Selecting a Type of Concrete Sealer Based on Your Needs
Concrete installation entails applying a concrete sealer. Through appropriate measures during application and through selecting a suitable type of sealer, you can ensure that your project runs smoothly. For instance, if you’re working on marble tiles, you ought to know which sealer fits perfectly. Otherwise, you’ll end up ruining the beautiful stone.
You may find several products available in the market. However, there is no single sealer, which can accommodate to all types of projects. What’s worse is that once you applied the wrong type of concrete sealer or did the wrong way of applying, you can eventually distort what could have been a perfect installation.
To aid you in avoiding potential mishaps, I’ve laid down here the most common types of concrete sealer available. Note that there are two main types: surface and penetrating sealers. Under surface sealers, we have acrylic, epoxy, and urethane. For penetrating, we usually have those silicone-based.
Surface Sealers
The most common sealers are used since they protect the surface, also preventing any foreign object to pass through; that to include rust, oils, salts, water, and other stains and chemicals.
Acrylic
An acrylic concrete sealer is softer compared to the other types. However, this is more suitable for external applications due to its resistance to UV rays. This also lets moisture present in the concrete flow out. Likewise, if you want a wet and shiny look for your decorative and colored finishes, such sealer would just match.
Epoxy
An epoxy concrete sealer is stronger compared to an acrylic sealer. However, it does not allow moisture to escape. Such type of sealer offers a shiny, clear finish. Likewise, they blend well with concrete facades yet they entail more surface preparation and higher costs.
Urethane
A urethane concrete sealer turns out as the strongest yet the most expensive among the types of concrete sealer. Urethane sealers are usually meant for industrial uses. Thus, only professionals must handle them.
Penetrating
As mentioned earlier, penetrating sealers are oftentimes silicon-based. With this, they infiltrate a surface and react to free lime, forming calcium silicate. This process makes it seem like the capillaries and pores are filled with cement. Through this, the concrete will be stronger and water won’t migrate to it.
Aside from these mentioned concrete sealers, there are a lot more you can choose from based on your specific needs.
Sealing Concrete Floors
To seal such floors, you’ll need a concrete floor sealer. Resin-based and considered as a water emulsion compound, you can apply it on concrete floors to avoid corrosion. Expect a glossy, hard finish, too, with this type of sealer. This is best used in commercial areas such as factories, offices, as well as stores.
Sealing for Stronger Surfaces
If you want your porches, patios, steps, sidewalks, floors, and driveways to get protected from various chemicals and other external factors, you need a clear concrete sealer. Aside from sealing out moisture, it has water resistance, high adhesion, endurance, and high adhesion.
Sealing Driveways
To protect your driveway from wear and tear, right from the start, you have to seal it using a long-lasting concrete driveway sealer. One of the most promising sealers for such is the siloxane concrete sealer or siloxane water repellent. With this type, you’ll have no problems on salt and water uptake as well as cycles of freeze-thaw. Thus, your driveway will stand the battles ahead.