Why a $23 “Insurance Policy” Could Actually Save You Time, Material, and Headaches
If you’ve been around the epoxy world for any length of time, you’ve probably heard it said more than once: PolyKote is so much more expensive than Art Coat.
I hear this all the time, and honestly, it always makes me pause a bit — because when you actually look at the numbers, the gap is nowhere near what people think. I’m all about real-world math… not internet myths.
The Actual Price Difference (Spoiler: It’s Small)
Let’s look at the real numbers:
- PolyKote Pro 2-gallon kit: $269
- Stone Coat Art Coat 2-gallon kit: $245.99
Difference: $23.01
That’s it.
Not $100.
Not $200.
Not the massive gap people love to talk about.
Just $23.01.
One important piece that often gets overlooked in this conversation is that PolyKote isn’t actually an epoxy. It’s a hybrid, non-yellowing resin system. The raw components that go into hybrid resins simply cost more than traditional epoxy components — so yes, it makes sense that the price would be slightly higher. But as you can see from the real numbers, the difference isn’t dramatic. We’re talking about a modest bump in price for a different chemistry designed specifically for improved color stability and performance.
I Look at PolyKote Like an Insurance Policy
Here’s the question I always ask:
Would you pay $23 more to help ensure your countertops stay the color you poured and don’t yellow over time?
For me — and for my clients — that’s a BIG YES.
When you’re installing custom epoxy countertops, you’re not just selling resin. You’re selling:
- Longevity
- Color stability
- Client confidence
- Your professional reputation
Saving $23 on material doesn’t feel so smart if the top starts ambering down the road.
Where the REAL Savings Show Up (This Is the Part People Miss)
Now let’s take this one step further — because this is where things get interesting.
If you know me, you know I’m known for my exotic pour designs. They’re stunning… but with traditional epoxy systems, they come with some baggage:
Typical Exotic Pour with Traditional Epoxy
- Requires ~8 oz per sq ft
- Tape edges
- Multiple buckets
- Wait… and wait… and wait to pull tape
- Babysit drips for hours
- Significant product loss off the surface
- Longer project timeline
Sound familiar?
What Changes with PolyKote
With PolyKote, I can achieve an almost identical exotic look — but far more efficiently.
My PolyKote Workflow
- Only ~4 oz per sq ft
- No taping edges
- Minimal product loss
- Stops dripping in about an hour
- Much less babysitting
- Faster turnaround
Let that sink in for a second…
So while some people get stuck on that $23 difference at the register, I’m looking at the bigger picture. Less material used per square foot. Less waste. Less edge management. Less time hovering over drips. And the added peace of mind regarding long-term color stability.
The Math Starts to Flip
Remember that $23 difference everyone worries about?
When I use half the material, that 2-gallon kit goes a lot further.
When I’m not:
- fighting drips
- pulling tape
- babysitting edges
- waiting forever for set time
…I’m freeing up something incredibly valuable:
My time.
And as any contractor knows — time is money.
My Bottom Line
At Artisan Design Concepts, we don’t just look at sticker price — we look at total project cost and performance.
For me, PolyKote delivers:
✔ Excellent color stability
✔ Exotic looks at lower material usage
✔ Less edge management
✔ Faster drip stop
✔ Better time efficiency
✔ Greater peace of mind
So when people ask if the price difference matters, my honest answer is:
That extra $23 has saved me far more in materials, time, and sanity than it ever cost.
And in this business… that’s what I call working smarter — not harder.
If you’re a contractor or DIYer trying to decide which system makes the most sense for your workflow, I’m always happy to share what’s working in the real world.
