A concrete sealer is defined as a sealer that penetrates into the concrete and works entirely below the surface. Concrete sealers will not change the look or color of the concrete, nor will they change any of the surface characteristics. If you are looking for a product that will change the look or color of the concrete (wet look, satin sheen, high gloss, color) you will need a concrete coating.
Types of Concrete Sealers
There are two primary types of concrete sealers:
- Concrete Densifier: Concrete Densifiers chemically react with the concrete to form CSH within the pores. There are sodium and lithium silicates – both work to product the same end result. Densifiers should only be used if there is a concern with the surface strength of the concrete, or in a polishing application. Silicates will not cause water to bead off the surface and offer little protection from salt, snow or ice.
- Water Repellent: Water repellent sealers (high solids silane siloxanes) will chemically react below the surface to form a hydrophobic barrier within the pores. Silane siloxane sealers will cause water and other liquids to bead off the surface and offer protection from snow, salt, ice, spalling, staining, mold and mildew.
Concrete Applications
- Garage Floor: Water repellent sealer, aliphatic polyurethane coating, epoxy coating, acrylic lacquer coating
- Concrete Driveway: Water repellent sealer or acrylic lacquer coating
- Concrete Sidewalk: Water repellent sealer or acrylic lacquer coating
- Concrete Floor: Water repellent sealer, aliphatic polyurethane coating, epoxy coating, acrylic lacquer coating
- Pool Deck: Water repellent sealer or acrylic lacquer coating
- Stamped Concrete: Water repellent sealer or acrylic lacquer coating
- Pavers: Water repellent sealer or acrylic lacquer coating
- Brick: Water repellent sealer
