Two Coatings, One Big DecisionWhen it comes to protecting concrete floors, two names dominate the conversation: epoxy and polyurethane. If you’ve been researching concrete coatings for your home, garage, shop, or commercial facility, you’ve probably seen both come up again and again. And if you're like most people we talk to here in Raleigh, you’re asking the same question: “Which one’s better for my project?” It’s a fair question—and the answer isn’t always obvious. Both epoxy and polyurethane are heavy hitters in the floor coating world. Both can deliver durability, protection, and sleek finishes that make concrete look like new. But they do it in different ways, and they’re not interchangeable. Choosing the wrong system could mean wasting money or ending up with a floor that doesn't hold up under real-world use. At Concrete Conversions, we’ve installed thousands of square feet of both epoxy and polyurethane systems across North Carolina—garage floors, retail spaces, commercial kitchens, warehouses, and everything in between. We know exactly where each product shines, and where it struggles. This post is here to help you make a clear, confident decision. We’re not going to drown you in chemistry or generic lists. We’ll break down what each system really does, how they differ, where they work best, and—most importantly—which one’s right for your space. Let’s get into it. Quick Definitions – What Are Epoxy and Polyurethane?Before we get too deep into comparing performance and price tags, let’s get clear on what we’re actually talking about. Because here’s the reality: a lot of people use “epoxy” as a catch-all term, when in fact, epoxy and polyurethane are two very different types of coatings—with different purposes, chemical structures, and application methods. Epoxy Flooring – The Foundation of Most Coating Systems Epoxy is a two-part thermosetting resin. That means it comes in two components—resin and hardener—that get mixed together before application. Once mixed, it starts curing (not drying) into a solid plastic surface that permanently bonds with the concrete slab beneath it. A well-installed epoxy floor is thick, dense, and incredibly tough. We’re talking about compressive strength strong enough to hold up to forklifts, not just a family sedan. It fills in minor surface imperfections, seals the concrete, and creates a seamless, hard-shell surface that protects against wear and tear. You’ll often hear about epoxy systems being used in:
Epoxy also serves as the base layer for many multi-coat systems. It builds the body of the floor—the heavy-duty, stick-to-the-concrete part of the job. Polyurethane – The Flexible, Durable Topcoat Now let’s talk about polyurethane—often called “urethane” in the coatings industry. This is a thermoplastic elastomer, and it behaves very differently than epoxy. Polyurethane coatings are usually thinner and more flexible. That might sound like a downside at first, but it’s actually one of their biggest strengths. This flexibility gives polyurethane better abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand temperature swings without cracking. It’s especially effective when used as a topcoat over epoxy—which is exactly how we often use it at Concrete Conversions. The epoxy grips the concrete. The polyurethane guards the surface. Together, they form a bulletproof system. You’ll find polyurethane in places where floors take a beating from:
Here’s the key takeaway: Epoxy and polyurethane aren’t rivals—they’re different tools for different jobs. In fact, the strongest systems often use both—epoxy for adhesion and build, polyurethane for flexibility and top-layer protection. But depending on your project, one may stand alone as the better choice. That’s what we’ll unpack next. Durability & Longevity – What Holds Up Best Over Time?If you're investing in a concrete coating, longevity isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s non-negotiable. Whether you're a homeowner in Raleigh looking to protect your garage floor or a facility manager dealing with forklifts and foot traffic, the question is simple: “How long is this going to last?” That’s where the core difference between epoxy and polyurethane becomes impossible to ignore. Epoxy: Tough, Dense, Built for Heavy Load Epoxy is your go-to when brute strength matters. Once cured, it becomes a thick, rock-solid layer that bonds directly to your concrete slab. It doesn't just sit on top—it becomes part of the surface. This makes it perfect for high-load applications like garage floors, industrial facilities, and any area where vehicles, heavy equipment, or machinery will roll, park, or pivot. In terms of compressive strength, epoxy is hard to beat. It shrugs off things like dropped tools, rolling tool chests, and hot tires. It also holds up well under static weight—think car lifts, heavy shelves, or equipment that never moves. If the environment is controlled—meaning it’s indoors, with little to no direct sunlight—an epoxy system can easily last 15 to 20 years with basic upkeep. Polyurethane: Durable Where It Counts, Especially Up Top Polyurethane might not be as thick or rigid, but it shines in its own category: surface resilience. It’s more flexible than epoxy, which makes it better at absorbing impacts and resisting scratches. This makes it ideal for spaces that see a lot of movement—foot traffic, rolling carts, or frequent cleaning cycles. One place where polyurethane outperforms epoxy is UV resistance. While epoxy can yellow over time if exposed to sunlight, polyurethane holds its color and gloss. For that reason alone, we often recommend it in sunlit garages, retail spaces, or anywhere with large windows and natural light. It’s also more resistant to chemicals—cleaners, oils, brake fluids, even certain acids. This matters in auto shops, labs, and food processing environments where spills are routine. Choosing Based on Use — Not Just Strength If your biggest concern is withstanding weight, impacts, and heavy traffic—go epoxy. It’s thick, dense, and delivers unmatched base-layer durability. If your concern is surface abuse—scratches, scuffs, sunlight, or frequent chemical cleaning—polyurethane is the smarter call, especially as a protective top layer. At Concrete Conversions, we’ve seen what happens when people choose the wrong system for their use case. That’s why we often recommend a combined system—epoxy underneath for structural integrity, and polyurethane on top for surface durability. It’s not a gimmick. It’s how you build floors that actually last. Surface Appearance & Customization OptionsWhen most people think about concrete coatings, they picture a smooth gray surface and call it a day. But the truth is, both epoxy and polyurethane offer a lot more in terms of design potential—you just have to know what to ask for. And if you’re in Raleigh or anywhere nearby, where people want floors that perform and look sharp, this is where the decision can get fun. Epoxy: More Customization, More Control Over the Look Epoxy gives you full creative control from the ground up. It’s thicker than polyurethane, which means it can mask imperfections in your slab and deliver a smooth, consistent finish. But it also serves as the foundation for nearly every decorative option out there. Want a clean, solid color? No problem. Prefer something a little more vibrant or textured? Epoxy can be broadcast with:
The beauty of epoxy is that it builds the canvas. It takes pigment beautifully, supports custom flake blends, and sets the tone for whatever finish you’re after. You can match it to your car, brand colors, or just your own personal taste. We’ve worked with homeowners in Raleigh who’ve chosen cool-toned flake blends to match their cabinetry, and business owners who wanted high-gloss floors in their retail space that reflected light and made the room feel bigger. Epoxy handles both with ease. Polyurethane: The Finishing Touch Here’s the thing—polyurethane isn’t used for wild design choices. It’s a topcoat, not a base layer. But it plays a crucial role in locking in the look and fine-tuning the finish. You can choose polyurethane topcoats in gloss, satin, or matte finishes. If you want your flake or metallic epoxy to really pop, go high-gloss. If you want to reduce glare or make the floor more subtle, satin or matte does the job without killing the color. Polyurethane also enhances color stability. It keeps your epoxy from yellowing under sunlight or fading in high-traffic areas. Think of it like adding a protective seal over a painted surface—it doesn’t change the color underneath, but it protects it from whatever the world throws at it. Making It Yours If you’re a homeowner looking to clean up a dusty, stained garage and give it a fresh, modern look, a solid color epoxy system with a satin polyurethane topcoat might be your best bet. Want more texture and depth? Go for a custom flake blend with a UV-stable topcoat. Commercial property owners might lean into light-reflective finishes to brighten large spaces, or slip-resistant matte finishes for safety and compliance. Whatever your style or use case, epoxy gives you the design flexibility, and polyurethane locks it in for the long haul. Application & Installation DifferencesThis is the part nobody wants to think about—until their floor fails. Because no matter how good the product is, if the installation process is wrong, rushed, or incomplete, the coating won’t last. It’ll peel. It’ll bubble. It’ll flake. And you’ll be right back where you started, with more cost and more frustration. Let’s talk about what it really takes to install epoxy and polyurethane correctly—and where they differ behind the scenes. Epoxy: Requires Heavy Prep, but Builds the Base Epoxy is all about bonding. For it to work, the concrete needs to be prepped properly. That doesn’t mean a sweep and a quick rinse. We’re talking mechanical grinding with diamond tooling to open up the pores of the concrete. This allows the epoxy to sink in, grab hold, and create a permanent bond. If you skip this step—or try to shortcut it with acid etching or pressure washing—you’re asking for failure. The coating won’t last. That’s why we never cut corners on prep at Concrete Conversions. Period. Once the slab is ground and cleaned, epoxy is mixed on-site and installed in layers:
Epoxy has a longer working time than polyurethane, which gives installers more control during the application process. But once it cures, it’s done—it becomes rock hard, and nothing’s going to move it. Average cure time: 8 to 24 hours per coat, depending on temperature and humidity. Polyurethane: Fast, Sensitive, and Not DIY-Friendly Polyurethane is more temperamental. It reacts faster, cures faster, and is very sensitive to moisture and humidity—two things we get plenty of in North Carolina. That means installation needs to be precise and professional. There’s a narrower window to apply it, and you’ve got to nail the environmental conditions or you risk bubbling, fisheyes, or a patchy finish. While polyurethane is rarely used alone (unless in specific topcoat-only systems), it’s the finishing layer in most professional multi-coat floors. It needs to be applied thin, even, and clean—because it’s the final touch. Any mistakes at this stage are visible and permanent. And because it cures so fast, there’s very little room for error. You need a crew that knows exactly what they’re doing. Average cure time: 4 to 8 hours, sometimes less, depending on product type. Which Is Easier to Install? Neither—If You Want It to Last Let’s be clear—neither epoxy nor polyurethane is “easy” to install if you’re expecting a high-performance, long-lasting result. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either selling a DIY kit or planning to cut corners. Epoxy gives you more time to work but demands precise concrete prep. Polyurethane gives you less time but finishes the job with chemical and UV resistance that epoxy alone can’t match. If you’re in the Raleigh area and you want a floor that doesn’t just look good on day one but still looks good five years from now, professional installation is non-negotiable. And yes—we do both. Slip Resistance, Chemical Resistance & SafetyNow let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention until it’s a problem: how safe is your floor under real conditions? Whether it’s a garage, a commercial kitchen, a warehouse, or even a home gym—surfaces need to do more than just look good. They need to perform safely under pressure. Here’s where epoxy and polyurethane start to separate in terms of real-world resistance—not just durability, but how they hold up to chemicals, moisture, and traction underfoot. Slip Resistance – It’s All About the Top Layer Both epoxy and polyurethane can be slippery when they’re finished in a high-gloss topcoat. That glossy finish looks sharp, sure—but when you add water, oil, or even humidity to the equation, it becomes a liability. That’s why slip resistance has nothing to do with the base product, and everything to do with how the top layer is built. At Concrete Conversions, we add anti-slip grit directly into the topcoat when traction is a priority. That might be a fine silica, aluminum oxide, or polymer additive depending on the environment. It doesn’t change the look much, but it gives the surface the bite it needs to stay safe. For residential garages, we often recommend a medium-grit flake system sealed with a satin finish. It’s clean, easy to sweep, but adds just enough traction for safety. In commercial kitchens, we’ll go heavier on texture to meet code and minimize slip hazards when things get messy. The key takeaway: If you're worried about slips, it’s not about epoxy vs. polyurethane—it’s about how that final coat is customized. Chemical Resistance – Polyurethane Has the Edge If your space is exposed to regular chemical use—think car fluids, solvents, cleaning agents, or sanitizers—then polyurethane is the clear winner on this front. Epoxy holds up well to many substances, but over time, certain chemicals (like brake fluid, battery acid, or alcohol-based cleaners) can etch or stain the surface. Polyurethane, on the other hand, offers superior chemical and abrasion resistance, making it ideal for environments like:
That’s why we often install epoxy as the durable base coat, then seal it with a polyurethane topcoat to shield against spills, splashes, and heavy-duty cleaning. Safety and Compliance in High-Use Environments For commercial and industrial settings in Raleigh and beyond, floor safety isn’t just about comfort—it’s about liability and compliance. OSHA and other regulatory bodies often require specific levels of slip resistance or chemical containment. If your facility doesn’t meet those standards, it could mean more than just accidents—it could mean fines. Epoxy and polyurethane systems can be customized to meet these standards—but only if they’re installed by professionals who understand what’s required. We’ve helped clients upgrade unsafe or outdated flooring systems with custom solutions that meet safety regs and hold up long-term. From commercial kitchens to warehouse corridors, getting it right the first time matters. Which Coating Works Best for Which Project?Here’s the part most people actually care about: “Just tell me what works best for my space.” You’ve read about durability, appearance, safety, and chemical resistance. Now it’s time to apply all that to real scenarios—because what works in a residential garage probably isn’t the best solution for a commercial kitchen, and vice versa. Let’s break it down the way we do with our clients at Concrete Conversions. Garage Floors (Residential or Commercial) This one’s easy: epoxy wins. You want something that can stand up to hot tires, dropped tools, oil drips, and the weight of vehicles. A full broadcast flake epoxy system is ideal here. It’s strong, hides dirt, looks great, and lasts for years. Add a polyurethane topcoat if you’ve got a lot of sunlight pouring in or want extra chemical resistance. That combo is our most popular choice for garages across Raleigh. Warehouses and Manufacturing Facilities Go with an epoxy base coat topped with polyurethane. You need the strength of epoxy to hold up to machinery and pallet jacks, but the surface resilience of polyurethane helps resist scuffs, chemical spills, and frequent cleaning. If forklifts are part of the picture, we’ll dial in the thickness of the epoxy layer to match the use case. For large industrial spaces, it’s all about system design—not just one product. Auto Shops & Service Bays Polyurethane becomes a must here. Motor oil, brake fluid, degreasers—these all eat into standard coatings over time. Epoxy alone may look good for the first year, but it won’t hold up without a polyurethane finish. In this case, the polyurethane topcoat isn’t optional—it’s essential. Commercial Kitchens, Breweries, and Food Prep Areas Chemical resistance and slip resistance are the top priorities. A polyurethane topcoat over epoxy is the right approach here, applied with the right texture to reduce slips in wet environments. The flexibility of polyurethane also helps where thermal cycling (hot equipment, cold floors) is common. Retail Spaces, Showrooms, and Lobbies If your space needs to look good and handle high foot traffic, you want a system that offers both appearance and surface durability. Epoxy for the base, polyurethane for the finish. We often go with satin or matte polyurethane in these applications to reduce glare and keep things elegant. If the space has large windows or gets hit with a lot of sun, this is where polyurethane really earns its keep by stopping UV yellowing. Basements and Utility Areas These are typically low-traffic and mostly residential. A standard epoxy system without a polyurethane topcoat can be enough—especially if there’s no sunlight exposure and little risk of chemical spills. We’ll often recommend moisture vapor barriers depending on the condition of the slab, but epoxy does the heavy lifting here. So, Which Coating Is Right for You? The truth is, we rarely recommend epoxy or polyurethane on their own. Most of the time, it’s about using both in the right order. Epoxy for strength and bonding. Polyurethane for protection and longevity. But here’s the good news—you don’t need to guess. We’ll look at your space, talk through your needs, and build a system that works the first time. No upsells. No shortcuts. Just the right floor for the right job. Cost Comparison & Value Over TimeLet’s talk about the number one concern for most clients once they’ve narrowed down their coating options: the cost. And more importantly—is it worth it? We get this question all the time in Raleigh: “Is epoxy more expensive than polyurethane?” “Can I just use one to save money?” “What’s the most cost-effective option that still lasts?” Let’s break it down without the fluff. Upfront Costs – Epoxy Is Typically More Affordable If we’re comparing material costs alone, epoxy usually comes in lower than polyurethane. It’s easier to work with, more readily available, and doesn’t require the same level of ventilation or humidity control during install. That means less labor complexity, which can lower install costs too. For homeowners wanting a basic solid color garage floor, epoxy-only systems can absolutely be a budget-friendly solution that still gives you years of performance—if the concrete is in good shape and the exposure is minimal. But if your floor is exposed to sunlight, traffic, moisture, or chemicals, skipping the topcoat to save money is a gamble. One that usually costs more in the long run. Polyurethane Adds Cost—But Extends Life Adding a polyurethane topcoat increases material and labor costs. There’s no way around it—it’s a premium product. It requires a higher level of installer control, faster working times, and strict environmental parameters. But here’s where it balances out: it drastically increases the lifespan and performance of your floor. Without it, epoxy can start to yellow, scratch, or wear unevenly over time—especially in high-traffic or high-UV spaces. With polyurethane protecting it, that floor can stay looking new for twice as long. You’re not just buying longevity—you’re reducing maintenance, repairs, and early replacement. In a commercial setting, that matters. Recoating 10,000 square feet of warehouse space is a big deal. Doing it once every 15 years instead of every 5? That’s serious long-term savings. The Real Value Is in the Right System At Concrete Conversions, we never throw one-size-fits-all numbers at our clients. The cost of your coating system depends on:
So if you're trying to decide between epoxy and polyurethane based on price alone, ask yourself a better question: “Which system will still be holding up five years from now?” The answer to that almost always includes both—epoxy and polyurethane—working together. What We Recommend at Concrete ConversionsBy now, you’ve probably figured it out: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Anyone promising that epoxy or polyurethane is always the best choice probably isn’t thinking about your actual space. At Concrete Conversions, we take a different approach. We’ve worked on everything from two-car garages in downtown Raleigh to massive warehouse floors in the surrounding areas—and the right answer is always the one that fits the space, the usage, and the budget. Here’s how we typically guide our clients:
What matters most is that your floor works for your environment, your business, and your goals. We don’t sell you a product. We install systems that are designed for real-world abuse. And if you’re not sure what your space needs? That’s what we’re here for. Talk to the Local Pros Who Actually Know This StuffThere’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to epoxy and polyurethane coatings—generic advice, product pitches, and DIY kits that promise the world but don’t deliver.
That’s not how we operate. At Concrete Conversions, we’re not trying to push one coating or upsell you on a trend. We’re here to look at your floor, understand your goals, and design a system that’s going to hold up for the long haul. Whether you're a homeowner protecting your garage or a business upgrading high-use commercial space, we’ll give you straight answers and professional results. Want a garage floor that doesn’t crack, peel, or fade? Running a busy shop and tired of floor damage from chemicals or foot traffic? Or maybe you just need help figuring out where to start? Call Brandon or Christy today at (919) 273-4233 or email [email protected]. Let’s talk about your space, your priorities, and how we can build a floor that performs exactly the way you need it to. We’re based right here in North Carolina, and we know what local homes and businesses need—not just to look good on day one, but to last.
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