You’re comparing epoxy vs polyaspartic for your garage floor. Both are professional-grade coatings. Both beat DIY kits. But they solve different problems — and the price gap ($6–9 vs $10–15 per sq ft) matters.
At Epoxy Flooring Van, we install both across Greater Vancouver. This guide gives you the straight comparison — cure time, UV stability, durability, cost — so you can decide before you call.
Quick Comparison: Epoxy vs Polyaspartic
| Factor | 100% Solids Epoxy | Polyaspartic |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (installed) | $6–9/sq ft | $10–15/sq ft |
| Cure time (walk on) | 24 hours | 2–4 hours |
| Full cure (vehicle) | 72 hours | 24 hours |
| UV stability | ❌ Yellows in sun | ✅ Never yellows |
| Abrasion resistance | Excellent | 2–3× epoxy |
| Chemical resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Moisture tolerance | Moderate (needs MVB if >3 lbs) | High (handles damp slabs better) |
| Install temp range | 10–30°C | –10°C to 35°C |
| Typical project (400 sq ft) | $2,400–3,600 | $4,000–6,000 |
Pricing from our live calculator. Includes standard prep (good condition). Adds $0.50–2.00/sq ft for fair/poor prep.
When to Choose Epoxy ($6–9/sq ft)
- Garage doesn’t get direct sun (north-facing, shaded, interior)
- Budget is the driver — epoxy saves $1,500–2,500 on a 2-car garage
- Standard residential use — 1–2 vehicles, light foot traffic
- You can wait 3 days for full cure before parking
Real talk: 100% solids epoxy is the industry standard for a reason. It bonds incredibly well, resists oil/gas/salt, and lasts 15–20 years in a typical garage. The yellowing only happens with direct UV — if your garage door stays closed or faces north, you’ll never see it.
When to Choose Polyaspartic ($10–15/sq ft)
- Garage gets direct sun (south/west-facing, door open often)
- Need it fast — walk on in 2–4 hrs, park in 24 hrs
- High traffic / commercial — forklifts, pallet jacks, heavy equipment
- Damp slab / moisture risk — polyaspartic handles vapor better
- Winter install — cures down to –10°C
The premium is worth it if: You’ll see the floor in sunlight, you need the space back tomorrow, or you’re coating a showroom/commercial bay where appearance matters long-term.
Vancouver-Specific Factors
| Neighbourhood | Typical Conditions | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, Delta, low-lying Surrey | High water table, damp slabs | Polyaspartic (better moisture tolerance) + MVB |
| North/West Vancouver | Steep driveways, sun exposure | Polyaspartic (UV stable) |
| Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam | Newer builds, standard conditions | Epoxy (cost-effective) |
| Vancouver East Side | Older slabs, mixed sun | Epoxy + anti-slip (or polyaspartic if south-facing) |
| Vancouver West Side | High labor cost, difficult access | Polyaspartic (faster = less labor hours) |
Project Examples (2025–2026)
Project A: 2-Car Garage, Burnaby (400 sq ft) — Epoxy
- Conditions: 15-year-old slab, minor cracks, north-facing (no sun)
- System: 100% solids epoxy, decorative flake, anti-slip
- Prep: Diamond grind + crack fill (good condition)
- Total: $3,200 ($8/sq ft)
- Timeline: 2 days
Project B: 2-Car Garage, Richmond (400 sq ft) — Polyaspartic
- Conditions: Damp slab (3.8 lbs moisture), south-facing garage
- System: Polyaspartic, clear coat, MVB primer
- Prep: Shot blast + MVB (fair condition)
- Total: $5,200 ($13/sq ft incl. MVB)
- Timeline: 1.5 days
Project C: Commercial Bay, Surrey (1,000 sq ft) — Polyaspartic
- Conditions: Forklift traffic, existing failed epoxy
- System: Polyaspartic, heavy-duty, non-slip aggregate
- Prep: Shot blast (poor condition)
- Total: $13,500 ($13.50/sq ft)
- Timeline: 3 days (phased for operations)
FAQ
Can I put polyaspartic over old epoxy?
Only if the old epoxy is 100% bonded. We grind it to a mechanical profile first. If it’s peeling, we remove it completely. Polyaspartic over bad epoxy = double failure.
Is polyaspartic slippery?
It can be. We add anti-slip aggregate (aluminum oxide or polymer grit) to the topcoat. Same cost as epoxy anti-slip (~$0.25–0.50/sq ft). Recommended for all garage floors.
What about “1-day epoxy” kits from big box stores?
Those are water-based or low-solids epoxy — not the same as pro 100% solids or polyaspartic. They peel within 2 years. We fix them constantly.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Many clients finance over 6–12 months. The polyaspartic premium (~$1,500–2,500) becomes ~$130–200/month. Ask during your free estimate.
Get Your Exact Recommendation
Every slab is different. We offer free on-site assessments across Greater Vancouver:
- Moisture test included (calcium chloride + RH probe)
- Concrete profile measured (CSP 1–5)
- Sun exposure assessed
- Written quote: epoxy vs polyaspartic side-by-side
- 15-year warranty on both systems
Call (778) 807-7627 or book online — we serve Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Richmond, Delta, Vancouver, North/West Van, Langley, and everywhere in between.
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