What makes a decorative concrete sealer standout amongst a crowded industry and multitude of products? Decorative concrete sealers for the sake of this article are acrylic top coats that will protect, enhance and beautify concrete. Acrylic concrete sealers have been the decorative choice for many years and can leave anywhere from a glossy finish to a satin shine finish. They come in solvent based varieties that are applied by nap roller or they come in water based versions that are applied by sprayer.

Decorative concrete sealers are ideal for patio pavers, pool decks, stamped concrete and driveways. Solvent based varieties usually leave a glossy finish which can cause concrete to become slippery when wet. Certain brands sell a non-slip additive that can be added to their sealers if a high gloss finish is desired with less risk of slippage. One of the most popular decorative sealers is a water based acrylic. They comply with VOC regulations so they can be used in all 50 states. They do not leave a slippery finish, they enhance the concrete while repelling water and they protect from the suns harmful UV rays.

Our Take: Choose a water based acrylic over a solvent based acrylic. Reputable acrylics we have found are Everclear VOX, Cryli-Tek 5500 and SC-42 WB