Deciding on an application tool will depend on the type of concrete sealer you are applying and the amount of square footage you are sealing.
If you are applying a penetrating concrete sealer you can use either a garden variety pump-up sprayer such as the Echo 2 Gallon Sprayer found at homedepot.com retailing for $29.97 or a paint roller or even a paint brush. The Echo sprayer is easy to use, is relatively inexpensive and can be washed out and reused after sealing. Any of the aforementioned application tools do a good job of getting the sealer material onto the concrete. It will mostly come down to personal preference unless the manufacturer states a specific application tool. For large scale applications sprayers are faster and more efficient; whereas paint rollers are less expensive and are more readily available.
If you are going to be applying a decorative acrylic sealer or an epoxy floor coating it is best to use a 1/4″ or 3/8 nap roller. We like the Epoxy Glide Rollers by Wooster since they are specially formulated for epoxies and urethanes. They have excellent paint pick up release and flow with causing stipple and they are shed resistant so no lint will end up in the finished coating. Home Depot sells the 1/4″ 9″ Epoxy Glide Roller cover for $4.
Familiar names such as Okon, and RustOleum do well in our tests – but so do a few newcomers.
According to Wikipedia, “concrete sealer is applied to concrete to protect it from surface damage, corrosion and staining. They either block the pores in the concrete to reduce absorption of water and salts or form an impermeable layer which prevents such materials from passing.”
Source: wikipedia.com
Picking out concrete sealer, let alone the best concrete sealer, can sometimes be daunting – there are just so many choices in type, finish, chemistry and application.
How we decided which products to review
We purchase every product we review. For this year’s review we considered forty concrete sealers, spent twenty-five hours researching, interviewed a few experts and consulted numerous consumers reviews. We buy and test concrete sealers ranging from about $20 a gallon up to $200 a gallon. For this year’s review we considered penetrating concrete sealers and epoxy garage floor coatings and have our best recommendations for both categories. Our pick for best penetrating concrete sealer: Siloxa-Tek 8500. Our pick for best garage epoxy floor coating: Rokrez Pro
The difference between penetrating concrete sealers and epoxy garage floor coatings
Penetrating concrete sealers do exactly what their name implies, they penetrate the concrete to form a chemical barrier that protects against water, moisture and deicing salts. Penetrating concrete sealers do not change the look or feel of the concrete and leave a natural, breathable finish. If you are looking for a sealer to combat deicing salt and freeze-thaw cycling a penetrating concrete sealer is the best. A penetrating concrete sealer has a long-life span and can last upwards of five years before needing to reapply it. Penetrating concrete sealers remain popular because they are easy to apply and require little to no maintenance once applied. Any DIYer can apply this product, all you need is a sprayer or paint roller.
Durable epoxy floor coatings on the other hand build a protective film on the concrete surface, producing a hard, long-lasting abrasion and chemical resistant finish. Available in a variety of colors most durable coatings leave a gloss finish. Paint flakes or metallics can be mixed into epoxy floor coatings to give a floor decorative and durable properties. One of the most important properties of getting a long-life span is proper surface preparation. Before applying an epoxy garage floor coating acid etching or grinding is required.
Penetrating concrete sealer reviews 2019
To determine whether a penetrating concrete sealer can withstand winter freeze-thaw cycles, our testers apply a concrete sealer in the spring and re-evaluate the results the following spring. Core samples are taken to determine the penetration depth. Rilem tubes are used to evaluate water absorption. We also visually inspect the concrete for any noticeable spalling or cracking. Our criteria included cost, durability and customer reviews.
How does a penetrating concrete sealer work? Concrete Décor has a fantastic article that describes this in detail, “A penetrating sealer reduces a substrate’s ability to absorb water or stains at the molecular level. Imagine the concrete surface as a series of microscopic doors (pores) set end to end. Without any kind of sealer, those doors are wide open, allowing easy entry for water or stains…Once the sealer is applied, those doors aren’t open as wide, which keeps the stain from getting into the surface. Note the doors don’t close completely, which allow vapor and gas to move through the substrate, but they don’t allow larger molecules with higher energy to pass through.”
Source: concretedecor.net
Our best overall pick
While most of the penetrating concrete sealers we have tested for the last three years have failed up to us writing this review, the Siloxa-Tek 8500 is still intact and performing like the day it was applied. Although the water beading effect has begun to fade in some areas the reduction in water absorption and the reduction in chloride ion content is still high. Make sure to read our full review on the Siloxa-Tek 8500.
The Siloxa-Tek 8500 is always favorably reviewed with 94% of customers recommending it. One reviewer, Diyer22, on HomeDepot.com says, “I was skeptical at first, couldn’t see how such a product could water proof concrete and be applied so easily. I power washed our 10 year old driveway, let it dry for a few days then applied this product using a pump sprayer in the early morning so that it didn’t instantly evaporate giving it a chance to penetrate the concrete. Don’t be fooled, pictures of results are attached. Driveway looks great, water just beads, one picture compares my sidewalk to my neighbors un treated driveway.”
Source: homedepot.com
One of the most unique features of the Siloxa-Tek 8500 is that it is available as a concentrate so you have the freedom to choose if you want to pay less to do a little extra work or pay a little more for the ease of convenience.
Finish: Natural
Durability: 5+ years
Coverage: 250 square feet per gallon, apply two coats
Preparation: Clean, dry concrete
Dry Time: 6 hours
Availability: Concrete Sealer Supply, Homedepot.com, Lowes.com, Amazon.com,
A better option
Siloxa-Tek 8500 is one of only two products in our ratings to earn an excellent in longevity and penetration depth. However, since we started our initial review, its counterpart, Siloxa-Tek 8510 came available on the marketplace. Unlike the Siloxa-tek 8500 the Siloxa-Tek 8510 product is a solvent based product. The Siloxa-Tek 8510 features all the best qualities of the 8500 but has additional stain protection to make oil and grease stains easier to clean. Although it is not as readily available as the Siloxa-Tek 8500 it may be a better option if you are looking for an even better product. Be aware that it is a lot more expensive than the 8500 (about $35 more per gallon)
Other products we considered: Read our reviews on Eagle Natural Seal and Okon S-20.
Garage floor epoxy coating reviews 2019
To determine whether an epoxy floor coating can withstand vehicle traffic our testers tested numerous vehicles with different weights and tires. Elcometer testing is performed to determine adhesion and bond. We also visually inspect the concrete for any noticeable scratches, scuffs and hot tire pick up. Garage floor coatings remain popular because they bring a garage floor to life with color, metallics and paint flakes. Our criteria included cost, durability and customer reviews.
What is a garage floor epoxy coating? An epoxy garage floor coating is not a paint. This is confusing because some paints may have a small amount of epoxy added to the mix to make it more durable than standard paint but it is still a paint. When looking for a garage floor epoxy coating make sure it is a true two component epoxy.
How to Apply
We found that applying an epoxy primer and then applying a urethane top coat to protect the epoxy gave it the longest lifespan. Application can be easy and save you a lot of money if you choose to do it yourself. Garage floor epoxies are two component products that need to be mixed prior to applying. Part A’s are mixed with Part B’s and then rolled or squeegeed onto the concrete.
Surface prep
When it comes to applying a garage floor epoxy one of the most important factors is the surface preparation. The floor needs to have good surface texture so the epoxy can bond and adhere. This can be achieved by etching the concrete with muriatic acid or using a floor grinder to grind the concrete. Apply garage floor epoxies to bare concrete. Do not apply garage floor epoxies to coated concrete without first removing the previous coating. Do not apply garage floor epoxies to outdoor applications, they are for indoor use only.
Garage floor epoxies are excellent at resisting chemicals such as oils and grease and resist long term spills – even if these fluids sit on the coating for a few days.
Another important factor when it comes to applying a garage floor epoxy is the amount of moisture that is in the concrete. If there is a substantial amount of moisture in the concrete you are going to want to use a vapor barrier coating as a primer and then apply an epoxy garage floor coating.
Hot tire pickup
The issue of car tires pulling sealer from concrete is hot tire pickup. Hot-tire pickup comes down to sealer type, and more importantly, sealer adhesion — the bond between the sealer and concrete substrate.
According to Concrete Décor: “As a car tire runs on the street during normal use, the temperature of the rubber increases. To experience this, feel your car tire in the morning before you drive, then again after you arrive at your destination. The heat generated from normal use causes the tire to expand slightly. When you stop driving and the tire cools, it shrinks back to normal size. This contraction in size puts pressure on the surface the tire is resting on. That pressure is the force that causes hot-tire pickup. As the tire shrinks, it pulls the sealer off the concrete.” Choosing a high quality garage floor epoxy is essential to preventing hot tire pickup.
Source: concretedecor.net
Best overall pick
For the first time we tested the Rokrez Pro product and we are impressed with the quality and finish of the product. Rokrez Pro Industrial Floor Coating by Simiron is a uniquely formulated two-component, 100% solids, high-build epoxy that provides heavy-duty protection for industrial floors. Rokrez Pro extended working time makes the product easy-to-use and enhances adhesion by allowing maximum surface penetration.
The Rokrez Pro is favored by reviewers: “
Tip: Add a slip resistant additive to make the finished product less slippery when wet. Use metallic additives and paint chips to give the floor a decorative feel. Also on the manufacturers website there is a dealer locator feature which allows you to input your zip code and see what local retailers stock the product.
Finish: High gloss
Coverage: 160 square feet per gallon, applied at 10 mils
Preparation: CSP 3-4 (grinded)
Dry Time: 16-24 hours dry to touch, full cure 7 days
Availability: Rokrez Dealer Locator
Other products we considered: Read our full Rocksolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Coating Kit review
Most readily available
Do it yourself epoxy garage floor kits such as RustOleum’s Epoxyshield or RockSolid products are readily available; however, they are not always the longest lasting or highest quality products. When choosing a DIY epoxy look for one with 100% solids, they last the longest and are able to withstand the most abrasion, heavy traffic and chemical exposure. Even though 100% solids epoxy systems have an expensive up front cost they are going to last the longest and save you money in the long run.
Why you should trust us
We have worked in the construction industry for more than 20 years. We’ve reviewed countless sealer products with our conclusions posted throughout this site. For this guide we also talked to a number of experts about what they look for when sealing any concrete application.
The American Concrete Institute provided us with resources about terminology and the industry, and we gained insight from magazines such as Concrete Decor, Concrete Construction and For Construction Pros as to which products were popular among contractors.
To determine the longevity of sealers we relied heavily on customer reviews from Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon as well as our own in house testing.
Common uses for concrete sealer:
Basement Waterproofing Sealer
The primary purpose of sealing a basement is waterproofing. Water is the arch enemy of concrete. Concrete is porous and water moves throughout concrete easily.
According to Energy Star, if your basement is damp, “The source of your problem could be a water leak or high humidity. Both can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth…A damp basement is a result of moisture migrating through a concrete foundation. There may not be a sign of any leak or standing water, but the moisture evaporates, increasing indoor humidity. Another common cause is condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors during humid months.”
Source: energystar.com
When choosing a basement waterproofing sealer you first must determine what type of moisture you are experiencing and where it is coming from. Is the water coming in through a crack or cold seam? Is there an inch of water in the basement or is the concrete damp when you touch it? Are you experiencing mold or mildew or concrete sweating?
One of the easiest ways to determine the amount of moisture in your concrete is to perform a Calcium Chloride Test. Once you have the results you can then determine whether a penetrating concrete sealer, cementitious waterproof coating or a moisture vapor barrier coating is going to be the best option.
Concrete Driveway Sealer
Concrete driveways are one of the most common applications for concrete sealer; especially in cold weather climates. Local Department of Transportation’s use deicing salts and chlorides on the roadways during the winter to melt ice and snow. Salt is extremely corrosive to concrete and if left untreated it will result in damage. Even if you don’t salt your driveway, cars that drive on the roadways track in the deicing salts. Over time visible cracking, spalling and pitting may result. One of the easiest ways to prevent concrete deicing salt damage is to use a penetrating concrete sealer with a silane or silane/siloxane chemistry.
Patio Sealer
Patios can be made from a variety of materials including pavers, bricks, stone, slate, stamped concrete and broom finished concrete. Use a concrete sealer on any of these substrates. The primary purpose of sealing a patio can be decorative, to enhance the colors and textures. Or the purpose can be functional to protect from staining, or salt water exposure.
One of the most popular types of patio sealer is a wet look sealer. A wet look sealer is usually of an acrylic or urethane chemistry. Once applied it leaves a glossy, wet look appearance. Although they are nice to look at for a few years they require regular maintenance to keep their original sheen. Over time the suns UV rays, acid rain, and weathering cause decorative wet look sealers to dull.
If you do not want to keep up with annual maintenance, a penetrating concrete sealer is a great option. Although the initial cost may be higher, in the long term the investment pays for itself.
Garage Floor Coating
Treat garage floors with a concrete sealer or a concrete coating. Sealers used on garage floors are typically penetrating concrete sealers that have stain repellent properties to resist oil and grease absorption. For information on oil repellent sealers read our review. Coatings used on garage floors are usually epoxy floor coatings. Epoxy floor coatings are durable protects that are able to withstand chemical exposure and heavy abrasions.
What should I use to seal a concrete driveway? Concrete is one of the most popular materials to use on a driveway. Concrete is durable, strong and can last a lot longer than asphalt. Although it is more expensive than asphalt it is easier to maintain and does not have to be resealed as frequently if you choose the right concrete driveway sealer.
Concrete is a mixture of water, Portland cement and aggregate. Once mixed the concrete resembles a slurry and poured into forms with rebar or steel reinforcement. Additives and retarders may be added at the time of the pour to increase the strength or slow the drying time. Tools are used to float the concrete and make it smooth. Most concrete driveway are broom finished which means a broom is used to float the wet concrete.
As the concrete cures it hardens. Concrete does not dry out on its own but undergoes a slow chemical process that hardens it. If concrete is not properly cured it can lead to a number of problems including, cracking and dusting. A cure and seal can be used by a concrete contractor to speed up the curing process; keeping the concrete hydrated and protected.
Choosing a concrete sealer
About 30 days after a concrete driveway is poured the most important step is to seal it with a concrete sealer. The type of sealer you use will depend on the level of protection you are looking for, how often you are looking to reseal and your budget. A good concrete sealer will protect the concrete driveway from road salts, cracking, spalling and pitting. The best time to apply a concrete sealer is in the fall right before the winter season.
The average cost of a concrete driveway is about $6 per square foot. The average cost of a concrete driveway sealer is about $0.50 per square foot. Concrete driveway sealers are applied every few years and concrete driveways can last for 50 years.
Concrete sealer recommendations
Siloxa-Tek 8500: one of the best concrete driveway sealers we have reviewed. It is extremely DIY friendly and is easily applied. Click here for our in depth review.
Okon S-40: an affordable concrete driveway sealer from a trusted manufacturer. Click here for our in depth review.
What makes concrete sealer the best?
We have a lot of information and a lot of articles that are written on why we think you should use a particular sealer; even referring to it as the best. We understand that this is a big claim especially considering how many options are out there on the market. We also get a lot of questions about why we review certain products and not others. When it comes to answering the question “what makes concrete sealer the best” we have to first evaluate the following.
Manufacturer: who is the manufacturer of the concrete sealer, how long have they been in business, do they have credibility, etc. Once we determine through research that a manufacturer is reliable, we then feel comfortable testing out their products.
Compatibility: When we are reviewing a concrete sealer for a particular application we need to make sure that the type of sealer will give us the results we are looking for. For example we are not going to be testing out an acrylic sealer on a driveway exposed to deicing salts since we already know that it is not going to last more than a season. Therefore if we are writing about concrete driveway sealers we are going to evaluate a penetrating concrete sealer since we know it will perform, last for at least a few years and protect the concrete from deicing salt and spalling. This is similar to why we would not review an epoxy floor coating on a concrete driveway; epoxies are not UV stable. Understand that when we review a concrete driveway sealer we have already determined the type of chemistry that will be best for a particular application and that is why we are not mentioning hundreds of different products in our reviews.
Testing: Before we write about our experiences with a certain product, we test it out. The testing can be based on a one time use if we are writing about the ease of application or multi-year evaluation if we are reviewing long term performance.
Trust the experts: After years of testing a lot of products out there on the market we have first hand knowledge to share with you to make your shopping experience easier. We test from the perspective of a DIYer and give you our first hand results and experiences so you do not have to test multiple products.
The most common question we are asked is what is the best concrete sealer? Our answer usually depends on the category and the protection that individual is looking for. But there are a few common principles that will guide every product recommendation.
Actives: When a manufacturer refers to the “actives” in their product this is usually referred to as the active ingredient percentage. For example when it comes to choosing a silane sealer the actives content can range anywhere from 5% to 100% depending on the carrier. Silanes are mixed with either water, solvent or they are 100% active. The actives concentration will determine the type of performance that is expected out of a particular product. For example a 5% silane is going to have a shorter lifespan and is not going to perform as well as a 40% silane. And a water based silane is not going to perform or last as long as a solvent based silane. But there is a time and place for each of these situations. For example states like California have strict VOC laws and some solvents are not compliant; thereby eliminating their use. In these cases a water based silane can be used. Or if budget is an issue you may want to use a lower actives product. Just keep in mind you will need to reseal more frequently. 100% actives sealers are going to last the longest and perform the best with a high actives solvent based sealer being the next best option and then a water based sealer.
Quality: When it comes to sealers, again using a silane as an example, there are different strands that are better performing than others. We are going to get a little scientific on you now but an octyltriethoxysilane is going to perform better than an isobutytriethoxysilane. When we review products we pay attention to the disclosed ingredients and their effect on performance.
Price: Price is what will usually makes or breaks the decision to use a certain product. Yes we can say a product is the best we have ever tried but if it is thousands of dollars it is not even worth your time to read about it. We try to let you know the price in our reviews so you can either continue your research or move along to a different product.
Basement Waterproofing Sealer
More than half of homes in the USA have problems with wet or damp basements. Because of the high water tables basements are at high risk for water and moisture intrusion. In order to keep a basement dry it is best to use one of these common basement waterproofing techniques:
Dehumidifier: Best if the moisture in the basement is due to condensation. This can be determined by performing the plastic sheet test. Tape some plastic onto a damp spot, sealing the edges with tape for a few days. If moisture appears on the wall side of the plastic, it’s a leak; if moisture is on the outside, it’s a condensation problem. A dehumidifier will help to reduce air borne moisture and will also help to reduce the musty basement smell.
French Drain: For more severe cases of basement moisture, a french drain is used. A french drain a trench filled with gravel and rock that contains a perforated pipe to redirect surface water and groundwater away from a foundation. They are difficult to install, prone to clogging and can be expensive to maintain.
Basement Waterproofing Sealer: When concrete basement foundations are installed contractors typically install a vapor barrier. However, not all homes have vapor barriers so a moisture or vapor barrier sealer is usually the best option. First you will need to determine the amount of moisture in the concrete which can be done through a Calcium Chloride Test. If the amount of moisture is below 20lbs a product like the Vapor-Tek 440 can be used. It will resist up to 20lbs of moisture and is an easy, cost-effective option to combat basement moisture.
Best Deicing Salt for Concrete
If you have just installed new concrete or if you have an existing concrete slab you are going to want to be diligent about choosing the best deicing salt for your concrete. Deicing salts can be extremely damaging to concrete causing it to spall, pit and crack even after one winter season. In order to combat these harmful effects you are first going to want to seal your concrete with a penetrating salt repellent concrete sealer.
After your concrete has been sealed you want to make sure to follow the tips below in order to protect your concrete.
- Make sure new concrete is 6 months old before exposing it to a deicing salt chemical; if concrete is newer than this it could cause damage.
- Never use ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate as they will erode concrete at a very fast rate.
- Avoid coming into contact with plants or grass as they can also be damaged by deiciers.
- Use sand as an alternative or use both sand and a deicing salt to maximize traction. When deicing salts are used in conjunction with sand they can provide extra traction in slippery environments.
The safest way to protect your concrete from deicing salt exposure is to not use any deicing salts; however, this is not always possible. If you are going to use deicing salts use them sparingly since heavy and repeated use can result in permanent damage. Also make sure to seal your concrete before exposing it to any indirect or direct deicing salt exposure. Indirect deicing salt exposure can occur when your vehicle tracks in chlorides from the roadways.
The four most popular snow and ice deicing salt melts are:
- Sodium chloride – the most popular and most readily available deicer also known as rock salt. It is also the most damaging as it will damage concrete and metal.
- Calcium chloride – these round white pellets when used in a high enough concentration may chemically attack concrete.
- Potassium chloride – will only work if the air temperature is about 15ºF.
- Magnesium chloride – the best, safest and newest deicing slat on the market. It will work in temperatures as cold as -13ºF.