Concrete sidewalk sealers need to stand up to high abrasion, heavy foot traffic, and fluctuations in temperature and weather. They also need to retain their non slip properties so that when walked on, they don’t create a hazard.

There are two categories of sealers that can be used to seal a concrete sidewalk:

1. Silicate Sealers: Silicate sealers are very common in exterior applications. They do not offer any water repellency benefits but they will increase the strength of the concrete and provide it with an increased resistance to salt and water.
2. Silane-Siloxane Sealers: Silane-soloxane blend sealers work much differently than silicates. Silicates form CSH within the pores and work to densify the concrete. Silane-Siloxane blend sealers fill in the surface pores and create a hydrophobic barrier. When water, or other liquids, are spilled onto a surface sealed with a silane-siloxane, they will repel. Silane-siloxane sealers will stop 100% of water absorption on the surface and protect the concrete from salt damage, freeze thaw damage, and concrete spalling.

Manufacturer Spotlight

ConcreteSealersReviews.com: What is the easiest way to explain the difference between a sodium silicate and a silane-siloxane blend?
Foundation Armor: If water is spilled on concrete sealed with the Armor S2000 (sodium silicate) or Armor L3000 (lithium silicate), the concrete will absorb the water. If water is spilled on concrete sealed with the Armor SX5000 (high solids silane siloxane blend), it will sit on the surface and will NOT be absorbed into the surface of the concrete.

ConcreteSealersReviews.com: Which product is better for sealing sidewalks?
Foundation Armor: We always suggest the Armor SX5000 simply because the water repellency benefits protect the concrete from a variety of factors. Many contactor jobs however will spec out the Armor S2000 because they are looking for that increase in strength. A common solution, although not required, is to apply the Armor S2000 first followed by the Armor SX5000 three days later. This way you get an increase in strength AND protection from the repellency of water.