The top concrete sealers for concrete patios are going to be sealers that enhance and beautify the concrete or pavers with out the risk of peeling, flaking or delamination. With patios constant exposure to sun, wind and rain a sealer has to be able to stand up to these afflicting elements. Acrylic sealers are commonly used on exterior decorative surfaces and for good reason. With their finishes ranging from matte, satin and glossy sheens there is a sealer for every aesthetically pleasing application.
Patio sealers are usually available in solvent and water based varieties and it is up to the end use to determine what they are comfortable applying. Although solvent based sealers usually leave a glossier shine they tend to have noxious fumes and high VOCs. Water based acrylics on the other hand have low VOC’s making them easily accessible in all areas of the country.
Our Take: We like water based acrylic sealers because of their low VOCs and subtle matte finish. They will not peel or delaminate like their high gloss counterparts and if it is a high quality acrylic, water will bead from the surface and the sealer will be decorative and repel water. Our favorites include Cryli-Tek 5500 and Decra-Seal WB.
Garages are extremely versatile spaces use for storing cars and working on automobiles. They are susceptible to large amounts of fluids, oils, soils, chemicals and abrasions. In order to protect your garage from all of these disastrous situations an industrial strength coatings should be applied to your garage floor.
Garage floor systems commonly consist of epoxy base coats and urethane top coats. The combination of the two coatings make the finished surface practically indestructible. In order for a garage floor coating to offer indefinite protection you need to make sure you properly prepare the surface. By using a floor grinder to scarify and etch the surface of the concrete you are exfoliating the slab and opening up all of the pores. By creating this rough surface porosity you are giving the coatings a surface to properly adhere to.
After the surface has been prepared you are then ready to apply the first part, the epoxy. Look for a cycloaliphatic epoxy that offers excellent chemical resistance properties. The downside to epoxies is their extremely long cure time of up to a week in some cases. After the epoxy is applied and fully cure you can apply a urethane top coat. Look for an aliphatic urethane that will provide excellent resistance to acids, oil, gasoline and other automobile fluids; also look make sure it is hot tire pickup resistant.
Our Take: Try Urethane 645 or Granitex Decorative Color Chip Systems for indestructible garage floor coatings.
Concrete driveways, extremely prominent in southern areas of the country, need to be sealed in order to protect them from sun, rain, weathering and other exterior elements. Driveways and sidewalks are susceptible to wear on a daily basis from foot traffic and automobile traffic. In order to protect your driveway you need to use an industrial grade concrete driveway sealer.
With the multitude of sealers on the market how do you choose the best sealer for a driveway? When looking for a concrete driveway sealer look for a silane/siloxane blended sealer. By using a silane/siloxane you get the benefits of a penetrating and a topical sealer all-in-one. Other benefits of using a silane/siloxane on a driveway include the prevention of mold, mildew, efflorescence, sun, wind driven rain, salt degradation and hydrostatic pressure. You will literally be able to see the sealer working before your eyes; silane/siloxanes are known for their beading of water.
Silane/Siloxanes are extremely popular sealers sold from everywhere from local hardware stores, big box retail chains and online. Make sure to look for a silane/siloxane that will protect from salt, chlorides, freeze-thaw damage and water.
Our Take: Top driveway sealers are Siloxa-Tek 8500 and Okon S-40.
Warehouse Sealers: The best sealers for warehouses are concrete densifiers or industrial strength coatings. Concrete densifiers are usually sodium silicate sealers or lithium silicate sealers that will harden and dustproof concrete. They are especially used when polishing a concrete warehouse. Industrial strength coatings like urethanes and polyaspartics are used when chemical or abrasion resistance is needed. The concrete floor must be grinded before applying one of these coatings in order to maximize adhesion.
Basement Waterproofers: Silicate/Siliconate blends are necessary for waterproofing concrete basements. With the densifying characterisitcs of the silicate and the hydrophobic waterproofing barrier of the siliconate water does not stand a chance. However if the basement is composed of concrete blocks or cinderblocks a silane/siloxane sealer must be used. Look for one that is at least 20%-40% solids. Do not use a straight silicate sealer for waterproofing since it is a densifier not a waterproofer.
Driveway Sealers: Silane/Siloxanes, or industrial water based acrylics are fantastic options that will protect a driveway from mold, mildew, efflorescence and salt degradation.
Patio Sealers: Water based or solvent based acrylic sealers that will add a matte finish or high gloss shine depending on the desired finish. If the area is prone to slipperiness use a water based sealer. Acrylics are excellent choices for brick pavers as well.
Garage Coatings: Depending if a natural concrete finish is desired or a decorative coating is desired use either a silicate/siliconate sealer or an epoxy/urethane system. The silicate/siliconate will help to prevent the passage of vehicle fluids while the epoxy/urethane system will be extremely chemically and abrasion resistant. Also with an epoxy/urethane system, paint chips or decorative sand can be added for an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Basement Sealers: For concrete blocks or cinderblock walls use a silane/siloxane sealer. For poured foundations or concrete slabs use a silicate/siliconate sealer to densify and waterproof.
Driveway Sealers: Use a silane/siloxane sealer if you live in a colder climate with a lot of snow and ice. For a warmer climate you can use a water based acrylic formulation.
Patio Sealers: Use a decorative acrylic sealer either solvent based or water based. Solvent based sealers will not be VOC compliant in all 50 states but they will leave a high gloss shine. Water based sealers leave a matte finish but have no harsh, solvent odors.
Warehouse Sealers: If the concrete will be polished use a concrete densifier; either a sodium silicate or a lithium silicate. If you are looking for chemical or abrasion resistance use an aliphatic urethane.
Garage Sealers/Shop Floors: If you are looking for a natural garage floor use a siliate/siliconate blend. If you are looking for a decorative finish or for added chemical/abrasion resistance use an epoxy coating followed by an aliphatic urethane topcoat.
Countertop Sealers: Use a concentrated penetrating acrylic sealer that you work into the concrete. Use in conjunction with a concrete wax for added protection and shine.
Our Take: Our go to manufacturers of concrete sealers include Kretetek, Prosoco, Scofield and ChemMasters.
Silicates: Penetrating sealers, usually densifiers, that chemically react with the concrete forming calcium silicate hydrate to fill in all voids, pores and tracts. Sodium , lithium and potassium are the most popular carriers of silicate. Best sealers for densifying, dust-proofing and hardening concrete. Indefinite protection.
SIlicate/Siliconates: Blended sealers that encompass all of the densifying benefits of a silicate with the waterproofing characteristics of a siliconate sealer. The siliconate molecules react at the surface with the carbon dioxide in the air forming a hydrophobic barrier. Sodium, lithium and potassium are the most common carriers of silicate/siliconates. Best sealers for densifying, dust-proofing, hardening and waterproofing concrete. Indefinite protection.
Silane/Siloxanes: Blended sealers that also form a hydrophobic barrier on the surface of the concrete that offer excellent water repellency. A water beading effect is a result of this type of sealer. Best sealers for sealing and protecting concrete blocks, cinderblocks, stucco and very porous concrete. 10 years of protection before needing another application
Acrylics: Topical sealers usually water based or solvent based (low sheen and high gloss respectively) that seal concrete and repel water. Most commonly used as decorative sealers on concrete, stone, brick and masonry. Acrylics need to be reapplied quite frequently. 1-5 years of protection before needing another application.
Epoxies/Urethanes/Polyaspartics: Durable coatings that are usually applied in conjunction as part of an epoxy system. Usually consisting of a base coat, build coat and top coat with or with out decorative sand or paint chips. Excellent chemical resistance, UV and abrasion resistance properties. The toughest grade of sealers lasting about 10 years before needing another application.