When it comes to most things in life you are looking for long lasting, durable solutions. When it comes to concrete sealers and concrete coatings you are looking for the same. Most sealers on the market need to be reapplied frequently. Acrylic sealers are known for this, needing to be reapplied on an almost yearly basis. Coatings like epoxies and urethanes tend to last longer up to an average of ten years. There is more of an investment put out up front but with the chemical resistance and abrasion resistance properties gained with an epoxy/urethane system it is well worth the expenditure.
After perusing the internet, I am sure you have seen some companies offering lifetime warranties on their products. The products they are most likely warrantying are penetrating concrete densifiers. The reason they can offer these types of warranties is because silicate densifiers penetrate into the concrete causing a chemical reaction to occur below the surface of the concrete. Concrete is permanently strengthened and hardened. However, if a company is offering a lifetime warranty on a waterproofing sealer I would be skeptical. Silane/Siloxane sealers typically last 5 years before needing to be reapplied. As soon as the water beading effect starts to fade you know it is time to apply another coat.
Our Take: All in all concrete sealers are durable solutions to seal, densify, harden, waterproof and coat concrete. Some sealers last longer than others and some companies offer excellent warranties to back their products so you cannot lose even if they don’t perform as advertised.
When getting ready to purchase a concrete sealer there are many factors to consider. Application, longevity, quality, strength, durability and last but not least price. Concrete sealers are sold at a variety of price points but there are a few factors to consider before buying the cheapest priced sealer out there.
Active ingredients are important: is the sealer latex based or acrylic based? If so these sealers are usually cheaper but are not always the best products to use on concrete. Is the sealer a silane/siloxane? If so it is probably more expensive but will be the most effective on concrete blocks and cinderblocks. Silicates tend to be similarly manufactured in either sodium, lithium and potassium form. When it comes to choosing a silicate densifier look for one that will give you the most bang for your buck.
You also have to be aware if the sealer is concentrated or not. You may think you are not paying a lot for a sealer but in fact, it could be heavily diluted with water. We prefer concentrated sealers. Not only are you getting the sealer in its natural manufactured state, but you are not paying to ship water.
Our Take: Concentrated sealer brands we like are Supreme Crete and Ghostshield.
Every house has a kitchen and every kitchen usually has countertops. Granite and Formica are commonly used countertop compositions. Concrete countertops on the other hand are newer, making a rise being cost effective and aesthetically pleasing. Since concrete is so porous and since concrete countertops need to be protected from water, and household acidic substances, sealing them should be a priority.
The best type of countertop sealer is a topical yet penetrating solution. You want to protect the full thickness of the counter and especially the top of the counter from wear and use. You want to make sure you use a sealer that is specifically designed for use on countertops. I would try to stay away from a company who is claiming their floor or wall sealer will be effective on countertops. Look for a manufacturer who specialized in concrete countertop sealers.
Epoxies and urethanes can be used on a countertop in conjunction with metallic sand or decorative paint chips, yet we have found this process to be time consuming. However if this is the type of finish you are looking for epoxy and urethanes especially designed for countertops are the way to go.
If you are looking for a natural finish, the penetrating topical solution will be your best bet. Used in conjunction with a concrete wax, applied regularly, a shine rivaling granite countertops is achieved.
Our Take: For a natural finish Countertop Sealer 880 is one of the most advanced solutions while enCounter offers excellent epoxy/urethane countertop sealers.
With a multitude of concrete sealing options available on the market it can be extremely difficult choosing not only the correct product for your application but the correct brand of product for your application. There are hundreds of companies claiming to all sell the best products with guaranteed warranties and added this and added that. That is why being an informed consumer and reading independent review sites is the best way to make an informed decision.
Sealers for concrete is not a new concept or theory. Since the early 1900’s concrete sealers have been used to seal and prevent common concrete mild and mildew problems. There are companies who have been in business since then and are still selling the same formulations. Let me ask you something, do you really want to use a product that has not been updated to keep up with the times?
Quality and attention to detail is an extremely important yet overlooked factor when it comes to choosing a concrete sealer. With today’s ‘industrial grade’ concrete sealers being sold over the internet a website is an important, yet overlooked indication of quality. A companies logo, branding, website and labeling can tell a lot about a company. If it is something that looks like it was just thrown together, it probably was. If a company is successful and goes the extra mile and spends time on their website and their branding, just imagine the quality and the attention to detail that goes into their sealer formulations. Now this may not always be the case, there can be some fantastic products with a lack of creative marketing. However, as a general rule if you are successful and have had continued success you are going to want to create the easiest, friendliest materials and site experience for the end user to showcase and share your products with the world.
BEHR advertises their Premium Protector and Waterproofer product as a silicone waterproofer to penetrate and keep water out while shielding against corrosion and salt damage. The Behr premium interior and exterior waterproofer claims to protect concrete for 10 years. It uses water based silicone technology designed to penetrate surfaces up to 1/2 inch. The waterproofer creates a barrier inside the surface that keeps water out but lets water vapors escape reducing corrosion, spalling, efflorescence and freeze-thaw damage. The protector and waterproofer can be used on horizontal and vertical uncoated concrete and masonry surfaces such as concrete block, pavers, stucco, brick, unglazed tiles, exposed aggregate, concrete, sandstone and slate. Before you apply Behr premium protector and waterproofer it is essential you have a properly cleaned surface. Apply until saturated by brush roller or garden sprayer to a dry surface.
The Siloxa-Tek 8500 manufactured by Kretetek Industries is an excellent example of a concrete sealer. The Siloxa-Tek solution is a special one that promises waterproofing protection. While many sealers offer this level of protection, which is such a huge benefit for people looking to protect their concrete, the Siloxa-Tek is of a different chemical make-up; it is, therefore, much better suited to locking out water.
The Siloxa-Tek is a silane/siloxane solution, which both penetrates within the concrete as well as giving it a level of surface protection. Because of this, water is locked out in two steps: from within and from without. The water will actually bead on the surface of concrete treated properly with the Siloxa-Tek 8500, so you can see the sealer in action. The sealer is water-based and VOC free, offering such benefits as preventing efflorescence and resisting stains, as would be expected of any high-quality sealer.
The Siloxa-Tek 8500, a DOT approved, water repellent impregnating sealer changes the surface tension of mineral substrates to produce a water repellent surface to keep water and aggressive water-soluble salts, such as chlorides and sulfates, out. Also the 8500 provides excellent resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, spalling, cracking and pitting. While the Siloxa-Tek 8500 is not suitable for every single concrete sealing project (such as for decorative concrete on a pool deck, for instance), it is one of the best choices for many of them especially driveways, sidewalks, roads and bridges. Readily available at HomeDepot.com this sealer is an excellent choice for most projects.
