Stamped concrete is typically sealed with a penetrating Silane-Siloxane sealer or an acrylic sealer. The best stamped concrete sealer for your stamped concrete will depend on what you want the stamped concrete too look like once sealed, and your reason for sealing.
| Silane Siloxane Concrete Sealers | Acrylic Concrete Sealers |
| Won’t change the look of the concrete | Enahnces with a wet look or gloss |
| Works entirely below the surface | Leaves a visible surface film |
| Lasts 7-10 years | Lasts 1-5 years |
| Repels surface water | Protects surface against staining |
| Reduces staining and deterioration | Stops dusting, staining, deterioration |
| Can be used on interior/exterior concrete | Can be used on interior/exterior concrete |
One of the largest differences between the two types of sealers is that silane-siloxane sealers won’t change the look or color of the concrete and acrylic sealers will. Stamped concrete sealed with a silane siloxane sealer will look exactly as it did before being sealed, natural; stamped concrete sealed with an acrylic sealer will have a wet look, low gloss, or high gloss finish.
Silane Siloxane Sealers for Stamped Concrete
Silane-siloxane sealers are great to use if:
- You want to protect the stamped concrete without changing the look or color of the concrete.
- You want to maintain the natural, unsealed look of the stamped concrete.
Silane-Siloxane sealers will help to reduce the absorption of water on the surface, therefore reducing damage and deterioration caused by that. Freeze-thaw damage, cracking, spalling, staining, mold and mildew, and efflorescence will all be reduced.
Best Silane Siloxane Sealers
- Armor SX5000 Concrete Sealer Review (average 4.8 star review)
- Siloxane PD Concrete Sealer Review (average 4.5 star review)
- DryWay Water Repellent Concrete Sealer Review (average 3.8 star review)
Acrylic Sealers for Stamped Concrete
Acrylic sealers are great to use if:
- You want to protect the color of the stamped concrete and prevent it from fadin
g. - Enhance or bring out any dull and faded coloring.
- Enhance the stamped concrete with a low or high gloss finish.
- Protect the concrete against damage, deterioration, and staining caused by water absorption and surface abrasion.
Acrylic sealers will help to enhance and protect stamped concrete because they leave behind a visible, protective surface film. As you can notice with the picture to the right (taken from FoundationArmor.com), acrylic sealers will help to dramatically enhance the look of stamped concrete.
There are a few different types of acrylic sealers but the most common are acrylic lacquer sealers and acrylic co-polymer sealers. Acrylic lacquers are used on fully cured concrete while acrylic co-polymers are typically used on new, uncured concrete (cure and seal). Both types of acrylic sealers will offer a nice low to high gloss finish.
Where acrylic sealers start to differ is in the their form. Water and solvent based acrylics both contain acrylic resins, but they differ greatly when it comes to look, repair, and maintenance.
| Water Based Acrylic Sealers | Solvent Based Acrylic Sealers |
| Won’t darken the concrete | Will darken the concrete |
| Repaired by screen sanding | Repaired with Xylene |
| Requires screen sanding before recoat | No prep required for recoat |
| Can’t add a non slip additive | Can add a non slip additive |
| No VOC | Low VOC |
Best Acrylic Sealers for Stamped Concrete:
- Eagle High Gloss Sealer (average 4.6 star review)
- Armor AR350 Wet Look Sealer (average 4.8 star review)
- Armor AR500 High Gloss Sealer (average 4.9 star review)
- Enduraseal SB Acrylic Sealer (average 4.5 star review)
