Silicates: Penetrating sealers, usually densifiers, that chemically react with the concrete forming calcium silicate hydrate to fill in all voids, pores and tracts. Sodium , lithium and potassium are the most popular carriers of silicate. Best sealers for densifying, dust-proofing and hardening concrete. Indefinite protection.
SIlicate/Siliconates: Blended sealers that encompass all of the densifying benefits of a silicate with the waterproofing characteristics of a siliconate sealer. The siliconate molecules react at the surface with the carbon dioxide in the air forming a hydrophobic barrier. Sodium, lithium and potassium are the most common carriers of silicate/siliconates. Best sealers for densifying, dust-proofing, hardening and waterproofing concrete. Indefinite protection.
Silane/Siloxanes: Blended sealers that also form a hydrophobic barrier on the surface of the concrete that offer excellent water repellency. A water beading effect is a result of this type of sealer. Best sealers for sealing and protecting concrete blocks, cinderblocks, stucco and very porous concrete. 10 years of protection before needing another application
Acrylics: Topical sealers usually water based or solvent based (low sheen and high gloss respectively) that seal concrete and repel water. Most commonly used as decorative sealers on concrete, stone, brick and masonry. Acrylics need to be reapplied quite frequently. 1-5 years of protection before needing another application.
Epoxies/Urethanes/Polyaspartics: Durable coatings that are usually applied in conjunction as part of an epoxy system. Usually consisting of a base coat, build coat and top coat with or with out decorative sand or paint chips. Excellent chemical resistance, UV and abrasion resistance properties. The toughest grade of sealers lasting about 10 years before needing another application.
When it comes to most things in life you are looking for long lasting, durable solutions. When it comes to concrete sealers and concrete coatings you are looking for the same. Most sealers on the market need to be reapplied frequently. Acrylic sealers are known for this, needing to be reapplied on an almost yearly basis. Coatings like epoxies and urethanes tend to last longer up to an average of ten years. There is more of an investment put out up front but with the chemical resistance and abrasion resistance properties gained with an epoxy/urethane system it is well worth the expenditure.
After perusing the internet, I am sure you have seen some companies offering lifetime warranties on their products. The products they are most likely warrantying are penetrating concrete densifiers. The reason they can offer these types of warranties is because silicate densifiers penetrate into the concrete causing a chemical reaction to occur below the surface of the concrete. Concrete is permanently strengthened and hardened. However, if a company is offering a lifetime warranty on a waterproofing sealer I would be skeptical. Silane/Siloxane sealers typically last 5 years before needing to be reapplied. As soon as the water beading effect starts to fade you know it is time to apply another coat.
Our Take: All in all concrete sealers are durable solutions to seal, densify, harden, waterproof and coat concrete. Some sealers last longer than others and some companies offer excellent warranties to back their products so you cannot lose even if they don’t perform as advertised.
When getting ready to purchase a concrete sealer there are many factors to consider. Application, longevity, quality, strength, durability and last but not least price. Concrete sealers are sold at a variety of price points but there are a few factors to consider before buying the cheapest priced sealer out there.
Active ingredients are important: is the sealer latex based or acrylic based? If so these sealers are usually cheaper but are not always the best products to use on concrete. Is the sealer a silane/siloxane? If so it is probably more expensive but will be the most effective on concrete blocks and cinderblocks. Silicates tend to be similarly manufactured in either sodium, lithium and potassium form. When it comes to choosing a silicate densifier look for one that will give you the most bang for your buck.
You also have to be aware if the sealer is concentrated or not. You may think you are not paying a lot for a sealer but in fact, it could be heavily diluted with water. We prefer concentrated sealers. Not only are you getting the sealer in its natural manufactured state, but you are not paying to ship water.
Our Take: Concentrated sealer brands we like are Supreme Crete and Ghostshield.
Every house has a kitchen and every kitchen usually has countertops. Granite and Formica are commonly used countertop compositions. Concrete countertops on the other hand are newer, making a rise being cost effective and aesthetically pleasing. Since concrete is so porous and since concrete countertops need to be protected from water, and household acidic substances, sealing them should be a priority.
The best type of countertop sealer is a topical yet penetrating solution. You want to protect the full thickness of the counter and especially the top of the counter from wear and use. You want to make sure you use a sealer that is specifically designed for use on countertops. I would try to stay away from a company who is claiming their floor or wall sealer will be effective on countertops. Look for a manufacturer who specialized in concrete countertop sealers.
Epoxies and urethanes can be used on a countertop in conjunction with metallic sand or decorative paint chips, yet we have found this process to be time consuming. However if this is the type of finish you are looking for epoxy and urethanes especially designed for countertops are the way to go.
If you are looking for a natural finish, the penetrating topical solution will be your best bet. Used in conjunction with a concrete wax, applied regularly, a shine rivaling granite countertops is achieved.
Our Take: For a natural finish Countertop Sealer 660 is one of the most advanced solutions while enCounter offers excellent epoxy/urethane countertop sealers.
With a multitude of concrete sealing options available on the market it can be extremely difficult choosing not only the correct product for your application but the correct brand of product for your application. There are hundreds of companies claiming to all sell the best products with guaranteed warranties and added this and added that. That is why being an informed consumer and reading independent review sites is the best way to make an informed decision.
Sealers for concrete is not a new concept or theory. Since the early 1900’s concrete sealers have been used to seal and prevent common concrete mild and mildew problems. There are companies who have been in business since then and are still selling the same formulations. Let me ask you something, do you really want to use a product that has not been updated to keep up with the times?
Quality and attention to detail is an extremely important yet overlooked factor when it comes to choosing a concrete sealer. With today’s ‘industrial grade’ concrete sealers being sold over the internet a website is an important, yet overlooked indication of quality. A companies logo, branding, website and labeling can tell a lot about a company. If it is something that looks like it was just thrown together, it probably was. If a company is successful and goes the extra mile and spends time on their website and their branding, just imagine the quality and the attention to detail that goes into their sealer formulations. Now this may not always be the case, there can be some fantastic products with a lack of creative marketing. However, as a general rule if you are successful and have had continued success you are going to want to create the easiest, friendliest materials and site experience for the end user to showcase and share your products with the world.