Prevent deicing salt, chloride and freeze-thaw damage with our most recommended sealer. This water repellent concrete sealer resists rain, moisture, mold and mildew — preventing cracking. This proprietary silane/siloxane blend offers longer service life and better performance in a safe, ready to use, water-based formula.
Protect, restore, and extend the life of your home with our water-based, silane/siloxane Concrete Sealer water repellent. Safe for indoor and outdoor use, it absorbs deep into the surface inhibiting moisture damage
A professional grade, high-solids, breathable, solvent based, high gloss, wet-look, acrylic sealer that darkens and enhances any concrete, brick, paver and natural stone surface bringing out the rich, vibrant natural colors.
Clear, Waterproofing Protection for All Exterior, Porous Masonry & Concrete Surfaces Including Concrete, Brick, Natural Stone, Sandstone, Limestone, Cultured Stone (Stone Veneer/Manufactured Stone), Granite, and More
This water based, film forming sealer provides long lasting weather protection and all while enhancing the life and beauty of your surface.
This easy-to-use spray-on formula provides long-lasting protection for virtually any concrete/masonry surface including: concrete, brick, masonry, natural stone, artificial stone, pavers, stucco, split-face block, etc.
Quikrete 1 Qt. Concrete Crack Seal is used for repairing cracks in concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks. The crack seal can be applied directly from the bottle and is gray in color to blend with the natural color of concrete. It is perfect for horizontal concrete cracks up to 1/2 in. width.
Prevent deicing salt, chloride and freeze-thaw damage with the our most recommended sealer. This water repellent concrete sealer resists rain, moisture, mold and mildew — preventing cracking. This proprietary silane/siloxane blend offers longer service life and better performance in a safe, water-based formula. Ultra Concentrate will make 5 gallons after mixed with water.
For use inside or out on a variety of surfaces including sanded grout, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glazed tile, stucco, travertine, marble, slate, granite, terrazzo and more to protect against water, stains and slippage
A revolutionary waterproofing gel that will not sag, run or drip. Gives the deepest penetration possible and lasts up to 25 years on vertical concrete, brick and masonry surfaces. An excellent choice for waterproofing brick chimneys and walls.
Historically when it came to staining concrete, there were acid stains and “other stains”. Reactive acid stains had been used on concrete for decades and really took over the market when it came to coloring concrete. With new chemistry and technology emerging and as the concrete stain industry grew, new products have been formulated and developed to compete with acid stains. These new products are water-based instead of acid-based and come in an assortment of colors. They are UV stable which means they can be used indoors and outdoors. Water-based stains are made up of water, water-based resins and paint-grade resins to allow for excellent penetration into concrete.
Differences between acid stains, water-based stains and solid color stains
Acid Stains: Most acid stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts. They work by chemically reacting with calcium hydroxide after penetrating the surface. The acid in the stain lightly etches the surface, allowing the metallic salts to penetrate more easily. Once the stain reacts, it becomes a permanent part of the concrete and won’t fade, chip off, or peel away. Acid stains leave a mottled surface appearance. They are available in select earth tone colors but can be mixed for additional color options.
Water-Based Stains: A new-generation of stain which blend pigments and acrylic polymers to penetrate concrete producing a translucent color. The main difference between water-based stains and acid stains is that no chemical reaction occurs with water-based stains, so the color is more consistent. Water based stains are available in a large selection of colors in comparison to traditional earth tone colors of acid stains. One of the biggest draws to using a water-based stain in replacement of an acid stain is safety. Water-based stains are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and safer to apply because they are free of solvents and acids. Water-based stains are much easier to work with, and do not need to be neutralized after application. Water-based stains can save time and labor while achieving the same look and appearance as an acid stain.
Solid Color Stains: Solid color concrete stains are similar in viscosity and composition to paint; however, they have been optimized and formulated to be more durable to be able to withstand heavy traffic, abrasions and weathering such as freeze-thaw cycling, deicing salt exposure and UV radiation. Although solid color concrete stains are not as durable as epoxy coatings and urethane coatings, they require less surface preparation, maintenance and can be used on exterior concrete. Some of the major draws to solid color concrete stains is that they are easy to use, water-based with low odor and they can hide old staining or concrete imperfections.
Water-based stains and acid stains are intended to enhance rather than disguise the surface. They will not hide cracks, blemishes, or other flaws. Nor will they completely mask an underlying color or conceal the texture of the surface. A solid color stain on the other hand can hide imperfections such as staining, color and texture.
Why should you choose a solid color concrete stain:
- If you are looking to completely change the color or look of existing concrete or cover and fix old, ugly concrete.
- To hide existing imperfections and stains, such as rust and oil, to create an even appearance.
- Add definition and depth to stamped concrete or to renew, enhance textures, or fix badly installed stamped concrete.
- To waterproof concrete while also protecting concrete from deicing salts and freeze-thaw damage.
How to apply a solid color concrete stain:
- Make sure the concrete is clean, dry and free of all previous stains or sealers. If the concrete was previously sealed make sure you strip, etch or grind off the previous sealer.
- If the concrete is porous or broom finished it is best to use a primer or a bonding agent to increase adhesion of the solid color concrete stain to the surface.
- Apply within the application temperature and weather parameters.
- If multiple gallons are being used, make sure to batch (mix) all units together to ensure uniform color. This can be done in a 5-gallon pail.
- Apply a coat of solid color concrete stain using a ¼”- 3/8” nap roller. Back roll and cross-hatch for complete and even coverage. Since concrete varies in texture and porosity, two coats may be required for a uniform color appearance.
- Optionally use an enhancer to highlight textures of stamped concrete.
- Use a topcoat sealer for added longevity and UV protection.
Popular Solid Color Concrete Stain Products:
One of the most popular solid color stains on the market is Behr’s Solid Color Concrete Stain. Behr claims their product is, “A durable solid color stain designed to help protect and enhance both exterior and interior, vertical and horizontal concrete surfaces. This Siliconized 100% Acrylic formula is designed to provide a long-lasting durable finish.”
One of the many pros to Behr Solid Color Concrete Stain is its availability. Behr is a popular brand sold exclusively through The Home Depot. If you want to stain your concrete today you can literally walk into any Home Depot store, pick a gallon of Behr off the shelf and begin your project. But just because a product is readily available does not mean it is the best product for you to use. According to many customer reviews the product seems less durable than claimed, with a major complaint being how easily the product scratches and scuffs. Behr does offer a 1-year warranty to furnish an equivalent amount of new product or a refund of the original purchase. Although they do not disclose longevity of their product, it seems the product is intended to last less than one year.
Pro-Fusion 1505 Solid Color Concrete Stain Review
We recently came across a newer solid color concrete stain system: the Pro-Fusion 1505 – part of the Ghostshield brand. Ghostshield claims their product is, “A pigmented, water-based, non-yellowing stain system designed for unsealed concrete, masonry and pavers. Infused with nano-sized color particles, the 1505 concrete stain system will provide a much stronger bond than typical polymer stains. It penetrates deeper and self-crosslinks to promote outstanding adhesion.”
Since we always test out new products when they become available, we decided to try out the Pro-Fusion 1505. The Pro-Fusion 1505 solid color concrete stain is available in six color options. The Pro-Fusion 1505 enhancer designed for stamped concrete is available in three color options. After going through the entire recommended application process this is what we found.
The Pro-Fusion 1505 is considered a solid color concrete stain system. What this means is everything you need to successfully stain your concrete and have it last for many years is included in the system. However, you do not need to purchase all the items in the system. We purchased the Pro-Fusion 1505 primer, Pro-Fusion 1505 solid color stain in Tan, and the Cryli-Tek 5500 as the topcoat sealer. A topcoat sealer is required after applying the Pro-Fusion 1505. We did not purchase the enhancer as it is only recommended for stamped concrete. We were also informed that you can use the Pro-Fusion 1505 primer as the topcoat sealer, but we decided to go all out for the sake of this review.
Before the concrete stains arrived, we prepped a broom finished concrete patio. It had been previously stained with the Behr Solid Color Concrete Stain and then sealed with a solvent-based acrylic sealer. We made sure to strip it, pressure wash it and let it completely dry out. There were some old rust stains that were not removed and had always bled through the previous stain, so we were interested in seeing if the Pro-Fusion 1505 concrete stain was able to conceal them.
Once the products arrived, we chose a sunny day with the temperature around 70 degrees with low humidity to begin priming. We decided to use the primer because the broom finished concrete patio was older and very porous. The primer is not necessary for every application. If we were applying this system to stamped concrete, we would not have used the primer and would have just gone right to applying the solid color stain. We applied the primer with an 18” – 3/8” nap paint roller. We made sure we rolled in the same direction and let it dry for 24 hours before applying the solid color stain. We applied the stain as we applied the primer, with an 18” – 3/8” nap paint roller. We rolled one coat onto the concrete and after letting it dry, we applied a second coat. The two coats completely covered the old rust stain – you couldn’t even tell it had ever been there.
The old broom finished concrete patio now looked like a newly painted patio. The tan color left the patio looking like new concrete. The next day we applied the Cryli-Tek 5500 as the topcoat sealer. The Cryli-Tek 5500 is a low gloss, water-based, wet look acrylic sealer so it really gave the stain a nice durable finish.
We applied this system and it has held up great to foot traffic, BBQ grilling and salt water from a saltwater pool. We have not experienced any spalling or cracking from the salt water. If food spills on the patio, it is easily wiped away and grease from the grill hoses off nicely.
All in all, the Pro-Fusion 1505 was very easy to use. It may seem intimidating with all the different system options but for most people the solid color concrete stain and a topcoat sealer is all you will need. We were amazed that the stain was able to hide old rust stains. This is something that the Behr product had been unable to do in the past. Since Ghostshield is known for professional grade products we would recommend the Pro-Fusion 1505 over the Behr Solid Color Stain. After talking with the manufacturer, the Pro-Fusion 1505 had been under development and testing for over five years before it was made available to the public. As with all Ghostshield products the Pro-Fusion 1505 was tested in the field by their certified applicators, installers and contractors. We were given a list of Pro-Fusion 1505 project references to ensure that the product has been used in the field and is long lasting. What makes the Pro-Fusion 1505 unique is the Ghostshield nanotechnology. Infused with nano-sized color particles, the 1505 concrete stain system will provide a much stronger bond than typical polymer stains. It penetrates deeper and self-crosslinks to promote outstanding adhesion. Overall this leads to a longer lifespan.
The Pro-Fusion 1505 is currently available direct through the manufacturer, Amazon or Lowes. Although it is more expensive than the Behr Solid Color Concrete Stain, you do not need to be stripping, staining and resealing every year. It is a worthwhile investment for solid color stain protection.
If you are looking to seal a concrete driveway use one of these concrete driveway sealers:
The best all-around: Siloxa-Tek 8500
Pros: 40% water-based silane/siloxane. Available in a single gallon ready to use or a one gallon concentrate that makes five gallons. Able to protect concrete from water, cracking, deicing salts and freeze-thaw cycles.
Buy Now: Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot, Concrete Sealer Supply
The most economical: Concrete Driveway Sealer
Pros: Very cost effective and will do a good job sealing for a season.
Buy Now: Amazon
Best for stopping oil-based stains and automotive fluids: Siloxa-Tek 8510
Pros: Long lasting, 95% actives concrete driveway sealer that will repel staining from oils and greases.
Buy Now: Concrete Sealer Supply
The contractor’s favorite: Saltguard WB
Pros: Although it only has a 4.2% actives content it is mostly used in the commercial marketplace. Prosoco is a trusted manufacturer and brand.
Buy Now: JonDon
Best high gloss decorative concrete sealer: Diamond Clear
Pros: Can be used on freshly poured concrete and will give a concrete driveway a high gloss wet look finish.
Buy Now: EMI Supply
Types of Concrete Driveway Sealers
When it comes to choosing a type of concrete driveway sealer you can first break them down into three categories:
- Penetrating Concrete Driveway Sealers: These natural finish concrete sealers that do just as their name states; they penetrate into the concrete without leaving a surface film. Penetrating concrete driveway sealers are best used in northern climates and environments since they are able to protect concrete driveways from harsh freeze-thaw cycles and deicing salt damage including spalling, pitting and cracking. Penetrating concrete driveway sealers are usually silane and siloxane based products.
- Decorative Concrete Driveway Sealers: These high-gloss, wet look or satin finish concrete sealers also do just as their name states; they add a decorative finish to any concrete, brick, paver or masonry substrate. Although they look fantastic when first applied, their appearance will fade over time and regular resealing maintenance will need to be maintained. Decorative concrete driveway sealers are usually of a solvent-based or water-based acrylic chemistry.
- Concrete Driveway Coatings: Concrete driveway coatings are decorative and durable at the same time. They are able to withstand harsh winter climates while providing a decorative look. They are also able to withstand staining from leaves, oils, greases and hot tire pick up. The only downside is that they tend to be very expensive based on their multi-functioning ability. Durable concrete driveway coatings are usually urethane based products.
Why We Recommend Silane/Siloxane Based Penetrating Concrete Driveway Sealers
We recommend silane/siloxane based penetrating concrete driveway sealers for most concrete driveways since they provide the most bang for your buck. Silanes and siloxanes are the active ingredients in the formulations. What makes some silanes and siloxanes better than others is the actives concentration. For example a 5% silane/siloxane solution is going to be 5% active silane/siloxane ingredients and 95% water or solvent. Whereas a 40% silane/siloxane is going to be 40% active silane/siloxane ingredients and 60% water or solvent. Water or solvent, commonly referred to as the carrier is used to drive the active ingredients into the concrete. Once the water or solvent evaporates what remains is the active silane/siloxane ingredients. Since solvents can take the active ingredients deeper into the concrete than water, solvent-based concrete sealers typically perform better. However, depending on the type of solvent used they can also have more of an odor (higher VOC’s) and contain more harmful ingredients. The Department of Transportation mandates that all of the products used on their approved products list (and subsequently the roadways) be a minimum of 40% actives. Although this may seem like overkill when it comes to treating your residential driveway, driveways are actually most at risk. Even if you do not use deicing salts on your driveway, your vehicle will track them in from the roadways. The deicing salts will then melt off your vehicle and onto the driveway where they will wreak havoc on the concrete if left untreated. Because of the chemistry behind silanes and siloxanes they are the most effective treatment to protect concrete from spalling, pitting and cracking.
While we prefer silanes and siloxanes that are 40% actives concentration or above, we also understand that these products tend to be more expensive. When you are comparing concrete driveway sealers make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Some of the products on the list above have more than a 95% actives concentration; whereas some of the other products have below a 5% actives concentration. Actives concentrations also directly correlate with longevity. The higher the actives concentration the longer the product will last.
What is the difference between silanes and siloxanes?
- Silanes: Silanes are the smaller molecule of the two while also being alkali-resistant and highly volatile (a high concentration of material is required). In layman’s terms this allows them to migrate deep into the substrate but a higher actives concentration is most effective.
- Siloxanes: Similar to a silane molecule yet a little larger, siloxanes cannot penetrate as deep as silanes due to their complexity and shape. They are less volatile (so you can use a lower concentration) and they are also alkali resistant. Since they do not penetrate as deep as silanes they are typically used in blended formulations or on their on on more porous mineral substrates such as brick and stone.
How to Apply a Concrete Driveway Sealer
Application of concrete driveway sealers will depend on what type of concrete sealer you decide to use.
- Penetrating concrete driveway sealers: Before sealing you want to make sure the concrete is dry, clean and free of any previous sealers or curing compounds. Penetrating concrete driveway sealers are usually universally applied with a pump sprayer, paint roller or brush. Since they are natural finish, non-film forming products it is hard to make a mistake during application. You just want to make sure that you are not over-applying them. A lot of times two coats are recommended with the coats being applied wet-on-wet. What this means is that you will apply a second coat immediately after the first coat. This help to ensure that you are getting enough concrete sealer material onto the substrate.
- Decorative concrete driveway sealers: Before sealing you want to make sure the concrete is dry and clean. If a previous decorative concrete driveway sealer was used you want to make sure when it comes time to reseal the new product you are using is of the same chemistry. What this means is if a solvent-based acrylic was previously used you want to reseal using a solvent-based acrylic sealer. This will prevent you from having to strip off the previous sealer. If you are thinking of switching the type of concrete driveway sealer from a decorative concrete driveway sealer to a penetrating concrete sealer you want to make sure the previous concrete sealer has completely worn away or you will need to remove it. In order to apply a decorative concrete driveway sealer a high quality 3/8″ nap paint roller is usually best practice. One coat is usually recommended.
- Concrete driveway coatings: Like decorative concrete driveway sealers you want to make sure the concrete is dry, clean and free of previous sealers or coatings. And if a previous concrete driveway sealer was used you want to make sure the new coating you are using is compatible and of a similar chemistry. In order to apply a concrete driveway coating, a high quality, 3/8″ nap paint roller is also best practice. One or two coats are recommended depending on the manufacturer.
What to look for when buying a concrete driveway sealer
When it comes to choosing a concrete driveway sealer it is best to first take into account your location. Do you live in a warmer climate or a colder climate. If you live in a colder climate a penetrating concrete driveway sealer is going to be your best option. You can use a decorative concrete driveway sealer but just keep in mind it will need to be reapplied more often since road salts and chlorides will eat away at the concrete sealer after a season. If you live in a warmer climate you can then narrow down the appropriate sealer based on the type of finish (sheen) you prefer – flat, satin, high gloss or wet look. Once you have determined your location you can then take into account longevity. Are you willing to make a larger up front investment and not have to seal as frequently, or would you rather buy an inexpensive product and reseal every season. And then you can take the finish (sheen) into consideration. Do you really like how your stamped concrete driveway looks when it is wet? If you live in a warmer climate a decorative concrete driveway sealer will do the job; whereas if you live in a colder climate a durable concrete coating will be able to stand up to the salt exposure for more than a season. There are a lot of factors to consider and there is no one size fits all concrete driveway sealer.
In order to best assist you we have come up with the following general recommendations for concrete driveway sealers:
- Northern climate, natural finish: Penetrating silane/siloxane based concrete sealer
- Northern climate, decorative finish: Durable urethane based concrete coating
- Southern climate, natural finish: Penetrating silane/siloxane based concrete sealer
- Southern climate, decorative finish: Decorative acrylic based concrete driveway sealer
Where to buy a concrete driveway sealer
When it comes to purchasing a concrete driveway sealer big box retailers such as Lowes and Home Depot do not usually carry concrete sealer products on store shelves. They do however have a large assortment in their online catalog. These special order products can be shipped directly to your home or to your local store. If you are under a time constraint you can shop on Amazon since there is a wide assortment of concrete driveway sealers that can be shipped via Prime. Smaller online retailers may have a longer shipping time; however, their pricing is usually most competitive. Before shopping a local hardware store, do some research as to what brands they are carrying since a lot of times they have been selling the same concrete sealer products for years while a newer technology is available.
Specialty concrete driveway sealers
If you are looking for features in addition to deicing salt protection there are products available that will also offer stain protection. These silane/siloxane based products use fluoro-chemistry to repel oils and automotive fluids. This is extremely beneficial when it comes to choosing a concrete driveway sealer since vehicles can leak grease and oil and cause unsightly stains. By using a specialty concrete driveway sealer it will make these stains easier to clean and keep the concrete driveway free of oil and grease stains. Read our review of best oil repellent concrete sealers to learn more.
We review concrete sealers that range in price from $20 a gallon all the way up to $200 a gallon. I mean is it really worth spending $200 on a single gallon of concrete sealer. Absurd, isn’t it? What if you get the gallon on sale for $150. To some people $200 is an offensive amount to spend on a clear concrete sealer, but $150 is still obscene….or is it.
Why are some concrete sealers so expensive? If you aren’t familiar with the concrete sealer industry, you may suffer sticker shock as you first begin pricing products. Especially when it is hard to see visible results. However, you must remember the many advantages concrete sealers offer. With these in mind, the prices may start to seem more reasonable. The benefits make the extra cost well worth the initial investment. Here are the advantages of using a high quality, expensive sealer.
The Five Details That Matter
Performance : The actives percentage in a concrete sealer is related directly to longevity and product performance. Actives can range anywhere from 1% to 100%. The higher the actives the better the product. If you think of it in terms of fruit juice, 100% juice is always going to be the purest and healthiest form. If you are drinking 10% juice the other 90% is going to be water, sugar and fillers. The same goes for sealers. If a product is 7% actives it is going to have a lot of fillers or is going to be extremely watered down. That being said the actives content will vary based on if the product is water-based or solvent-based. Water-based products are typically always under a 40% concentration. This is because if the actives concentration has any higher viscosity (thickness) the formula would be too great and would not be able to penetrate as well. Solvent-based sealers on the other hand do not have these issues. If you were to compare a 40% water-based sealer with a 40% solvent-based sealer the solvent-based product would out perform the water-based version every time. This is because the solvent is able to carry the active ingredients into the concrete better than water can. 100% actives penetrating sealers are by far the best performing and longest lasting type but they are also going to be the most expensive. Because of their price point they are typically used on commercial projects. Actives contents matter when it comes to determining if an expensive brand is worth it. Review the actives concentration in each of the products you are considering to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. A 7% actives concrete sealer may be $30 a gallon whereas a 40% actives concrete sealer may be $60 a gallon. Take into consideration that the $30 gallon may need to be reapplied yearly whereas the $60 gallon wont need to be reapplied for another 3 years.
Longevity: Which brings us to our next point, longevity in regards to reapplication. Since the actives content is directly related to longevity and price you also need to take into consideration the labor cost of application and reapplication. If a sealer is less expensive you are probably going to need to apply it every year or so. You then have to be mindful of the cost and time of reapplication. Applying a product every year can be costly and time consuming versus applying a product every five years.
Quality: Relating directly with actives concentration is quality. What type of chemical composition was used. For example you may be comparing two silane sealers. They may both be 40% actives yet one may be more expensive then another. Is there a reason for this? The short answer is yes. The long answer is the cost could be related to the type of silane used as not all silanes are created equal. Isoctyltriethoxysilanes are going to be better than alkoxysilanes. Now this may sound like gibberish to you but quality ingredients matter and will effect pricing.
Features: There are features and add-ons that can make a concrete sealer more expensive such as coloring, salt protection or oil repellency.
Chemistry: Chemistry directly reacts to price. Acrylic sealers are topical and because they are film forming and constantly exposed to the elements they need to be reapplied yearly. Penetrating sealers are non film forming and because of this can last over five years. When comparing different types of sealers make sure you are comparing acrylics to acrylics, epoxies to epoxies and silanes to silanes.
Just because a concrete sealer is less expensive doesn’t mean that it is the best option. You need to take into consideration actives content, reapplication and quality before determining if an expensive brand is worth it. There are reasons some concrete sealers are more expensive than others and before writing them off take into account what is most important to you. Are you looking to save money initially or down the road. We believe expensive brands are worth it because of their actives, chemistry, features, quality and longevity. There are priced accordingly. You just need to make sure you are comparing them accordingly.
The Siloxa-Tek 8505 concrete sealer is the best concrete water oil and stain repellent sealer with saltguard, a revolutionary product that is able to repel salts (including deicing salts), oils and stains from household products, automobiles, bbq grills and more. Of a silane/siloxane chemistry with an added proprietary component this concrete sealer product is unrivaled when it comes to sealing driveways, warehouses and patios to name a few. This concrete sealer product leaves a completely clear, natural finish so once you apply it, you wont even know it is there except when water, and fluids are spilled on the surface and they bead right up like a newly waxed car.
A lot of manufacturers claim their concrete sealer products will “limit the penetration of stains”; however, this is different and must not be confused with a sealer that is formulated to actually repel stains and oil like the Siloxa-Tek 8505 concrete sealer. The manufacturer would not give away the proprietary ingredient but we tested it in comparison to the products that claim to limit the penetration of stains and there is no comparison. The proprietary ingredient in the Siloxa-Tek 8505 concrete sealer is extremely effective and performs as described on the technical data sheets and the manufacturer is actually able to provide testing data on request.
This product is available in two variations, a water based version for residential applications and small commercial applications or a solvent based version for larger commercial applications. The water based version is available in a ready to use formulation or an ultra concentrated version (both are readily available for purchase through Lowes.com and if you prefer, The Home Depot.com carries the ready to use version) or it is available on Amazon. The ready to use product will cover 125 sq. ft. per container for both applications and the ultra concentrated product will cover 625 sq. ft. per container for both applications. If you are looking for industrial or commercial use of this product, it is also available in a solvent based version is called Siloxa-Tek 8510 concrete sealer and is available through the manufacturer in 1 gallon, 5 gallon bucket or drum quantities.
When it comes to application it could not be easier to apply. A garden variety sprayer, or nap paint roller is recommended. Two coats are highly recommended and upon talking to the manufacturer they essentially require it. The coats are applied wet-on-wet. What wet-on-wet means is that the second coat is applied before the first coat has dried. Because the concrete sealer product is so hydrophobic if you try to apply the second coat after the first coat has dried the first coat will try to repel the second coat. However, if you apply the second coat while the first coat is still wet you are able to get the product to penetrate as deep as possible and ensure the longest lasting performance. A good rule of thumb is to apply a first coat to a 500 square foot section and go back and apply the second coat to the same 500 square foot section and then move on to the next section and apply a first coat, then second coat. (You can walk on the first coat to apply the second coat, since it is a natural finish product it will not leave footprints).
What we love most about this product is that it does not need to be reapplied every year or even every few years but the product has a lifespan of up to 10 years before needing to apply another 2 coats. Protecting your concrete driveway from spalling, pitting, cracking, deicing salts, oil, auto fluids and staining the Siloxa-Tek 8505 is a worthwhile investment.
When it comes to choosing a concrete sealer you are probably overwhelmed by the plethora of options and information available on the internet. Ho do you know which one to choose. Which sites are reliable sources of information. What is the difference between a concrete sealer and a concrete coating. These are the type of questions that can keep someone searching for a concrete sealer up at night. And these are questions we receive on a daily basis. There is no one size fits all concrete sealer since no two substrates are alike. The concrete sealer you would use to seal your basement is not necessarily the same product that you should use on your patio. There are of course exceptions to this rule, but that is why we have come up with a check list to help you narrow down what the best concrete sealer is going to be.
Before we continue, let us define a few key terms that will be important. Application: an application is what you are trying to seal. For example a basement, driveway or patio. Substrate: a substrate is the type of material composition. For example concrete, brick, stone, stucco, slate. Finish: the finish is the level of shine you are looking for out of the product. For example flat, satin, gloss. The finishes are similar to paint finishes. Chemistry: the chemistry is the actual chemical make up of the product. For example, acrylic, epoxy or urethane. Square footage: before you can determine how many gallons of sealer you need, you must calculate the square feet or size of the project. For horizontal applications this can be calculated by measuring the length times width of say a garage or driveway. For vertical application you would follow the same calculations but if you are measuring basement walls you will need to add the square footage of each wall together.
Steps to choosing the best concrete sealer
- Application: narrow down your application and substrate. What are you trying to seal. Is it composed of concrete, brick, stone, slate, stucco? You cannot choose the best concrete sealer if you don’t know what you are sealing. Before continuing your research determine the substrate and the application.
- Location: Where do you live and what type of weathering will the sealer be composed to. Are you looking to seal indoor concrete or outdoor concrete? Identifying your location will help to determine the category of chemistry especially for outdoor applications. For example you do not want to be using a water-based acrylic on a driveway exposed to road salts unless you are okay with re-sealing the concrete every few months.
- Finish: Determine your ideal finish And we say ideal because some times the desired finish is just not practical and will need to be compromised for better longevity and performance. High gloss, wet look sealers look great but they are not going to be a one time clean it and forget it sealer. Determine if you are willing to make a sacrifice or if the final overall appearance is non-negotiable.
- Chemistry: This next category will require a little more research. Determine what the best chemistry will be for your intended application. For example, concrete driveways in northern climates are best sealed with a silane or silane/siloxane based chemistry. Silanes and siloxanes have been proven & tested to reduce road salts and magnesium chloride damage in concrete. On the other hand epoxies are best suited for interior applications since they are not UV stable and have exceptional stain resistance when compared with penetrating sealers.
- Quality/Longevity: Quality and longevity go hand in hand. The better quality, higher actives a product is composed of, the longer it will last. For example a 100% silane will last a lot longer than a 10% actives silane. Think about it like juice. If juice is 100% juice that means there is no added water, sugar or flavorings. Whereas a 10% juice is watered down and has all sorts of fillers and additives. When it comes to penetrating sealers 100% actives is best and will ensure the longest lifespan. But they are also going to be the most expensive. When it comes to penetrating sealers 40% actives tend to be a great alternative since they are what the Department of Transportation specifies on roadways and bridges. Lower quality sealers are often watered down or made with inferior ingredients. The saying you get what you pay for applies to concrete sealers.
- Price: Which brings us to our next point. Just because a sealer is only $30 per gallon does not mean that it is the best investment. The only time buying a $30/gallon bottle of concrete sealer is a good idea is if you are moving and don’t care about it not lasting. It is like buying an expensive jacket. You take into account the price per wear. Even though the upfront expense is costly, you will wear it every day for ten years. It is much more economical than buying a new jacket every year. The same goes for concrete sealer. You can use a $200 sealer to seal your concrete driveway and have it last 10 years, or you can use a $40 concrete sealer that will need to be reapplied yearly. The initial sticker price may be hard to swallow but you will save time and labor in the long run.
General recommendations
You can read our in depth review here where we overview the best concrete sealers in detail.
Siloxa-Tek 8500 is an all around favorite because it can be used on virtually any substrate and will work on all applications. It is a 40% actives silane/siloxane which means it will work to prevent spalling and road salt damage. It is also an excellent waterproofing concrete sealer that you can see working with its exceptional water beading. If you are looking for staining and oil resistance its counterpart Siloxa-Tek 8510 is an even better option. It is 95% actives so it is more expensive but will last longer and make stains easy to clean.