How do you choose the best concrete sealer?

You’ve made a lifetime investment when you choose concrete for a project. Concrete is inherently porous, so it is likely stain from leaves, grease, or muddy water run-off. To help ensure beauty and durability, the last step of every concrete project should be sealing. You’ll have a choice of two types of sealers.

  • Solvent. Solvent-based sealers are usually utilized for outdoor concrete projects — driveways, patios, and walkways. Their higher-gloss finish enhances the appearance and can be polished. Solvent-based sealers may sometimes have a longer life span before needing to reseal. Professionals usually apply them because personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.
  • Water-based. Water-based sealers have come a long way and are preferred indoors to avoid the fumes caused by solvent-based sealers.  They are also easier to apply and a good choice for DIYers. Water-based sealers are cost-effective and are less likely to show roller marks or bubbling, and clean-up is easy.

Video On How To Choose A Concrete Sealer:

Why Does Choosing The Right Concrete Sealer Matter?

Sealing is Essential

How to choose the right concrete sealerConcrete is, by its nature, a porous product. Although many people believe that “concrete” and “cement” are interchangeable, they aren’t. Concrete is made of several materials, including cement. Cement is composed of quarried limestone and a silica source (usually industrial byproducts like slag or fly ash) — it’s fired at 2700 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in something called clinker. Clinker is ground to a fine powder and mixed with additives creating cement. Cement is mixed with water, sand, and aggregates to become concrete. A process known as hydration is why concrete becomes durable and strong — the clinker dissolves into the calcium and recombines with the silica and water to form calcium silica hydrates (CHS). When the CHS forms, tight bonds develop that produce the strength of concrete, but microscopic pores develop too, causing concrete to be porous
The Importance of Sealing  Even though we can’t see these minuscule pores, these pores allow stains and discolorations to occur.  Sealing concrete provides: UV protection. Long-term exposure to sunlight damages unsealed concrete by destroying the polymers in the concrete — causing cracks and separation and/or brittleness. UV exposure will cause colors to fade. Chemical protection. A variety of chemicals cause damage to concrete — some products regularly used around the home can cause damage to your concrete.

  1. Spills. Common items like swimming pool chemicals and fertilizers can cause stains, separations, and erosion. Cookouts produce grease spots and food spills, like cola drinks and mustard, which stain concrete.
  2. Automotive. Oil, gasoline, transmission fluid, and antifreeze from your car will stain concrete. Use care refueling your lawnmower or snow blower on your concrete driveway.
  3. Salt. Rock salt damages concrete, primarily through the freeze/thaw cycle.

Colorant longevity. Sealing helps protect dyed or stained concrete against fading. Safety (Tru Grip additive). When mixed into either solvent-based or water-based sealer, Tru Grip additive increases slip resistance, making it perfect for patios, pool decks, walks, stairs, or garages. Easy to clean. Sealed concrete surfaces resist dirt and grime and are easier to clean, whether indoors or outdoors.

Protect Your Creative Vision

What You Are Sealing Matters

Choosing the right concrete sealerIt’s important to select the proper sealer for your particular concrete project. The right choice ensures that your concrete is sealed and protected appropriately for its use and location. What are you sealing? Protect your decorative concrete projects with the recommended sealer for your particular project. What you are sealing makes a difference in the choice of a sealer.

  • Stamped Concrete. Acrylic sealers are the best choice for stamped concrete projects, available in either solvent-or-water-based formulations.
  • Colored Concrete. Acrylic sealers are a good choice for colored concrete — film-forming sealers help enhance the intensity of color in colored concrete.

High Water Area (Pool Deck). Pool decks can get very slippery. A coating additive can be mixed into either solvent-or-water-based sealers to dramatically reduce the risk of falls.

Example of concrete sealer
Where is your concrete located? Where your concrete is located is a key factor in protecting it from damage, and another factor is the anticipated amount of use. High-traffic areas will require a sealer formulated for heavy traffic.

  • Indoor vs. outdoor. Solvent-based sealers are best left to professionals for outdoor applications due to their vapors, requiring that personal protective equipment be worn such as respirators. Water-based sealers can be used for indoor-and-outdoor use. 
  • Commercial, residential, industrial. Commercial and industrial applications require a heavy-duty sealer that protects against wear, UV radiation, heat, chemicals, and other spills. Residential decorative concrete projects, like stamped or colored concrete, are best protected with acrylic sealers. Penetrating sealers are ideal for residential driveways to protect against freeze/thaw cycles in winter. Water-based sealers are the best choice for residential indoor floors and concrete countertops.
Examples of a finished product of concrete sealerWhat is the desired end result? With so many choices for concrete sealing, consider how you want your finished project to look. Communicating your desired end result to your supplier narrows down the choices to help ensure a concrete project that you’ll love for years to come.

  • Shiny. High gloss sealers are a unique solvent blend that leaves a glossy, wet looking finish. High gloss finishes reflect light and help give your decorative concrete the appearance of polished stone. High-gloss finishes require more regular maintenance to maintain their appearance.
  • Matte. Matte finishes provide a more believable quarried stone appearance. If your area has Southern-facing windows, you’ll probably like the matte finish to help eliminate reflectivity and glare. Matte finishes disguise imperfections and don’t show dirt as quickly.
  • Gritty (safe). A “gritty” surface enhances the safety of your concrete surface. Use of a coating additive to your sealer dramatically reduces the slipperiness of a pool deck or exterior stairs.

Dark (color enhancing). Solvent-based sealers “wet out” or darken the surface — ensuring that the colors and surface will be darker after sealing. How to choose a concrete sealer

Timing is Everything

When to Seal

When you apply your sealer is an important factor. Here are some situations to consider. Conditions. Current weather conditions while you’re applying sealer influence your results.

  1. Temperature. Sealers should be applied when the outside temperature is between 50°F and 90°F. Sealer applied below 50°F may never cure. A chemical reaction occurs after the sealer is applied that causes the sealer to cure — temperature influences the curing speed and whether curing occurs at all.
  2. Humidity. As the humidity level rises, the air cools on the concrete surface. The lower the surface temperature, the longer it takes to cure.
  3. Drying time. Both penetrating and film-forming sealers are usually dry to the touch in 1-3 hours. Allow 24 hours before traffic on penetrating sealers and 48 hours for film-forming sealers.

New: After curing new concrete. For most jobs, wait at least 28 days so that your project has cured completely. Stained: After rinsing stain, drying, then blowing debris. It’s best to wait 24 hours to allow the concrete to dry thoroughly before applying sealer. Rejuvenated. Re-Ax stains allow homeowners to restore and rejuvenate their old concrete walkway, driveway, or patio. Once applied, wait for a few hours for the color change, rinse extra stain, dry, blow, and then apply sealer. Finished product of concrete sealer

The Importance of Sealing  Even though we can’t see these minuscule pores, these pores allow stains and discolorations to occur.  Sealing concrete provides: UV protection. Long-term exposure to sunlight damages unsealed concrete by destroying the polymers in the concrete — causing cracks and separation and/or brittleness. UV exposure will cause colors to fade. Chemical protection. A variety of chemicals cause damage to concrete — some products regularly used around the home can cause damage to your concrete.

  1. Spills. Common items like swimming pool chemicals and fertilizers can cause stains, separations, and erosion. Cookouts produce grease spots and food spills, like cola drinks and mustard, which stain concrete.
  2. Automotive. Oil, gasoline, transmission fluid, and antifreeze from your car will stain concrete. Use care refueling your lawnmower or snow blower on your concrete driveway.
  3. Salt. Rock salt damages concrete, primarily through the freeze/thaw cycle.

Colorant longevity. Sealing helps protect dyed or stained concrete against fading. Safety (Tru Grip additive). When mixed into either solvent-based or water-based sealer, Tru Grip additive increases slip resistance, making it perfect for patios, pool decks, walks, stairs, or garages. Easy to clean. Sealed concrete surfaces resist dirt and grime and are easier to clean, whether indoors or outdoors.

The Best of the Best

Sealing Products For Concrete

Solvent-Based

Stampsheen 350Low VOC, High Gloss, Provides protection and shine

  • This low VOC proprietary formulation provides the ultimate high-gloss cure and seal and is the ideal solution in states requiring sealers under 400 VOC levels. Stampsheen 350 also eliminates blistering, premature whiting, and outright peeling and uses the highest-quality domestic resin.

Stampsheen High Gloss, Provides protection and shine

  • Brought back by popular demand — apply the day after cleaning (no 30 day wait – no worries). Composed of 25% solids, solvent-based, and pure acrylic resin, it highlights all the fine detail and color of any stamp job — non-yellowing, UV-resistant, anti-spall, and wear-resistance.

Cure Seal 700  – Silicone resins, Low gloss, Perfect for Pool Decks 

  • Cure Seal 700 is actively linked to a silicone resin to provide additional benefit over silane/siloxane-type formulations. Use a base sealer before applying the finish coat 7 days later. Cure Seal 700 is low sheen, non-yellowing, and slow drying compared to low-VOC products.

Cure Seal 350Lower VOC, Silicone Resins, Perfect for Pool Decks

  • Cure Seal 350 has a unique silicone that allows concrete to breathe. It’s similar to the Stampsheen line but has a lower solids content. It is an ideal sealer for brushed-finished driveways, patios, and pool decks that don’t need as much build and you want to seal earlier.

Water-Based

D2K Heal and SealSatin to Glossy, High Functioning, Two-part, Easy Application

  • An uncompromising “apply-and-forget-it” product that is the very best decorative concrete sealer on the market. Outstanding water repellency.

Tru-Block  – Lower VOC, High Gloss, Provides protection and shine

  • An ideal product for the decorative vertical surface —long-term weather protection and easy to apply.

CAS 150 Cure & SealSatin Finish, Curing Membrane, Sealer, and Dust Proofer in One, More Abrasion Resistant 

  • High-grade acrylic resin is non-yellowing and durable, providing reduced surface porosity and resistance to winter weather chemicals including salt and other de-icing materials.

Stampsheen H20Medium to a High Gloss when Solvent-Based Is Not an Option

  • Stampsheen H20 can be used inside and outside — to provide increased resistance to rain, sun, and stains.

Pro-Tect Sealer & GuardAcrylic/Silicone Hybrid, Perfect for Concrete Counters

  • Easy to use and provides protection for countertops and textured floors. Its unique stain-blocking ability makes it ideal for frequently-used or high-traffic areas.

Tru PelMasonry and Brick Sealer, SprayApplication, Non-slick

  • Ideal penetrating, silane/siloxane water repellant and sealer designed for dense concrete, brick, and other masonry surfaces — creates a hydrophobic barrier against water intrusion at the surface level.

Ultra Thane 10002-3 Thin Coat Application, Tintable, Long Lasting

  • For use indoors and outdoors, it can be used alone or as a finish coat over epoxy or similar coatings for increased wearability. Easy and user-friendly and can be used in almost every state.

Top Sellers

Waltools’ Best Performers

How to choose a concrete sealer Why Choose Deco 2K? Heal and Seal D2K takes trade secret sealer technology and makes it into an uncompromising, “apply-and-forget-it” product. To put it simply,  D2K is the very best decorative concrete sealer on the market for its coverage, durability, and ease of use. D2K will provide color enhancement and satin to a glossy finish. The water repellency is phenomenal and will keep all the bad elements like salt and deicers from penetrating the surface of the concrete.

  • Two-part system
  • Better coverage than acrylics
  • Increased durability
  • Superior chemical-resistance
  • High heat-resistance
  • Phenomenal UV-resistance
  • Excellent against road salt and related chemicals
  •  Coverage is approximately 275-300 sq ft/gallon with single coat coverage in many cases.
  •  Apply with an inexpensive garden sprayer and roller
  •  Water cleanup

Why Choose Stampsheen 350?

Driveway with concrete sealer Your concrete surface, whether it’s a driveway, pathway, or other application, is built to last – but wear-and-tear and weather are always ready to do their worst. The right concrete sealer makes all the difference!

  • High gloss cure and seal solution for a beautiful finish that stands up to wear.
  • Convenient formula can be used in states that require sealers with >400 VOC levels.
  • Resistant to UV exposure and yellowing for an attractive, consistent look over time.
  • Covers up to 200 square feet per gallon for concrete sealing projects of all sizes.

Concrete sealer product

Why Choose Tru Grip?

Whether you want to prevent slips around a pool deck or just want your concrete to stay looking beautiful all year round, Tru Grip is a must. This sealer additive is easy to use and hardworking, just like the rest of our concrete stain, sealant, and treatment range.

  • Lightweight formula resists settling in prepared stains for even application.
  • Won’t discolor or yellow your base color, stain, or sealer.
  • Treats up to five gallons of sealer with just one 16 ounce container; economic and efficient.

Concrete Sealer FAQ’s

What Else To Know

Concrete sealer

How do you seal decorative concrete?

  • First, be sure to choose the correct sealer for your project. Read and understand the instructions because timing and weather influence when the sealer should be applied. Make sure that you have the necessary tools. Clean the surface. Apply the sealer evenly and avoid puddling. Allow the sealer to dry, following the manufacturer’s recommendations — usually 24-to-48 hours.

What is the best sealer for patterned concrete?

  • Both solvent-and-water-based sealers work well for patterned concrete. For stamped concrete projects, acrylic sealers are ideal due to their ease of application, are cost-effective, and allow the slab to breathe. Acrylic sealers are also UV resistant and non-yellowing. For outdoor patterned concrete, solvent-based sealers penetrate the surface and aren’t prone to become milky. For interior projects, water-based sealers are preferred to avoid Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Are Water based acrylic concrete sealers good?

  • Water based Acrylic concrete sealers are an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor projects. They are extremely durable, even in outdoor applications, and they are safe, even for indoor applications. Acrylic sealers are easy to apply and don’t dry as quickly — a definite advantage in warm weather. They cure concrete as well as solvent-based sealers without darkening the concrete’s surface.

What is the best product to seal concrete?

  • The best product depends on what type of concrete project you’re sealing, where it’s located, and the finish you want. Penetrating sealers penetrate the surface of the concrete, which protects against moisture and chemicals — ideal for driveways, patios, and sidewalks. Acrylic sealers form a thin, protective shield and are ideal for decorative concrete projects. Water-based sealants are the best choice for indoor projects because of little or no VOC content.

Which sealers are best for high heat areas?

  • When working in high heat locations, read the technical data for the particular product type you need. Blister and bubble issues are less likely with a water-based sealer. Choose a sealer that has a wider temperature application range. Avoid windy days and apply early in the morning to avoid spider webbing and “cotton candy” strings.
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