What Concrete Sealer Should You Use?

Concrete is a common material used for a wide variety of purposes for both residential and commercial projects. Its strength and low cost have made it one of the most common building materials.

For residential projects, concrete is probably most commonly used for home foundations. However, there are many other ways to use it. Concrete can be applied for garage flooring, driveways, patios, fireplaces and even as furniture, like a kitchen island.

For its commercial uses, concrete can be utilized for many different projects, from bridges to wind turbines to underground use in sewers and culverts.

By itself, concrete is a strong material with impressive longevity. However, you can do even more to get the most out of your concrete — use a sealer. There are many advantages to using a sealer with your concrete, and you have several options available that will allow you to find the right one for the job.

What Is Concrete Sealer and Why Should I Use It?

Using a sealer with your next concrete project will allow you to reap even more benefits than just using concrete on its own. A concrete sealer is applied after the concrete’s curing process is completely finished. The curing process takes about 28 days, or the recommended time per the type of concrete that you used, so schedule your sealer application accordingly.

Like the curing process, the sealer will need a period of time following application to completely dry. Sealer must also be applied in dry conditions.

When applied correctly, a sealer will give you many benefits. First, it will increase the longevity of your concrete. The increased lifespan occurs because a sealer helps prevent damage like cracking. Sealer is especially helpful in places that are placed under more stress, like walkways and driveways.

Even for lower-stressed concrete structures, like a fireplace inside a home, the structure would still benefit from a sealer. Your kids may play near the fireplace and could drop items around it. Without a seal, that situation could make chips in the concrete. With a protective layer, your concrete structures will last much longer. With less damage, you’ll have to do fewer repairs and maintenance on these structures.

As a result, using a sealer could save you money in the long run. Concrete is known for its durability, but it still needs proper care. When you don’t use a sealer, you may have to pay for repairs to keep your concrete in good shape. Instead, you can take the right steps to make sure it’ll be longer before you need to complete repairs. Concrete is strong and useful for a wide variety of projects. When you finish the job with a sealer, you can get even more out of your structure.

What Types of Sealers Are There?

There are three main types of concrete sealers:

• Topical sealers: These solutions add a decorative element to your concrete but don’t give as much protection to it as other types of sealers. Topical sealers will protect your concrete from sun, rain, mold and mildew. Acrylic and matte are two popular types. An acrylic sealer will give your concrete a bit of a shine while a matte sealer will give it a more flat look.
• Surface sealers: These options are used for those high-traffic places, like a sidewalk. Epoxies and urethanes are surface sealers. An epoxy sealer will resist water and create a great deal of protection from scratches and other abrasions. If you still want a decorated look from your concrete, you could get an epoxy sealer in a pigmented or clear form. Urethane sealers are similar to topical acrylic sealers — they create a similar shine but are twice as thick. They’ll offer much more protection than an acrylic sealer.
• Penetrating sealer: The last type is the penetrating sealer. Unlike topical and surface sealers, this type goes below the surface of the concrete. Silicates are one type of penetrating sealer, for example. This type is the right pick for outdoor structures that face a lot of exposure to natural forces like rain, wind and snow. As a result, it’s the most useful sealer for most commercial concrete uses.

Which Sealer Should I Pick?

The type of sealer you decide on comes down to one simple question: Is protection or aesthetic the more important factor? Whether the concrete structure is indoors or outdoors should also be considered.

If you have a kitchen island made of concrete, you may simply wish to change its color and finish. A topical or surface sealer would be the right pick for that job. If you know that the concrete structure will face a lot of wear and tear, a penetrating sealer will make the concrete stronger, give it increased protection and help it last longer.

For more information about our concrete services, please contact us today!