Epoxy, polyurethane or vinyl ester: which resin floor do you need?
The short answerEpoxy floors are the versatile choice for dry processing, warehousing, workshops and decorative areas. Polyurethane cement floors suit wet food and beverage areas with temperature swings and aggressive cleaning; ASP's range is HACCP certified. Vinyl ester systems are for the harshest chemical and high temperature environments, such as bunds, tank farms and chemical plants.
ASP manufactures resin floors in three main chemistries, plus methyl methacrylate (MMA) rapid cure systems. Each has a different strength. Here is how they compare, using figures from ASP's technical data sheets.
Epoxy
ASP's epoxy range runs from a water-based seal (ASP-coatWBE) to solvent-free high build coatings (ASP-coat500), self-smoothing floors (ASP-coat1000, ASP-coatSL) and trowelled quartz screeds (ASP-screedPTS, ASP-screedSTB). Typical results for the solvent-free epoxies are compressive strength above 70 N/mm², flexural strength above 25 N/mm² and a Class 4 fire rating under SANS 10177-4.
Best for: light to heavy duty dry areas, warehouses, workshops, laboratories, clean rooms, hospitals and schools, and decorative floors with flake or coloured quartz.
Watch out for: the screeds have a temperature tolerance of up to 50°C, so they are not the choice for hot wash-down areas.
Polyurethane
ASP's polyurethane cement floors (the ASP-crete range) are HACCP certified and built for food and beverage facilities. They resist corrosive foodstuffs and aggressive cleaning chemicals, and handle thermal shock. ASP-creteRT is resistant to spillages from -25°C to 100°C at 6 mm, and from -40°C to 120°C at 9 mm, where it is fully steam cleanable. ASP-coatPU is a flexible polyurethane coating with crack-bridging properties for workshops and mezzanine floors.
Best for: wet and dry food processing, kitchens, dairies, bakeries, freezers and refrigerated stores.
Watch out for: polyurethane colours can yellow over time in direct sunlight or high intensity light.
Vinyl ester
Vinyl ester systems offer exceptional chemical and heat resistance. ASP-chemVE-H is a low shrink, trowel-applied vinyl ester screed designed for corrosion control and secondary containment, with compressive strength above 120 MPa. ASP-Chem VE Laminate is a glass-reinforced system for floors and walls in aggressive chemical environments.
Best for: acid and alkali bunds, tank farms, chemical stores, loading bays and battery charging bays.
MMA rapid cure
When downtime is a luxury, ASP's methyl methacrylate systems bring a facility back into use quickly. Ask our team about the ASP-rapid range.
Side by side
| Epoxy | Polyurethane | Vinyl ester | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical ASP thickness | 0.14 mm – 4 mm | 1.5 mm – 9 mm | 0.9 mm – 10 mm |
| Typical areas | Dry processing, storage, workshops, foyers | Wet and dry food processing, kitchens, cold rooms | Bunds, tank farms, chemical plants |
| Heat | Screeds tolerate up to 50°C | Spillages to 120°C and steam cleanable at 9 mm (ASP-creteRT, ASP-creteVS) | Spillages to 160°C at 10 mm (ASP-chemVE-H) |
| HACCP certified | No | Yes (ASP-crete range) | Ask our team |
| Decorative options | Flake and coloured quartz | Colour only | Colour only |
| Chemical resistance | A very wide range of chemicals | A wide range of aggressive chemicals and corrosive by-products | Exceptional, including the harshest chemicals |
Frequently asked questions
Is epoxy or polyurethane better for a food factory?
For wet food processing areas with temperature swings and aggressive cleaning, ASP specifies its HACCP certified polyurethane cement floors such as ASP-creteRT and ASP-creteMD. Epoxy systems are used in the dry, non-processing areas of the facility.
What temperatures can a polyurethane floor handle?
ASP-creteRT is resistant to spillages from -25°C to 100°C at 6 mm and from -40°C to 120°C at 9 mm, where it is also fully steam cleanable.
When should I use a vinyl ester floor?
Use vinyl ester where chemical and heat resistance matter most: acid and alkali bunds, tank farms, chemical stores and loading bays, and battery charging bays.
Do polyurethane floors change colour?
Yes. ASP's technical data notes that the colours of its polyurethane range will yellow over time, especially in direct sunlight or under high intensity lighting.