Concrete sealer compounds are available in varied options in the market, and that makes it hard to choose the best out of it. Choosing the right concrete sealer compounds for your indoor space requires basic knowledge of different types of concrete sealers that are available in the market.
Whether the objective is to seal the driveway or floor or basement or a pool deck, the primary aim of every concrete sealer is to accommodate temperature changes, sealing of cracks, and preservation of concrete color.
This article is an attempt to help choose the best concrete sealer for a given project.
Requirements of a Good Concrete Sealer
A good concrete floor sealer has the following properties:
- Increases the life of the floor
- Preserves the appearance of the floor
- Increases resistance to scuffs and stains
- Prevents moisture penetration and related problems
Types of Concrete Sealers
The primary classification of concrete sealer compounds is:
- Topical Sealers or film-forming sealers or Surface concrete sealers
- Penetrating Sealers
The topical sealers create a protective film on the surface to prevent moisture, wear, and tear. The three main types of topical sealers are Acrylic sealers, urethanes, and epoxies.
Penetrating or impregnating sealers prevent the concrete surface from chemical damage. It makes the surface more resistant to organic material while allowing the surface to breathe.
Application of Different Concrete Sealers
Concrete sealers have their application in indoor space and exterior space. The table-1 below enlists the various projects that require concrete sealer and the best choice for each project.
| Sl.No | Type of Project | Best Choice of Concrete Sealer Compound |
| 1 | Indoor Flooring | Epoxy or Acrylic Sealers |
| 2 | Garage and High traffic floors | Epoxy Concrete Sealers |
| 3 | Residential concrete floors and basements | Softer Acrylic Sealers |
| 4 | Stamped concrete | Solvent or water-based acrylic sealers |
| 5 | Driveways | Acrylic resin-based sealers or Sealers made of silicone, siloxane and silane resins |
| 6 | Patio | Solvent or water-based acrylic |
| 7 | Exposed Aggregate Sealer | Acrylic Resins-film forming |
| 8 | Concrete Countertop Sealers | Heavy-duty sealer-Polyaspartic sealers |
Tips while Selecting Concrete Sealers
- Choose a film-forming sealer if the requirement is to enhance the glossy finish of the concrete surface.
- Choose a penetrating or impregnating sealer to get a natural finish look to the concrete.
- Choose acrylic sealers, either solvent-based or water-based, to seal stamped concrete. It is found to be more economical, breathable, and allows the escape of moisture from the surface. It also prevents reactions with UV rays and yellowing of the surface.
- Solvent-based acrylic has more penetration compared to water-based for outdoor sealing.
- The driveway sealers are chosen mainly based on the objective. For safety concerns, a penetrating sealer is perfect, as it won't make the surface slippery. If the appearance of the driveway is of prime importance, topical sealers come in different gloss level ( a value from 1 to 100, where the highest gloss level is 100)
- The sealer varies if the concrete surface is an old one, a new one, or already sealed. There are special sealers made exclusively for old or new surfaces. A surface that already has a sealer must be scraped off and applied with the new one.
- Some sealers consist of harmful volatile organic compounds that are released into the atmosphere when dried. There are standard limits of VOC to be present in a sealer(As per the country standards). Always select sealers based on this limit.
- Water-based sealers are considered less harsh and have the least amount of VOCs. Most of these sealers are environmentally friendly and comply with the LEED principle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right concrete sealer compounds for your indoor space requires basic knowledge of different types of concrete sealers that are available in the market.
There are mainly two types of sealers, namely Topical sealers and penetrating sealers. The topical sealers create a protective film on the surface to prevent moisture, wear, and tear. The three main types of topical sealers are Acrylic sealers, urethanes, and epoxies.
Penetrating or impregnating sealers prevent the concrete surface from chemical damage. It makes the surface more resistant to organic material while allowing the surface to breathe.
Based on the objective of the surface, the sealer is chosen.
Use a topical or a film-forming sealer, if the requirement is to enhance the glossy finish of the concrete surface.
A penetrating or impregnating sealer is used to get a natural finish look to the concrete—best sealer to protect the surface without providing glossy finish and skid resistance.
The driveway sealers are chosen mainly based on the objective. For safety concerns, a penetrating sealer is perfect, as it won't make the surface slippery. If the appearance of the driveway is prime importance, topical sealers come in different gloss level ( a value from 1 to 100, Where the highest gloss level is 100)
Some sealers consist of harmful volatile organic compounds that are released into the atmosphere when dried. There are standard limits of VOC to be present in a sealer ( As per the country standards). Always select sealers based on this limit.
Water-based sealers are considered less harsh and have the least amount of VOCs. Most of these sealers are environmentally friendly and comply with the LEED principle.
Read More: Water Versus Solvent Based Concrete Sealers