It’s fair to say that choosing the right concrete sealer can be confusing.
There’s a wide range of different brands, products, styles and finishes to choose from. The challenge? If you don’t know which concrete sealer to choose, you’re in danger of choosing the wrong one. That can mean a waste of your money, time, and even flakey or peeling surfaces!
So if you’re confused about which sealer to choose, then keep reading.
Because in the next 90 seconds you’re going to get crystal clear on –
- The only two types of sealers you need to know about; and…
- Which sealer you should use for your concrete project
But first, let’s start by answering an important question.
Why Do You Need to Seal Your Concrete?
While concrete is strong, it’s also porous and prone to damage.
Xianming Shi, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, recently said:
“Concrete, even though it seems like solid rock, is basically a sponge when you look at it under the microscope. It’s a highly porous composite material”
That means it’s easy for substances like water, dirt, salt, oil and other chemicals to get into your concrete and cause damage – leaving you with cracks, stains and ugly dull patches.
That’s why it’s important that you use a concrete sealer.
A quality concrete sealer protects your concrete for years, and many transform the look of it too. The problem is, different sealers offer different types of protection and finishes.
The type you choose should be based on your specific project.
Here’s a quick and easy way to choose the right sealer for your project.
The Only Two Groups of Concrete Sealers You Need to Know
You can simplify all concrete sealers down into two distinct groups:
- Penetrating concrete sealers: these sealers absorb into the concrete and block the pores mentioned. They prevent moisture from entering the concrete and don’t change its appearance.
- Film forming sealers: these sealers form a protective layer on the surface of the concrete. They’re used on exterior and interior concrete, and they leave a gloss-like finish.
When Should You Choose A Penetrating Concrete Sealer?
Typically, penetrating concrete sealers are used on exterior surfaces. They provide protection – even against high volume of traffic and harsh weather conditions – without changing the colour or appearance of your concrete.
That means they’re great for pool decks, sidewalks, concrete driveways, garage floors, patios, and exterior brick walls. Better yet, they’re easy to apply too – with either a roller, sprayer or solvent resistant broom.
Choose a penetrating concrete sealer when:
- You do NOT want to change the colour of your concrete
- You want to prevent water penetrating your concrete
- You want to protect your concrete against freeze/thaw damage
- You want to protect your concrete against salt and chemicals
- You want concrete protection without extra surface slip
When Should You Choose A Film Forming Sealer?
Film forming sealers are most often used when you want to add a decorative effect to your concrete. That’s because as well as acting as a barrier – protecting your concrete from moisture, stains, corrosion and chemicals – they also change the look of its finish.
It’s important to note, there are two types of film forming sealers .
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Film-Forming Subtype 1: Acrylic Based Sealer
You can use acrylic based sealers on both interior and exterior concrete.
They’re UV resistant, non-yellowing and will provide you with great protection against water and deicing chemicals. Plus, they come in a variety of colours and enhance the beauty of your stained or stamped concrete.
That means they’re a superb choice for basement floors, garage floors, driveways and exposed aggregate concrete
Choose an acrylic based sealer when:
- You want to enhance / change the colour of your concrete
- You want to protect your concrete from salt and moisture
- You want to create a gloss or ‘wet look’ to your concrete
- You want to enhance dull or faded concrete
Note: this type of sealer can leave your concrete more slippery than a penetrating sealer. If you’re going to use it in wet areas, you might want to combine it with a non-slip additive like this.
Film-Forming Subtype 2: Epoxy Sealers
Only use epoxy sealers on interior floors, projects and home improvements. It is not UV resistant and will yellow in the sunshine.
It does, however, completely seal the surface of your concrete. It stops substances like water, oil, gas, and other liquids from penetrating your concrete.
It also comes in a variety of colours and dries with a glossy finish.
That makes it a brilliant choice for shop floors, retail stores, auto-shops, garage floors, basement floors, countertops and kitchen surfaces.
One of our recent customers, Simon Wright, wrote:
“I used the light grey in my home garage and now it looks like a professional workshop!”
Choose an epoxy sealer when:
- You’re sealing concrete indoors
- You want to enhance / change the colour of your concrete
- You want the most durable, strongest and longest-lasting protection
- You want to hide small imperfections, scratches and scrapes
- You want to enhance dull or faded concrete
Like acrylic sealers, epoxy sealers can leave your concrete more slippery. If you’re going to use it in interior wet areas like your garage, combine it with a non-slip additive like this one.
The Bottom Line: Choose The Sealer Specific To Your Project Needs
Whether you’re thinking about a concrete sealer for your driveway, garage, new pool, kitchen worktops or workspace, it’s critical that you choose one specific to your project needs.
Consider factors like:
- Is my concrete exposed to sunlight?
- Do I want to change the colour / look of my concrete?
- What moisture, gas or other chemicals is my concrete exposed to?
- What kind of surface finish am I looking to achieve with my concrete?
You can either opt for a deep penetrating sealer which gives your concrete long-lasting protection, without changing its appearance.
Our penetrating sealer soaks deep into a variety of materials like natural stone, blue stone, concrete, brick and other construction materials, and gives your concrete full protection for up to ten years.
Or if you’d prefer to enhance the look of your concrete, while offering a durable layer of protection, then you should choose a film-forming sealer.
Our best-selling concrete sealer is perfect for your driveway, pathways and other high-traffic areas. It protects your concrete surface from UV light, traffic and dirt, and brings it to life with a semi-gloss “wet looks” finish.
Finally, if your concrete is indoors, and you want a heavy duty coating sealer that looks great and makes your surface easy to clean, then check out our epoxy sealer. You can buy it in a clear or coloured finish.
Still Unsure About Which Concrete Sealer To Choose?
No problem – try our solutions finder!
With over 25 years’ experience in concrete sealers, our team can recommend which sealer you should use for your specific project, without you having to pay for a professional contractor.
Making the right concrete sealer choice has never been easier!
