resistant, making it the ideal option for outdoor use.
Polyurea Vs. Epoxy: Which Is The Best Garage Floor Coating?

The ultimate decision on which product is best comes down to a few factors. For many homeowners and business owners, epoxy offers a highly durable and cost-effective solution. It’s a popular choice for residential garages and workshops due to its affordability and widespread availability at most home improvement stores. While using a professional for proper installation and longer-lasting results is still beneficial, epoxy requires less prep work than other options, significantly reducing the overall cost.
Epoxy floors are known for their durability, ease of handling most residential garage floors, and easy cleanup. Although reapplication may be necessary every 5 years or so, the process is straightforward and provides an opportunity to refresh and upgrade your flooring. Epoxy’s cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and solid durability make it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their garage or workshop spaces without breaking the bank.
On the other hand, polyurea floor coatings tend to be best for extreme durability in high-impact areas, such as busy workshops or professional garage spaces. It lasts longer, with some products providing an attractive-looking, protected floor for up to 15 years. However, the biggest drawback of polyurea is the significantly higher cost, both for the material itself and for professional installation. Additionally, any necessary repairs or restorations before application can drive the cost up even further.