What Is the Difference Between Epoxy vs Polyurethane?
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Choosing the right paint for your project is fundamental, especially when deciding between a rougher paint texture, like epoxy, and a softer one, like polyurethane. Not to mention, when one is better suited to a completely different application and even has different regulations, it’s important to understand the difference.
So, before you make the ultimate decision, we advise you to read this article to learn how different epoxy vs polyurethane really are, and provide the best coating for your application.
We will discuss:
- What is epoxy?
- What is polyurethane?
- Epoxy vs polyurethane applications
- Epoxy vs polyurethane benefits
- Epoxy vs polyurethane cost
What Is Epoxy?
You may recognise the name as it’s one of the most popular DIY products and is also used by businesses both small and large. Epoxy is an organic compound often found in resin and paint. As a resin, it’s cured through heat, air or chemicals to harden it, but it can also be applied as a liquid.
What Is Polyurethane?
Polyurethane is made from a range of organic compounds and materials, so its recipe and ingredients are never quite the same. These polymers combine diisocyanates and polyols which make it a highly flexible product. Polyurethane is mainly used as foam for insulation, but is also found as paint.
Epoxy vs Polyurethane Applications
Epoxy Applications and Materials
Epoxy is an extremely versatile product with an infinite amount of uses, so if you were to accidentally use the wrong paint, you should hope it’s this. On the other hand, if you have leftover paint and no idea what to do with it, you can put your epoxy towards another project.
Epoxy applications:
- Walls and floors
- Laboratories
- Restaurants and cafes
- Hospitals
- Electronics
- Vehicles
- Construction
Epoxy materials:
- Metal
- Ceramic
- Fibreglass
- Concrete
- Glass
- Wood
- Plastic
Polyurethane Applications and Materials
Polyurethane is also a very diverse product used for multiple applications, but much less so for paint compared to its competitors. When used as paint, it’s most used for industrial applications rather than DIY projects, which comes with a stricter set of regulations.
Polyurethane applications:
- Vehicles
- Vessels
- Pipelines and panelling
- Industrial
- Retail and commercial properties
- Furniture
- Bridges
- Tunnels
- Storage tanks
As for its common materials, it’s largely restricted. Polyurethane is primarily used for industrial steel or as a protective layer for wood.
Epoxy vs Polyurethane Benefits
There is a large difference between epoxy vs polyurethane considering benefits. For example, while epoxy may be highly durable for most applications, polyurethane may offer the perfect resistance for your specific application. So, what are some epoxy benefits compared to polyurethane?
Epoxy Benefits
- Durable
- Long-lasting
- Less coats as it’s thicker
- Non-slip options
- Rougher texture and finish
- Strong adhesive
Polyurethane Benefits
- UV resistance
- Impact resistance
- Abrasion resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Glossy, smoother finish
- Colour doesn’t wear over time
Epoxy vs Polyurethane Cost
At TA Paints, we sell a variety of paints for flooring, kitchens, warehouses, and more. We understand every application has different needs, whether that’s a non-slip coating or a durable swimming pool paint. So, how much does epoxy cost compared to polyurethane?
Epoxy Cost
For epoxy paint, our prices start from just £31.99 to £85.99 per tub, however, we provide discounts for multi-buy orders and nationwide free delivery for most of our products.
Our sizes range from one to five litres, or 5 kg for our biggest option. Whereas, our colour range is typically clear or a white shade, but some of our products have various options.
Polyurethane Cost
For polyurethane paint, our prices start from just £32.99 to £79.99 per tub. If you have a big project and require more paint, we provide discounts for bulk orders and nationwide delivery for most of our products.
Our sizes are from one to five litres, which you can purchase as a clear gloss or protective layer, or choose from a variety of colourful shades.
Epoxy and Polyurethane Paint at TA Paints
Need to make a concrete garage floor non-slip or add a clear coating to ensure a perfect shine and ultimate protection? TA Paints provide nothing but the highest quality epoxy and polyurethane coatings for all types of applications.
As the UK’s leading paint supplier, we pride ourselves on manufacturing all our products in-house. With the ability to solely create each product, we guarantee an extensive range of quality paint.
Because we are an independent business, we are able to offer discounts for bulk orders and free nationwide delivery on selected products. So, if you haven’t ordered enough or you need to get a job done quick, our turnaround time provides you with paint in just one to three days.
If you have any questions about our products, call us today where a member of our team will be happy to answer.
