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What is the best concrete countertop wax? When it comes to protecting concrete countertops you are going to want to choose either a durable concrete coating, or a penetrating concrete sealer and wax combination. Durable concrete coatings are great for heavy spills, heavy duty cleaners, abrasion resistance and high gloss finishes. If you want to protect your countertop and completely stop the penetration of spills and staining use a coating.
If you are looking for the concrete countertop to retain its natural look use a penetrating concrete sealer. Penetrating concrete countertop sealers will help to inhibit the penetration of water and staining from fluids. Keep in mind that spills still need to be cleaned up in a timely manner when using a penetrating concrete countertop sealer. Using a concrete countertop wax in addition to a penetrating concrete sealer will help to increase the staining protection, and bring the sheen up to a satin finish.
We like this concrete countertop wax, it is a food safe blend of beeswax, carnauba wax and mineral oil that is specifically manufactured for concrete countertop applications. A few light coats of wax is applied to a concrete countertop and we recommend waxing the countertops weekly. Concrete countertop wax is extremely affordable and provides much needed added protection to penetrating concrete countertop sealers.
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Q: How often do you have to seal stamped concrete?
A: Stamped concrete is concrete that is textured and/or patterned to resemble stone, brick, flagstone etc. It can be colored using a stain, dye or integrally colored with pigments. If the stamped concrete has been colored a lot of times a sealer will be used to enhance the colors, patterns and the textures. Solvent based acrylics are popular choices to seal stamped concrete. Solvent based acrylic concrete sealers are topical in nature so they need to be reapplied every year to every few years. This can be extended if deicing salts are not used on the surface.
If a stamped concrete sealer is used around a pool deck it will usually need to be resealed every season. This is because the chemicals in the water or the salts in the pool water will wear away at the coating over time. The water will sit on the stamped concrete and break down the sealer. The good news is that the sealer is taking all of the abuse which means that the stamped concrete itself remains protected and in tact.
Solvent based acrylic concrete sealers will last longer than water based acrylic concrete sealers. Solvent based sealers will also provide a deeper enhancement and gloss. Additives can be mixed into solvent based acrylic sealers to bring down the sheen and non slip additives can be mixed into for added traction especially around pool decks. Water based acrylic concrete sealers will leave a lower sheen and do not provide as much color enhancement. They are less slippery when wet and are ideal for states with VOC restrictions.
Penetrating concrete sealers on the other hand do not provide any enhancement to the stamped concrete; however, they are able to last much longer. The stamped concrete will retain its natural appearance without any gloss or sheen but the penetrating concrete sealer will protect from spalling, cracking and mold for up to ten years before needing to be resealed. The sacrifice of using a penetrating concrete sealer on stamped concrete would be the clear, natural finish and the lack of sheen or gloss.
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Q: How Many Square Feet Does Concrete Sealer Cover
A: Square footage is going to depending on a number of factors including what type of concrete sealer you are using, the surface profile of the concrete and how many coats of concrete sealer you are applying.
Penetrating concrete sealers do just as their name implies, they penetrate deep into the concrete providing protection from the inside out. Penetrating concrete sealers do not leave a surface film and they do not provide any enhancement. They do; however, go a long way. Penetrating concrete sealers have a watery consistency, a lot of times because their viscosity is very close to water on the centipoise scale. Penetrating concrete sealers will typically cover anywhere from 100 – 400 square feet per gallon. Two coats are usually recommended so this will cut the coverage amount in half to 50 – 200 square feet per gallon for 2 coats.
Concrete coatings, epoxy floor coatings and urethane coatings have a thicker viscosity and the coverage rate will vary based on the mils (one thousandth of an inch) thickness they are applied at. Some durable concrete coatings are applied over 20 mils in thickness and would constitute a high build system where as some durable coatings are applied at 5 mils in thickness which would constitute a thin build system. You can get anywhere from 100-600 square feet per gallon out of a durable coating. You usually apply one coat of primer and one coat of topcoat.
Decorative concrete sealers and coatings are usually applied in a single coat with the square footage per gallon varying depending on the porosity and substrate and if the concrete has been previously sealed. For example, pavers are going to be a lot more porous than hand troweled concrete and the square footage per gallon of sealer is not going to go as far. Also in most cases if concrete has never been sealed it will be extremely porous and require additional coats of sealer. Decorative concrete sealers usually cover anywhere from 100-400 square feet per gallon.
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Q: Is concrete sealer toxic?
A: Concrete sealers are available in three different forms: water based, solvent based and 100% actives/100% solids. The toxicity of a concrete sealer will depend on its chemical components. Generally speaking solvent based concrete sealers are going to be more toxic than water based concrete sealers. By viewing the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) you can view the hazardous statements and the precautionary statements associated with the product. Concrete sealers also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are emitted from liquid chemicals. Water based concrete sealers contain less VOC’s than solvent based sealers. VOC’s can be dangerous, have strong odors and result in adverse health effects.
That being said, solvent based concrete sealers tend to outperform and outlast water based concrete sealers. Water and solvents are used in concrete sealers to carry the active ingredients into the substrate and solvents are able to penetrate deeper and bond better. Solvent based concrete sealers can be more expensive than water based products. Now a days VOC regulations are set on a state level. Certain states are more strict with the amount of VOC’s allowed in a product for retail sale. For example certain areas of California have a VOC limit of 100 g/L. This makes it hard when shopping for a concrete sealer since manufacturers will not sell certain products to certain states. There are however, certain exempts solvents which are still allowed despite their VOC content.
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Q: How Much Does it Cost to Seal a Concrete Driveway?
A: The cost of sealing a concrete driveway is going to depend on whether you are looking to hire a contractor to do the sealing or if you are looking to do the sealing yourself. Most concrete sealers these days are extremely DIY friendly. VOC regulations (volatile organic compounds, or how smelly a product will be) are relatively low and concrete sealers do not usually require a respirator or special equipment.
If you decide the task is too much of an undertaking and you hire a contractor the cost is going to be significantly more. You are not only paying the product cost but you are also paying for the concrete surface preparation, product application and cleanup. Most contractors usually charge about $1 a square foot to do the actual sealing. If the concrete does not need any surface preparation the job can usually be done in one day.
The product cost is going to vary based on the type of concrete sealer that is used. If you are using a decorative concrete sealer like an acrylic or urethane the product cost can vary anywhere from $0.25- $0.50 a square foot. If you are using a penetrating concrete sealer the cost ranges anywhere from $0.20 to $0.75 a square foot.
So how much does it cost to seal a concrete driveway? If you hire a contractor the cost is about $1.20 -$1.75 a square foot. If you decide to seal the concrete yourself the cost is about $0.20-$0.75 a square foot. If you decide to use an acrylic concrete sealer or a decorative sealer that will give a gloss or wet look finish, keep in mind that these products need to be reapplied every few years. If you decide to use a penetrating concrete sealer they only need to be reapplied every 5-10 years.
If you decide to embark on the sealing process read our How to Seal Concrete article which goes over the step by step application process.
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Applying concrete sealer is a manageable DIY job, but results depend almost entirely on preparation and following the manufacturer’s directions. Here’s the process from start to finish.
Tools You’ll Need
- Pump sprayer: fastest for penetrating sealers on large areas. Garden pump-up, backpack or low-pressure airless sprayers all work. See best sprayer for concrete sealer.
- Paint roller: a 1/4″ or 3/8″ nap works for most sealers and is best for acrylics and epoxy coatings.
- Brush: for edges and small areas.
- Cleaning supplies, painter’s tape, and protective gloves and eyewear.
Step-by-Step Application
- Check the weather. Pick a dry day with no rain in the forecast. Most sealers are applied between about 40°F and 90°F; check the label. See best temperature to apply concrete sealer.
- Make sure the concrete is ready. New concrete usually needs to cure first. See how long to wait to seal concrete.
- Clean thoroughly. Remove dirt, oil, grease, mold and efflorescence, and let the surface dry completely. See how to clean concrete before sealing.
- Remove old film-forming sealers if you’re switching to a penetrating sealer, or if the old sealer is peeling. See how to remove concrete sealer.
- Profile the surface for coatings. Epoxy and urethane coatings need a rough profile (typically CSP 2–3) from grinding or acid etching. Neutralize and rinse after etching.
- Apply the first coat evenly, working in manageable sections and avoiding puddles.
- Apply the second coat if the label calls for it. Many penetrating sealers are applied “wet-on-wet” (the second coat goes on before the first dries). Coatings have a specific recoat window.
- Let it dry and cure before foot or vehicle traffic. See how long concrete sealer takes to dry.
Spraying vs. Rolling
Spraying is fastest and works best for thin, penetrating sealers. Rolling gives better control and a more even film for acrylics and epoxies. With either tool, avoid over-applying: excess penetrating sealer can leave a residue, and thick acrylic coats can trap solvent and turn white.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sealing damp concrete or right before rain
- Skipping cleaning or applying over oil stains
- Applying too thick a coat
- Mixing incompatible chemistries (for example, a water-based acrylic over a solvent-based one)
- Missing the recoat window on two-coat systems
How Much Sealer Will You Need?
Coverage varies by product and how porous the concrete is. See how many square feet concrete sealer covers, and check the label’s coverage rate before you buy.
Still choosing a sealer? See our best concrete sealers guide.