With the constant exposure to the elements, from rain, snow, salt and sun, driveways are continuously exposed and susceptible to damage. When looking for a concrete driveway sealer it is best to keep in mind where you live will effect the sealer you want to apply. If you live in the north, with snow and salt degradation major issues you want to look for a silane/siloxane blend sealer. Extremely durable solutions frequently used on municipality jobs, silane/siloxanes will help to prevent freeze-thaw damage and salt degradation. The higher percentage of solids of silane/siloxane the better the protection and the heftier the price. Make sure when purchasing a silane/siloxane you inquire about the percentage of solids and do not even bother with a less than 20% solids silane/siloxane.
If you are fortunate enough to live in a warmer climate where snow and salt degradation are not threats to your driveway and if your driveway is comprised of pavers or brick your best bet would be to use a high quality acrylic sealer. If you are looking for a decorative high gloss finish look for a solvent based variation and if you are looking for a matte finish look for a water based sealer. Make sure the acrylic is hot tire pickup resistant, non-yellowing and UV stable.
Our Take: Concrete Driveway sealers we like are Okon S-20 and Siloxa-Tek 8500 they are long lasting with a high percentage of solids.
Wet look sealers are usually solvent based acrylics that leave the surface with a high gloss, decorative finish. A lot of times they can also be used as a cure and seal or as a stand alone decorative product. It is important the sealer will not yellow and is still breathable to prevent moisture and delamination.
Most Important Features When Purchasing a Wet Look Sealer:
- Breathable formula that is non-yellowing and UV stable, VOC friendly in most states
- Protection from rain, sun, salt while adding a wet look and enhancing the look of colored concrete
- Non-scratch, non-scuff, long lasting with no risk of delamination
Most Popular Wet Look Sealer Brand Reviews:
Eagle Gloss Coat: Even though it is solvent based it provided a nice wet look finish to decorative concrete and pavers. We like that it can also be used on new concrete instead of waiting the usual 28 days for concrete to cure. Unfortunately 1 gallon only covers 100 square feet so multiple gallons are necessary to seal any substantial substrate.
Cryli-Tek 5505: We like that this sealer is solvent based and industrial grade holding up to weathering and beading water. Lasted longer than every other acrylic we tested on this list and provided a beautiful wet look enhancing decorative concrete. Did not delaminate or yellow and our concrete looked nice.
Decra-Seal: Fast drying with a high gloss finish but again extremely high VOC limit of almost 700 g/L!
Quikrete Acrylic: Can be used as a cure and seal to help retain water and leaves a finish that is not excessively glossy. Meets ASTM C 309 and covers about 200 sq. ft. per gallon.
Basements: Look for an invisible waterproofing silicate/siliconate blend that will densify and waterproof. If your basement is built of cinderblocks or concrete blocks look for a silane/siloxane blend. Since silane/siloxanes have a larger molecular size they are able to mask and bridge the especially porous blocks from potentially damaging water.
Driveways: Look for a penetrating silane/siloxane sealer that will protect driveways from salt degradation, mold, mildew and unsightly efflorescence. One of the best effects of a silane/siloxane sealer is the ability to see it working right before your eyes with its water beading effect. Look for a silane/siloxane of 20-40% solids.
Patios: Depending on the desired finish of either a high gloss shine or a matte finish choose either a solvent based acrylic or water based acrylic. Be careful when choosing a solvent based sealer if it meets VOC regulations in your state. Water based acrylics, if industrial grade formulations, are excellent decorative concrete enhancers.
Garages: If you are looking for chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and resistance from oil, gas, acids and other chemicals use an industrial coating, either an epoxy, urethane, polyaspartic or a conjunction of an epoxy and urethane. These coatings are also resistant to hot tire pick up and heavy equipment and machinery.
Epoxies: Provides excellent resistance to chemicals and can be used in conjunction with paint chips or metallic sand to provide a decorative and durable finish. For added protection use a urethane topcoat for a higher build floor. Make sure to have a rough surface porosity before applying an epoxy to help with hot tire pickup resistance.
Urethanes: Provides excellent chemical resistance for protection from oils and fluids. Look for an aliphatic urethane that will withstand more chemicals and last for a longer period of time. Make sure to have a rough surface porosity before applying a urethane to help with hot tire pickup resistance.
Polyaspartics: Fast drying urethanes that are all the rage because they will be dry within a few hours compared to the dry time of a traditional urethane which can take up to a week to cure. The only down side is the extremely short pot life that needs to be applied in less than a half hour. This can be problematic on large square footage garages. Make sure to have a rough surface porosity before applying a polyaspartic to help with hot tire pickup resistance.
Penetrating Sealers: The best options for garage floors if you are looking for a natural finish that will not cost a lot of money but will give an extreme amount of protection. Penetrating, water repellent sealers can create an olephobic barrier resistant to oils, fluids and water. We like the Siloxa-Tek 8505 available at HomeDepot.com. You will never have to worry about this industrial grade sealer peeling, flaking, bubbling or delaminating.
Acrylics
Water Based: Excellent decorative sealers that leave a beautiful subtle matte finish. If it is a high quality water based acrylic it will bead and repel water. Will stand up to sun, salt, and wind driven rain.
Solvent Based: Excellent decorative sealers that leave a high gloss shine. Make sure the VOC limit will meet requirements in your state, especially California (under 100 g/L). Will repel water but will make the surface slippery if silica sand or a non-slip is not added to the sealer.
Coatings
Epoxies: Excellent coatings with good abrasion resistance and protection from dusting. Can be used to leave a decorative floor finish with metallic sand or paint chips. Be wary of the long cure time of an epoxy.
Urethanes: Excellent coatings with excellent chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and protection from oils, acids and stains. If used in conjunction with an epoxy longevity will double. Be wary of the long cure time.
Polyaspartics: Excellent coatings with excellent chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and protection from oils, acids and stains. If used in conjunction with an epoxy longevity will double. Excellent choices for floors that need a fast drying finish. Will cure within a 24 hour time period; however, they do have a very short pot life.
Countertop Sealers
Acrylics: Excellent if choosing a penetrating acrylic blend. These formulas will protect from heat, oils, acids, stains and abrasions. If used in conjunction with a countertop wax you will receive double the protection.
Densifiers
Sodium Silicates: Excellent for densifiying and hardening concrete. This is the product to use when polishing a concrete floor. However, they will not waterproof concrete.
Lithium Silicates: Excellent for densifiying and hardening concrete. This is the product to use when polishing a concrete floor. However, they will not waterproof concrete. Newer technology than sodium silicates.
Water Repellents/ Waterproofers
Silane/Siloxanes: Excellent waterproofers for concrete blocks and cinderblocks. Because of the large molecular size the silane/siloxane is able to form a hydrophobic barrier and seal the large pores and cavities.
Concrete Densifiers: Look for silicate sealers, either in a sodium, potassium, lithium or carrier. They are available in both concentrated and ready to use formulations and are excellent for hardening, densifying and polishing concrete. If the formula is concentrated make sure to price out the cost per gallon after dilution. If the formula is ready to use make sure it is at a better price point than a concentrated solution. Keep in mind silicate densifiers do not waterproof concrete. Best for use on warehouse floors.
Concrete Waterproofing: Look for silicate/siliconate blends especially of a lithium carrier. Will densify and waterproof concrete all-in-one through penetration and a chemical reaction with the carbon dioxide in the air. Creates a hydrophobic barrier resistant to water and chemicals. Best for use on basement foundations.
Concrete Water Repellents: Look for silane/siloxane blends of a high percentage of solids, look for at least 20%-40% silane/siloxanes. Best for waterproofing extremely porous concrete blocks and concrete cinderblocks. Also excellent choices for municipality jobs.
Decorative Sealers: Look for acrylic sealers of either a water based or solvent based formulation. Water based sealers will leave a natural to satin sheen while solvent based sealers will leave a high gloss sheen. Make sure if you purchase a solvent based sealer it meets the VOC regulations of your state. Best for concrete patios, pavers and driveways.
Coatings: Encompasses epoxies, urethane and polyaspartics. By using a urethane or polyaspartic in conjunction with an epoxy you are adding longevity and added chemical resistance properties. Polyaspartics provide similar benefits to urethanes but they are faster drying. Make sure you have a concrete slab with a rough surface porosity before applying a coating in order for the coating to adequately adhere to the concrete. Best for garages, warehouses and high chemical exposure areas.