What’s the Difference Between Epoxy, Terrazzo, Quartz, and Polyurethane Flooring?
1. Epoxy Flooring
What it is: A poured resin system over concrete that produces a hard, tough surface.
Composition: Epoxy resin + hardener (chemical reaction produces hard plastic-like surface)
Finish: Glossy, seamless, smooth or textured
Durability: High — impact, abrasion, and chemical resistant
Best for: Warehouses, industrial plants, garages, commercial restaurants
Pros:
- Very tough
- Chemical resistant
- Easy to clean
- Can be colored with colors, flakes, etc.
Cons:
- May be slippery when wet
- UV yellowing
- Hard (will crack if substrate moves)
2. Terrazzo Flooring
What it is: Decorative flooring where marble, granite, or glass chips are added to a binder (epoxy or cement) and polished.
Composition: Aggregates (glass, marble, etc.) + binder (epoxy or cement)
Finish: Highly polished, smooth, decorative
Durability: Extremely durable, long-lived (can be decades)
Best for: High-end commercial buildings, airports, schools, lobbies
Advantages:
- Very aesthetically pleasing and can be tailored to fit an architect’s or builder’s need
- Long lifespan
- Low maintenance
Disadvantages:
- High installation cost
- Needs specialized labor
- May craze if substrate shifts
3. Quartz Flooring
Description: A blend of colored quartz sand granules and epoxy or urethane resin to create a textured, slip-resistant, hard finish.
Composition: Epoxy or urethane resin + quartz sand granules
Finish: Textured, slip-resistant
Durability: Extremely high — impact and chemical resistant
Best used for: Locker rooms, commercial kitchens, cleanrooms, medical facilities
Advantages:
- Slip-resistant
- Decorative and long-lasting
- Chemical and abrasion resistant
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to install evenly
- May have to be resealed from time to time
- Less glossy than epoxy
4. Polyurethane Flooring
Description: Rigid, chemical-resistant resin floor, normally called for when good thermal or impact resistance is needed.
Composition: Polyurethane resin + hardener
Appearance: Can be matte or gloss, elastic but only slightly
Wear and tear: High — superior thermal shock and impact resistance to epoxy
Ideal for: Food and beverage processing plants, cold storage, production floors
Strengths:
- Resists thermal cycling (hot/cold)
- Flexible — more impact absorption than epoxy
- UV stable (will not yellow)
Weaknesses:
- More expensive than epoxy
- Shorter pot life (dries rapidly — harder to handle)
- Soft but a little bit harder than epoxy (less scratch-resistant)
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- Sales@Chemcoats.com
- +91 9962699888