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.
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.
When it comes to answering the question of what the best concrete sealer is, its hard to pin point one type of sealer for all applications. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a sealer including application (driveway, patio, etc.), substrate (concrete, brick, masonry) and functionality (salt repellent, waterpoofer, oil repellent,decorative).
Below is a quick reference guide that highlights common applications, substrates and functionalities:
Concrete Driveway: If you are looking for deicing salt protection use a silane/siloxane blended sealer. If you are looking for oil and staining protection use a silane/siloxane with a stain protector like the Siloxa-Tek 8505.
Concrete Basement: If you have active moisture or water issues it is best to use a two step application by first using a densifying primer of a lithium silicate carrier, followed by a penetrating silane/siloxane product. If you do not have active moisture issues and are looking to proactively seal, use this fantastic all-in-one product found at homedepot.com
Concrete Blocks/Cinderblocks: Because of the porous nature of the concrete cinderblocks it is best to apply three to four coats of a penetrating silane/siloxane sealer.
Stone/Stucco/Slate/Bricks: Stone, stucco, slate and bricks are best protected using a penetrating, natural finish silane/siloxane sealer that will not encapsulate the substrate so it is still able to breathe.
Patio/Pavers/Pool Deck: When sealing a patio, pavers or pool deck it is best to first figure out the desired finish if you are looking for a natural/clear finish, low sheen or wet look/gloss. If you are sealing a salt water pool a silane/siloxane blend is going to be the best option to keep the pool deck from spalling and pitting. Keep in mind that the natural finish products are penetrating and give the longest lasting, best protection. Whereas low sheen and gloss finishes typically need to be reapplied on a more frequent basis.
Natural/Clear Finish: Penetrating silane/siloxane sealer
Low Sheen: Water based acrylic
Wet Look/Gloss: Solvent based acrylic
Waterproofing/Salt Protection: A penetrating silane/siloxane like this one that gets great reviews from HomeDepot.com
Oil/Staining Protection: Lowes.com offers this product in a concentrate so you get to control the mixing and application. It’s great to protect driveways from oil stains and leaf staining and backyard patios from BBQ grill and food stains.
After over 20 hours of researching more than 10 concrete sealers and testing and evaluating a few of them, our results for the Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 – Decorative Concrete Sealers are found below.
Part 2: Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 Decorative Concrete Sealers
**Be sure to check out Part 1: Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 – Penetrating Sealers
Best of the Best: Euclid Chemical Super Diamond Clear
Bottom Line: This product is tried and true. This is the go to cure and seal concrete sealer in the industry designed to cure new concrete while providing a non-yellowing seal simultaneously protecting and enhancing the appearance of concrete. Every contractor we spoke to has used this product for years with great results.
Pros: It can be used on fresh concrete; you do not have to wait the industry standard 28 days for concrete to cure before using this product. This product can also be tinted with a color pack available in 33 standard colors.
Cons: Not as readily available through online retailers as we would like. A hazmat shipping surcharge is usually applied, and the VOC content prevents it from being shipped to all 50 states. Also the smallest quantity available is a case or four, one gallon jugs.
Also awesome all around: Cryli-Tek 5505 concrete sealer
Bottom Line: We really liked the versatility of this concrete sealing product and how a matting agent is available to reduce the gloss finish. You can choose from a high gloss, wet look, satin or low sheen finish. A slip resistant additive is also available to reduce the slipperiness when wet. The additive is mixed in at the time of application.
Pros: Available for purchase through a number of online retailers with an instructional application video available on the manufacturers website.
Cons: It comes at an expensive price point but as the saying goes you get what you pay for.
Home Depot Star Rating: 4.5/5
Check Price: Home Depot.com
Actual customer reviews: (source HomeDepot.com)
Star Rating: 5/5 “Excellent product. I power washed my colored textured concrete pool deck and applied the product using a roller. The product dried clear with a wet look. The surface is slippery, and the only recommendation I would make is to add grit to the product itself or on the surface during the drying process.” – Mike
Star Rating: 5/5 “…Ghostshield recommended just one coat. I applied two (do at your own risk). The results were awesome. Remember that surface prep is by far the most important part. Clean the concrete with a great cleaner…several times. I used tsp. Sweeping, mopping and more of each until there is no dirt left. After the first coat was dry I let it sit for about two weeks then cleaned and applied the second. It looks wet all the time now and brought out all the colors. Easy to install, I am not a contractor nor do I work on concrete. I’m just a regular guy who likes to diy. Hope this helps someone out there.” – Anonymous
Considerations:
Chemistry – For Part 2 of our Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 series, we reviewed decorative sealers/coatings; more specifically water and solvent based acrylics and methacrylates.
Finish – Decorative concrete sealers leave matte, satin or gloss finishes and change appearance of the concrete giving you the much desired “wet look.” If you are looking for a longer lasting concrete sealer that will protect from deicing salts, check out our Part 1: Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 – Penetrating Sealers
Features – Features of this concrete sealer include color enhancement, gloss or satin finish options, non-yellowing appearance, uv protection and dustproofing.
Availability – We considered concrete sealing products that are in stock on shelves, products sold online through big box retailers and/or products sold online only shipped through the manufacturer themselves.
Performance – Results were conducted through independent tests by our experts, contractors, and homeowners. Products were evaluated on a 1 week, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year basis.
How we decided: There are hundreds of concrete sealers available on the consumer market, so how do you tell which one is right for you? We test every product we review. For this decorative concrete sealer comparison 10 models were considered, 20 hours were spent researching, 2 experts were interviewed and 50 consumers were consulted. We listened to your feedback and have finally released our list of Best Concrete Sealers for 2018: Decorative Concrete Sealers edition! In our research, we found that more inexpensive decorative sealers suffered in longevity due to low resins and solids content and most commercial products had high VOC’s and could not be used in all fifty states. We prioritized finding a high quality concrete sealer that was both durable, with little maintenance and reasonably priced. We also looked to big box retailers for credibility, and pulled reviews and information from Home Depot, Lowes, White Cap and Amazon.
Deciding factors:
The Super Diamond Clear concrete sealer product is the go-to product in the contractor marketplace. Experienced guys tell you this is their recommendation for concrete flat work. Does all that is expected out of a decorative gloss sealer while helping concrete to cure assuring proper cement hydration and strength gain.
The Cryli-Tek 5505 concrete sealer product is a methacrylate acrylic that holds up extremely well for a decorative concrete sealer. The wet look of this product lasts well over the year we tested it for and when it comes time for it, the resealing process could not be easier since you can apply the 5505 directly on top of a previous coat.
Tips and Tricks:
When using either of these concrete sealer products use a good quality, shed-less 3/8″ nap roller or a low pressure, solvent resistant airless sprayer with a fan nozzle. Use a slip resistant additive to add traction without affecting the appearance.
After over 21 hours of researching more than 14 concrete sealers and testing and evaluating a few of them, our results for the Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 – Penetrating Sealers are found below.
Part 1: Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 – Penetrating Sealers
**Be sure to check out Part 2: Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 – Decorative Concrete Sealers
Best of the Best: Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 concrete sealer
Pros: Longevity and availability; available in a 1 gallon ready to use or 1 gallon concentrate that makes 5 gallons. For larger projects the concentrated version can be used to save money and shipping costs. Used in both the commercial and residential markets.
Cons: Price; it costs more than most of the other concrete sealer products we tested. You also have to apply two coats but a square footage calculator on the manufacturers website easily calculates how many gallons you need for both coats.
Home Depot Star Rating: 4.6/5
Check Price: Home Depot.com
Lowes Star Rating: 5/5
Check Price: Lowes.com
Actual customer reviews: (source HomeDepot.com)
Star Rating: 5/5 “Water beads up on the surface like a recently detailed car. Sweeeet!” – Novi
Star Rating: 5/5 “… So far, it’s holding very well. Had a couple of bad storms with no seepage anymore. It was just a cup of water but no water is definitely better…” – Cor68
Star Rating: 5/5 “This product performed superbly just as the reviews said it would. Easily applied with a roller, easily cleaned up and with the first rain the water beaded up like little marbles and ran in rivers off the patio. Excellent product and worth every penny!” – Medic
Star Rating: 5/5 “I purchased and used 2 gallons to seal a new versa block patio wall -3 sides.- approximately 250 sq. ft. front and a little less on the backside – applied where not back filled yet.
The product went on easily with an electric paint sprayer -2 coats wet to wet as instructed.
I waited until the block was dry -3 days following a hard rain- before applying.
Following application the results were remarkable. Previously saturated block was completely dry. Very impressive! … I would highly recommend this product. Great Results.” – ewr
Star Rating: 5/5 “OMG this stuff is fabulous. I ran it through a paint sprayer (it’s thinner than water) onto a 28-day old concrete foundation. Five gallons did 1000 sq ft plus some elevation-leveling cinder blocks (likely another 350 sq ft) double coat. As the name says, it’s invisible. Concrete stays the same color. This stuff penetrates the surface some, but seals the surface to the point that water beads up into little balls, just like on a freshly waxed car. You can push it with a broom, or a leaf-blower, it’ll roll like ball bearings. I will be doing this again on any concrete I have to deal with.” – clint
Also Good: Okon S-40 concrete sealer
Bottom Line: Not as universally available or reviewed but the manufacturer Rust-Oleum is tried and trued.
Pros: Available for purchase in store if you prefer not to purchase online.
Cons: HomeDepot.com only sells the concrete sealer product in a 5 gallon bucket or a 6 gallon case. This is not great when you have a smaller amount of square footage to seal. Also this product does not have as many reviews as some of the other products we tested so it was harder to get a feel from customers as far as longevity.
Home Depot Star Rating: 4.5/5
Check Price: Home Depot.com
Actual customer reviews: (source HomeDepot.com)
Star Rating: 5/5 “very easy to apply, I used pump sprayer and a paint brush to apply to joints. It dried in about 12-14 hours.” – fritz
Considerations:
Chemistry – For Part 1 of our Best Concrete Sealers for 2108 series, we reviewed penetrating concrete sealers; more specifically silanes, siloxanes and silane/siloxanes.
Finish – Penetrating concrete sealers leave natural finishes and do not change the appearance of the concrete whatsoever. If you are looking for a decorative sealer check out our Part 2: Best Concrete Sealers for 2018 – Decorative Concrete Sealers.
Features – Features include deicing salt resistance, water repellency, stain protection, mold, mildew and efflorescence growth protection.
Availability – We considered concrete sealer products that are in stock on shelves, concrete sealer products sold online through big box retailers and/or concrete sealer products sold online only shipped through the manufacturer themselves.
Performance -Results were conducted through independent tests by our experts, contractors, and homeowners. Concrete sealer products were evaluated on a 1 week, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year basis.
How we decided: There are hundreds of concrete sealers available on the consumer market, so how do you tell which one is right for you? We test every product we review. For this comparison 14 concrete sealer models were considered, 21 hours were spent researching, 2 experts were interviewed and 60 consumers were consulted. In our research, we found that more inexpensive penetrating concrete sealers suffered in quality due to low actives content and most commercial products were exorbitantly priced. We prioritized finding a high quality concrete sealer that was both durable and had a high actives content at a reasonable price. We also looked to big box retailers for credibility, and pulled reviews and information from Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon.
Deciding factors: The 8500 concrete sealer product that we have been testing for years has still maintained its integrity, water repellency and salt resistance while all of the other concrete sealer products tested failed in the same time period.
Tips and Tricks:
Siloxa-Tek 8500 Concrete Sealer: When purchasing through Home Depot and Lowes, free shipping and free returns were offered but the price was more expensive than buying from other distributors.
Okon S-40: Try Okon S-20 for a more economical, lesser actives formula. It does not last as long and needs to be reapplied more frequently but will provide a quick fix.
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