Thinking about getting your concrete sealed? Well, make sure to take these considerations into account when choosing the right product and application for your concrete sealing. Concrete sealers have a variety of product styles and design intents, so choosing the right product can be difficult. There are concrete acrylic sealers, penetrating sealers, curing compounds, hardeners and more!
You want a good mixture of protection for your concrete but also design aesthetic improvement. This means your concrete sealer needs to have a number of qualities which are going to support weatherproofing, durability, aesthetics, and general wear and tear.
When in doubt, trust the services of a professional Calgary concrete contractor to help you with your concrete sealing. Trained professionals are experienced with all manner of concrete sealing and curing compounds. A professional concrete contractor will understand which sealer is right for your concrete driveway, patio, sidewalk and more!
Now, if you want some general education on the feasibility of concrete sealing products, please read on.
In this post, we’ve detailed some of the best concrete sealing methods on the market today.
Penetrating Concrete Sealers
Penetrating concrete sealers are a great choice of concrete sealer that penetrates into the surface of the concrete. These products protect against weather, water, precipitation and more. The penetrating concrete sealer will affect the look of the concrete, but not as much as an acrylic concrete sealer.
A penetrating concrete sealer differs from a surface sealer like acrylic or film-forming options. While surface sealers enhance the appearance of concrete with a glossy or wet look, penetrating sealers are designed primarily for durability, not aesthetics.
They soak into the concrete and chemically react within to protect from moisture, stains, and freeze-thaw damage without changing the surface appearance.
Acrylic Concrete Sealers
An acrylic concrete sealer will totally change the look of your concrete and give it a shinier appearance. An acrylic concrete sealer is perfect for a concrete patio, concrete pathway, or concrete staircase. They can dramatically improve the appearance of concrete if correctly applied.
An acrylic concrete sealer is the type of sealer that you would use to transform the look and feel of any number of concrete elements to make them look the part!
These sealers form a thin film on the surface, enhancing color and adding a glossy, wet-look finish that highlights the design. In addition to visual appeal, acrylic sealers also offer protection from UV exposure, water, and stains, making them a practical and attractive choice for decorative concrete surfaces.
Application Methods
Spray application of certain concrete sealers can offer a more even distribution and smoother finish compared to using a roller. This method is especially effective for textured or decorative surfaces where uniform coverage is crucial.
There are various additives you can provide for concrete sealers to improve on certain characteristics:
Grit and grip can be added or incorporated into the concrete sealer to improve traction
You can opt for a matte finish with certain types of concrete sealers.
You can opt for a higher gloss finish with certain types of concrete sealers.
Some concrete sealers come with the ability to change the color and tone of concrete.
Certain concrete sealers are designed for increased durability of concrete, providing hardening or densification properties.
Certain concrete sealers are stain-resistant.
Overall, concrete sealers are great for stamped concrete and exposed aggregate concrete.
When to Apply Concrete Sealer
Ideally, concrete sealers should be applied when the concrete has fully cured.
That said, some sealing products can be applied for the curing process, known as, curing compounds. Application of concrete sealer is best done in dry warm weather, with no inclement weather on the way, and lower humidity. This will allow the sealer to set quicker. In about 12 to 24 hours, a sealer can be dry and ready for traffic. However, the actual curing and weatherproofing characteristics of sealers may take even longer.
If in doubt, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct application timing for your concrete sealer.
What About Concrete Curing Compounds
Curing compounds are a type of concrete sealer product which are used during the curing process of a concrete element like a slab, patio, or driveway.
They help to promote proper hydration of the concrete slab and ensure proper curing times and properties. Concrete curing/sealing products can provide both curing and weatherproofing enhancements to your concrete!
Concrete Densifiers and Hardeners
Some concrete sealers are specifically designed and intended to increase the durability and longevity of a concrete surface. They do this through densification and hardening of concrete surfaces. A concrete densifier actually acts to chemically interact with the concrete and increase the density of the surface and small amounts of the sub-surface layer.
Likewise, a concrete hardener sealing product will increase the hardness for the surface of concrete. Both these types of products are advanced in nature, and can greatly improve the durability of a concrete surface.
Typical use cases for these types of sealers include warehouses, retail spaces, loading docks and more!
Summary
In summary, there are various concrete sealers on the market, from acrylic surface coatings, to penetrating sealers, curing compounds and polishing compounds. Choosing the right concrete sealer comes down to a number of factors…
Generally speaking, what is the intended use case for your concrete?
If you are after a really great aesthetic, with some weatherproofing characteristics and protective properties, an acrylic sealer might be best for you.
If you need ultra durability for heavy traffic such as in a warehouse, a concrete densifying or hardening sealer compound might be best for you.
It really depends on your use case. You can also opt for other non-conventional concrete sealing methods, such as epoxy coatings.
Overall, when in doubt, trust the services of a professional concrete sealing company to guide you in the right direction. No matter your location, a reputable concrete contractor is one with experience, portfolio work, reviews, and a strong reputation. Finding the right concrete contractor is key to success when needing professional concrete sealing services. Need more tips and insights like this? Explore our full Construction Cost Guide to make smarter decisions for your home project.
