The Glaze-N-Seal Multipurpose Sealer offers an adequate level of surface protection for your more delicate and decorative concrete surfaces. The sealer itself is an acrylic sealer, meaning it is made up of large particles of acrylic sealer that will not penetrate past the surface of the concrete, as would a silicate. Instead, the particles of sealant will remain on the surface of the concrete upon application, waiting for the person applying the concrete sealer to evenly spread over the surface of the concrete.
When spread properly, acrylic sealers will bond to the concrete substrate to help repel water from entering the concrete and causing potential damage. The Glaze-N-Seal offering is a water-based sealer that will result in a mild gloss. If you prefer a matte, or more natural looking surface, then you should opt for a different choice. However, the water-based nature of the concrete will help conform with various environmental laws and regulations dealing with VOC contents in states like California, New York, and New Jersey.
That being said, it isn’t as safe for personal application as some other acrylic water-based sealers. The Glaze-N-Seal product contains ammonia, which will result in a hazardous odor. It is also not really acceptable for indoor applications, as the fumes can be potentially harmful with prolonged exposure. Aside from these concerns, the Glaze-N-Seal Multipurpose Sealer is a perfect acceptable choice for a water-based concrete surface sealer, though we have certainly reviewed stronger, more cost-effective products.
The SealMaster Concrete Sealer is an acrylic surface sealer that is meant for decorative concrete and other, more delicate concrete slabs. As an acrylic sealer, it will not penetrate within the concrete slab, as will a penetrating sealer. This makes it less long-lasting, but also more appropriate for specific projects. You could not, for instance, use a penetrating sealer on a driveway or pool deck made of pavers – instead, you would need to use an acrylic sealer like the SealMaster Concrete Sealer.
The SealMaster sealer is a water-based product that is a 100% acrylic solution pre-mixed with water. It promises to dry clear and protect concrete from penetration through the surface of water, debris, and dirt. However, an acrylic sealer cannot truly offer guaranteed protection from surface penetration. Where a penetrating sealer will chemically react to lock out those intruders, an acrylic sealer is more like a raincoat: the water will bead and roll off at first, but the water will seep into the concrete with too much prolonged exposure.
The SealMaster Concrete Sealer is an adequate and average product offering protection for your more delicate concrete products. It is not as chemically harmful as other products, and it offers an average coverage of 200 to 300 square feet per gallon (depending, of course, on your particular project).
The Formula One lithium silicate concrete densifier manufactured by Scofield is a penetrating concrete sealer that will also densify your concrete. The densification is actually the fundamental purpose of the product, as that process will also lock out water and increase the longevity of your concrete.
The Fomula One Lithium Silicate Concrete Densifier works by transporting small particles of silicate suspended in a lithium carrier past the surface pores natural to concrete. Once inside the concrete, the silicate particles will react chemically with free alkalis and other minerals present within the concrete. The reactions will produce calcium silicate hydrate, or CSH, which will help block up pores and hairline cracks within the concrete, leading to a denser, stronger product.
The Scofield product is a high solids solution that is shipped in its concentrated form. This is a great quality for any concrete sealer, as the consumer needs only to mix the product with water according to the directions in order to have the strongest solution they need. It saves the consumer money and time, all while helping provide the best level of protection. The Scofield offering is of a high quality, as their product is marketed as not producing efflorescence while potentially contributing to LEED points for your company due to their VOC-free product. If you need a lithium silicate densifier, the Scofield product is one of the better choices.
The Prosoco Saltguard, manufactured by Prosoco, is a general-purpose silane/siloxane sealer that promises to resist water and the incursion of harmful salts and chlorides. The Saltguard is actually specifically manufactured and designed to protect your concrete from erosion from salts.
Overexposure to salts and chlorides is especially a problem in places with harsh winters. In the winter, the roads become icy and slippery due to snow and ice. Plow trucks, in addition to plowing away snow, also lay down large quantities of salt in most areas. As your car drives along roads in the winter, the tires pick up a lot of that salt, tracking it back into your driveway and garage. Once here, that salt can melt off with the snow, dripping onto the floor where it can seep into your concrete and cause structural damage.
Salt corrosion can also be a problem in places where the concrete is supported by rebar. The rebar, made of metal, can rust and corrode quickly, gravely threatening your structures. A silane/siloxane sealer like the Saltguard will help lock out that salt from the surface of the concrete. With a mixture of particles of silane and siloxane at work, the concrete will be protected from within and on the surface. The Saltguard can be applied to horizontal surfaces, as well as vertical ones, making it great for floors and walls. Additionally, the Saltguard is a great choice if you live in a coastal area, whether or not you have harsh winters. The salt from the ocean can also corrode your concrete over time, and applications of the Saltguard will help lessen the damage.
The LiON Hard sealer manufactured by L&M Construction Chemicals is one of the few lithium silicate sealers on the market. A lithium silicate sealer is a penetrating sealer filled with small particles of silicate transported by lithium carriers suspended in water. These particles, when applied to the surface of a concrete slab, will penetrate through the tiny pores lining the surface to react chemically within the concrete. These chemical reations will dustproof, densify, and lock out water from the concrete, ensuring lasting longevity.
The LiON Hard sealer is a VOC free product, making it safe for both the environment and your own application. The harmful fumes that plague solvent-based products are not as much of a concern here, as the water-based nature of the LiON Hard sealer makes it a lower risk. It follows a typical regimen of application following the surface preparation, making it a relatively easy-to-apply formula.
While the LiON Hard is an excellent example of a lithium silicate sealer, the biggest problem is that it is not shipped in a concentrated form. Because the LiON Hard sealer is pre-mixed, you really cannot be sure of the ratios of silicate particles to water. With a concentrated product, it is easy to mix it yourself, thereby knowing for sure what the ratios are.