The ever popular acrylic sealers dominate the market with claims of waterproofing, sealing, coating, and decorating. So what really is an acrylic concrete sealer good for? Acrylic sealers are topical solutions that are best known for giving a beautiful decorative high gloss shine or low sheen luster. Common applications include but are not limited to patios, driveways and pavers. The only problem with acrylic sealers is their longevity and their frequency to peel, flake and chip off.
When looking for a good acrylic sealer it is recommended to go with a water based version. Even though solvent based acrylics can last longer, they have a high VOC content, with noxious fumes that will not pass regulations in states like California. Water based versions are safer, and by reapplying them every 1-2 years they will last equally as long as their solvent based counterparts.
Good acrylics will also hold up to UV light without yellowing, fading or peeling from the suns heat. Good acrylics will not peel, flake or scratch and will even be able to hold up to salt, wind driven rain and they will be water repellent all while beautifying concrete. Common applications for acrylic sealers are usually exterior pavers, driveways and patios. Be careful not to use a high gloss variation on a pool deck since they can become extremely slippery.
Our Take: Acrylic sealers that last longer and hold up better than others on the market include Cryli-Tek 5500, Everclear VOX, and Decra-Seal WB
So what exactly is an epoxy coating good for? Well for starters have you ever seen a chip floor system? Have you ever seen a floor that holds up extremely well to chemicals, abrasions, and UV exposure? All of these scenarios most likely used an epoxy coating. Epoxies have been used for many years and are commonly applied to garages, warehouses, food preparation kitchens etc. because of their strength to withstand many solvents and chemicals.
Often used in conjunction with vinyl paint chip flakes and urethane top coats epoxies are a fantastic concrete sealing option. One of the downsides of an epoxy is the lengthy cure time. Taking upwards of 7 days to allow heavy traffic can definitely impact a project or large construction job. The most common use for an epoxy is as a primer in a high build floor system. The epoxy is usually first applied as a primer, then another epoxy is used as a base coat ending with a urethane top coat . The use of the three products together builds up the floor to a thick mill for added protection from wear, abrasion and chemicals. Often times epoxies come in clear and colored varieties allowing for decorative finishes with metallic sand or paint chips.
Our Take: Epoxies are excellent primers and coatings for garages we recommend New Look Epoxy, Epoxy 325 and West Coat Epoxy Coat
One of the largest problems homeowners, contractors and industry professionals face is water, moisture and vapor transmission issues. There are thousands of sealers on the market that claim to waterproof, repel water and prevent moisture but which products actually live up to their claims? Water repellents are usually classified as products that repel water, sounds simple enough. But what makes a good water repellent is the formula, type of sealer high percentage of solids.
Products that are excellent water repellents are silane/siloxane based formulas. Silane/Siloxanes are a blend of two different types of sealers: silanes and siloxanes. What makes a silane/siloxane so appealing is the difference in molecular size and the blend of smaller and larger particles. If the sealer is an industrial grade formula water will also bead and you will be able to visually see the formula working before your eyes. When looking for a silane/siloxane look for a high percentage formula. 20% and 40% silane/siloxanes are optimal and the best solutions for concrete water repellency. If you have ever had problems with concrete blocks or cinder blocks a silane/siloxane is the product to use. When sealing bricks or masonry a silane/siloxane is the product to use. When looking for a water repellent a silane/siloxane is the product to use.
Some tested products that have been proven effective are: Okon S-40, Siloxa-Tek 8500 and Enviroseal 40
What is the difference between a concrete sealer and a concrete coating? Generally speaking a concrete sealer is a penetrating formulation or a lighter topical solution that either seeps into the concrete or is suspended on the surface. Concrete sealers are usually classified as acrylic sealers, silicate sealers and silane/siloxane formulations. A concrete coating on the other hand sits on the surface of the concrete and builds up and protects through the layers of coatings. Concrete coatings are usually classified as epoxies, urethanes and polyaspartics.
Concrete Sealers:
- Silicates: penetrating sealers in either a sodium, lithium or potassium carrier that seep into the concrete, chemically react to form calcium silicate hydrate and thus densifying.
- Silane/Siloxanes: water repellents that form a hydrophobic barrier to seals out moisture while chemically bonding with the substrate.
- Acrylics: water based or solvent based decorative sealers that enhance the surface and repels water.
Concrete Coatings:
- Epoxies: coating used to prime or coat concrete to stop dusting, add chemical resistance and abrasion resistance properties.
- Urethanes: coating usually applied on top of an epoxy to add additional protection from chemicals, wear and UV rays.
- Polyaspartics: fast drying urethanes applied on top of an epoxy with a faster tack free dry time
Concrete sealer and concrete coatings manufacturers: Kretetek, Stone Technologies, Eagle Sealer, H&C, LMCC, Moxie, New Look, Okon, Prosoco, Scofield, V Seal,
When it comes to garages and warehouses they require a tougher, durable, chemically resistant coating. Urethanes, especially aliphatic urethanes, are stronger, more chemically resistant, UV resistant and have a higher abrasion resistance. If you have an industrial warehouse and you decide that you need to seal it you have two options: a concrete densifier or a urethane coating. Concrete densifiers are excellent choices if you need to harden, dust-proof and increase the abrasion resistance of a warehouse. However if you need extra chemical resistance you need an aliphatic urethane coating.
Urethanes are easy to apply and can last up to ten years if you follow all of the proper precautions and instructions. The first step you need to take when applying an aliphatic urethane is to grind the existing concrete surface. By grinding the concrete you are creating a tougher surface for the products to adhere to so it will not scratch or peel after application. After grinding the concrete you need to mix Part A components to Part B components and apply using a squeegee. By using the squeegee you can elongate the coverage and it allows for the proper mil coverage. After squeegeeing you need to back roll the surface and then let the Urethane dry for 3-5 days to completely set.
Our Take: Urethane coatings that have held up the best for the longest time period are Urethane 645, Superior Industries Aliphatic Urethane , and APF’s Polyurethane 250 High Performance Concrete Sealer.