A silicate, is a silicate, is a silicate. A sealer is a carrier for the silicate to penetrate into the concrete. Once the silicate chemically reacts with the concrete to form CSH (Calcium Silicate Hydrate) within the pores, there is no more “sealer” left. All that is left is the hardened CSH structure.

There will be a few things that vary one manufacturer to the next, and that will be the % solids. Some manufacturers will carry a concentrated form (around 30% solids) which will be diluted with water and applied at a 7-10% solids solution, which is perfect. That is ideal for the application of a silicate. Other manufacturers will sell a prediluted solution. In both scenarios. the same % solids formula is applied to the concrete.

This is one of those products where more solids in NOT better. The silicate needs to be applied at a 7-10% solution in order for it to properly react. If you apply it at too high of a solids you will end up with a hardened sheet of glass on the surface. If you dilute it more, you will end up with a poor reaction.

The primary use of a silicate should be to increase the surface strength of the concrete. While the CSH structure will reduce the movement of water and moisture through the pores, it won’t cause water to bead off the surface and will come of little help in preventing mold and mildew growth. For that, you would need a silane-siloxane sealer.

Best Silicate Sealers:

• Armor S2000 – Concentrated sodium silicate solution. 1 gallon of S2000 is diluted with 3 gallons of water to make 4 gallons. Total cost for 4 gallons: $64.95 which brings the cost down to $16.23/gallon.
• Scofield – Pre-diluted sodium silicate. No price listed.
• Eagle – Pre-diluted sodium silicate. $19.97 plus shipping per gallon.