Appropriate sealers are integral to any decorative concrete resurfacing project. Most of them are versatile, which means they are used permanently or temporarily.
Generally, all sealers extend the concrete’s life. Some enhance their aesthetic value by preventing moisture damage, scratches, abrasions, spills, thaw, and more.
Even if the surface gets worn after years of exposure to traffic and the weather, a good cleaning and a new coat of sealer can often bring it back to its original beauty.
Concrete sealing San Diego ensures that there is a type of sealer that fits best to the different areas of your home. Therefore, we are giving you a list of concrete sealers’ types, functions, finishes, and performance to assist you further.
Silane sealers
The application for silane concrete sealer is labour-intensive and requires multiple thick coats.
It aids in achieving durability, with the potential for 8 years of security. However, silane concrete sealers tend to darken the surfaces due to multiple thick coatings, changing the appearance from its original state.
As a result, they are employed only when the primary goals are optimal durability and security. Concrete masonry structures like parking garages and exterior retaining walls use this type of sealer.
Silicone sealers
Silicone concrete sealer keeps surfaces safe while they dry as a temporary sealant.
Unlike silane sealer, silicone often requires reapplication. As a result, it is primarily used in temporary places like concrete walls to stop graffiti or other vertical surfaces that get dirty quickly.
It works marvels to preserve the concrete’s natural appearance by penetrating deeply into the surface. Silicone sealants are highly recommended if maintaining the surfaces’ aesthetic value is a top priority.
However, they aren’t a good option for surfacing a horizontal surface or outdoor concrete flooring because they do not protect the concrete from ultraviolet rays.
Penetrating sealers
Penetrating sealers produce a chemical reaction within the concrete’s pores to create a barrier against rainwater or de-icing chemicals from the concrete, allowing moisture to evaporate quickly.
With that, it becomes an excellent choice for protecting exposed concrete from the potentially damaging effects of staining, erosion, ultraviolet radiation, weather, and temperature extremes.
Their invisibility means they can protect concrete without altering its aesthetic. It is a type of sealer used to achieve a natural matte finish. It is advantageous since it does not leave a shiny film on the concrete, making outdoor areas like walkways, driveways, and patios last longer.
Acrylics
Acrylic sealers create a thin shield layer on the surface of the concrete. Even though acrylic sealer is lighter than other types of concrete sealer, nothing can still pass through the cracks.
It is one of the most versatile sealers since it is available as both water-based and solvent-based. In addition, acrylics, particularly solvent-based, improve the concrete’s colour, whether stamped or stained. Not only that, but it is applicable both indoors and outdoors.
It is best used when efficiency and cost-effectiveness are essential. Therefore, best if your project is under budget and fast-paced since it dries quickly within an hour.
Polyurethanes
Compared to acrylic concrete sealer, polyurethane sealer is significantly thicker. It provides a robust defence against erosion and chemicals by forming a dense protective film on the surface.
It guarantees long life, and to highlight, it keeps the surface from turning yellow. The finish can have a subtle sheen to a high gloss, and it protects against stains and scratches. Like acrylic, polyurethane sealers can be either solvent or water-based.
Polyurethane sealers are frequently applied to concrete countertops and high-traffic concrete roads to increase durability and resistance to stains and scuffs. They work wonderfully for decorative concrete and are applicable indoors or out.
They can also be used on concrete that has been stamped, coloured, or left exposed. They have a possible lifespan of 4-8 years before requiring recoating.
Epoxies
Epoxy sealers leave a robust, long-lasting, and abrasion-resistant layer on the concrete’s surface as a thick protective film.
They’re also brilliantly effective as a water-resistant barrier, and the floor would be shielded from wear and tear and increased traffic. In a similar vein, by incorporating an anti-slip aggregate, they can be repurposed as garage floors or factory surfaces.
Compared to acrylics, epoxy sealers are more durable and are highly recommended for use on concrete countertops and other kitchen surfaces. Epoxies are used not only for concrete countertops but also for cement-based materials.
Epoxies are used for flake and metallic flooring in hospitals and schools for industrial purposes and as a solvent and abrasion-resistant floor coating. Epoxies are used as a coating in industrial and hygiene settings that experience extreme wear and require frequent cleaning.
Adding colour pigments to epoxy sealers is also simple, and the resulting glossy surface is perfect for any design. Putting a glossy epoxy finish on decorative floors brings out the best in your house.
Polyaspartic sealer
Recently, a miraculous new concrete floor coating known as polyaspartic sealer—also called polyaspartic polyurea—was introduced with incredible benefits. It fixes problems with every other type of concrete sealer.
Like all significant sealers, it has wide application in places that demand rapid turnarounds, such as research facilities, factories, households, and retail establishments. It also forms a seamless bond with any concrete surface and provides exceptional protection against UV rays and stains.
Its seamlessness means bubble-free surfaces, even at high humidity, which is usually associated with bubbling. The cover is ultra-clear, making it impervious to stains from even the heaviest substances, such as oils, fats, and red wine.
It dries or cures in 30 minutes at room temperature and can withstand temperatures from -30 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thanks to its low viscosity, polyaspartic sealer has excellent wetting properties. A single coat can produce a film build of up to 18 mils. They can have 100% solids, so they release no or few volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when applied.
Exterior polyaspartic sealers can also be used on interior concrete, but traction aid must be provided in the latter case, which may add up to its cost.
What Concrete Sealer Is Best For You?
Any concrete sealer’s goal is to allow for temperature changes, seal cracks, and keep the concrete’s original colour intact. It holds for sealing any hard surface, be it a driveway, floor, basement, or pool deck.
Keep in mind the qualities of a high-quality sealer for concrete floors, which are the following:
- It lengthens the floor’s durability.
- It keeps the ground looking its best
- It enhances protection against scratches and spills
- It stops condensation and its attendant issues
Studying the given various sealers available is necessary before making a decision. This is because, despite sharing similar objectives, different approaches to the application work better for each of them. Lastly, contact professional concrete sealers for the best outcomes.