General information for homeowners, not legal, code or engineering advice. Permit and code rules change and vary by municipality; check product instructions and your installer’s recommendations, and ask your local building office if you are unsure whether any work needs a permit.
If you’ve started researching garage floors in Colorado Springs, you’ve probably seen “epoxy” and “polyaspartic” used as if one is obviously better. In practice, many professional systems use both. Here’s a plain-English look at what each material is, how installers often combine them, and why the prep under the coating matters more than the label on the can.
What epoxy is
Epoxy is a two-part coating that hardens into a thick, tough layer. It bonds well to properly ground concrete and builds up film thickness, which is why it is so often used as the base coat. Some epoxies can yellow or chalk with long sun exposure, so they are commonly protected with a different topcoat.
What polyaspartic is
Polyaspartic is a type of polyurea coating. It generally cures faster than epoxy, and many products are UV-stable, so it is frequently used as a clear topcoat. Some installers also use it for more of the system. Fast curing can mean a shorter job, but it also gives the installer less working time, which is one reason it is a professional product.
How contractors often combine them
- Epoxy base, polyaspartic or polyurethane top: a common approach that pairs epoxy’s build and bond with a UV-stable, wear-resistant topcoat.
- All epoxy: still used, especially indoors or where sun exposure is low.
- Mostly polyaspartic: some installers use it for faster turnaround.
Each approach can work well. Ask the installer which they use and why it suits your garage.
What matters more than the material
- Prep: mechanical grinding so the coating bonds to clean, open concrete.
- Moisture: testing and treating a slab that has vapor coming through.
- Repairs: filling cracks and spalls before coating.
- Thickness and number of coats: enough material for vehicle traffic.
- Conditions on install day: temperature and humidity within the product’s range.
Questions to ask an installer
- What goes in each layer of your system?
- How do you prep the slab, and how do you control dust?
- Do you test for moisture?
- How does the topcoat handle sun, hot tires and de-icing chemicals?
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
Why this is a job for a pro
Both materials are sold in consumer kits, but the results depend on grinding equipment, correct mixing and timing, and experience reading a slab. This site connects Colorado Springs homeowners with local installers. See garage floor coating orrequest a free written estimate.