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Concrete Sealers

Start with the application; then make your choice
There is a sealer for just about every concrete application — horizontal and vertical, as well as concrete pavers, masonry, stucco, unglazed tile, natural stone, manufactured stone and brick.

However, “there is no one sealer that can be used for all applications,” Livingston points out. He suggests you ask yourself many questions before selecting or specifying a sealer.

For example: Are you concerned about UV resistance? Abrasion resistance? Moisture, stains or chemicals? What are your state and local regulations regarding solvent-based products? Is there vegetation nearby the project that might be damaged by solvent-based products? How long will the sealer last? Does the manufacturer provide a warranty?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “Sealers and coatings require an educated experienced installer to successfully select and ultimately install,” explains Donaldson. “It is important to have a close relationship with the manufacturer and have all the required variables brought to the table before selecting and installing a sealer or coating system. As a beginner the easier-to-install systems usually consist of acrylic-based or one-component systems. These are a good stepping stone to eventually move into the multi-component, harder, more chemical- and wear-resistant systems.”

Doug Carlton, owner of Carlton Concrete Co. in Visalia, Calif., says that while sealers can be a difficult area to grasp, it is an area that contractors should thoroughly explore. “I believe a contractor should only seal with products they learn inside and out. Sealer is the Achilles’ heel of decorative concrete. The secret is becoming comfortable with the product you are using.”

Unfortunately, what you may need to know about concrete sealers isn’t necessarily cut-and-dry. Some manufacturers combine technologies for hybrid products; such as blending acrylic and urethane or acrylic and siloxane. In other cases, additives are introduced to help solve some potential problems. For example, fine grit or silica is sometimes incorporated to provide slip resistance.

Some sealers can be used in combination with others for enhanced results; for example, applying urethane over epoxy, or an acrylic sealer over a penetrating sealer. If you layer sealer products, though, be sure to use compatible products.
“In most cases, stick with the same manufacturer,” advises Potvin. “Most contractors aren’t chemists and are looking at dollar signs rather than compatibility. The [compatibility] problems often don’t show up until later.”

It’s more than a price decision
In making your final decision about a sealer, remember the sealer is a small part of the overall cost of a project. As Churray points out, “It’s not the place to save pennies. You rely on customer satisfaction and word of mouth that you do quality work.”

Donaldson says, “We like to relate price to cost. A less expensive system initially might add up to a costly mistake down the road. Imagine saving 25 cents a foot initially but having to shut down operations in a year to refinish a worn and damaged sealer system. Explain this to the customer and always offer a couple options for their review.”

“So many people get stuck using one type of product because they don’t know what else is out there,” Iwaniec says. “It is important to try more than one product so you can compare your end results.”

If you can inform your customer about various concrete sealer products, you convey the appearance of someone who is knowledgeable and up-to-date with technological changes in the industry. And some customers are willing to pay more for a knowledgeable contactor and a better product.

After all, making the right sealer choice enhances and prolongs the life of your hard work. Learning about the options out there and getting the support and technical assistance you need from a reputable sealer manufacturer makes good business sense.

Film Forming/Penetrating Sealer Selection Chart

Chemical Classification	Epoxy	Acrylic Acrylic	Modified	Silane Urethane	Siloxane	Aliphatic
Primer Required		NA	NA	NA*	NA*
Adhesion ASTM 4541	5	4	4	NA	NA	3
Application Rate sq.ft./gal	75-125	200-300	200-300	125	125	75-125
Exterior Gloss Retention ASTM G-53	3	5	4	NA	NA	5
Interior Gloss Retention ASTM G-53	5	5	5	NA	NA	5
Chemical Resistance ASTM D1308	5	3	3	2	2	4
Abrasion Resistance ASTM D4060	4	2	2	NA	NA	5
Impact Resistance ASTM D2794	4	3	3	NA	NA	5
Non Skid Properties ASTM D2047	3	3	3	3	3	3
Non Skid Applied ASTM D2047	5	5		3	3	3
Dry Time ASTM 1640	3	5	5	5	5	4
UV Stability ASTM G-53	3	5	5	5	5	5
Meets VOC Regulations ASTM D3960
		25% solids must meet ASTM 1315	25% solids must meet ASTM 1315
Water Resistance ASTM D1308	5	2	4	NA	NA	3
Water Repellent SSW110C
Water Proofing TTP1411, TTPC1098
Breatheability ASTM D1653B	2	3	5	5	5	2
Rating: 1-5 5=Best *NA: For Silane and Siloxane are used since these are penetrants and do not change the concrete surface properties. This chart was created by Darryl Manuel of Vexcon Chemicals Inc. For more information on ASTM Standards, visit www.astm.org.