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.
