Sealing your driveway is a great way to extend the life of it, as well as protect against water damage. There are many different types of sealer that you can use on your driveway, and they all have their pros and cons. In this blog post, we will talk about a few types of sealers and help you decide which one is best for you!
If you’re considering choosing a concrete sealer for your driveway or concrete surfaces, you’ll have four main options:
- A penetrating sealer
- An acrylic sealer
- A polyurethane sealer
- Epoxy coatings
Penetrating Sealers
Penetrating sealers are different to topical sealers, in that they will penetrate deep into the pores of your concrete instead of just sitting on the surface.
They form a deep bond with the concrete substrate and can offer very good protection against the weather and elements and are perfect for external surfaces.
Penetrating sealers can be applied over bare concrete or existing sealers. Most penetrating sealers start out as a liquid and then dry to form an impermeable barrier that can protect the surface from water damage. They come in oil based, solvent based and water based varieties.
Acrylic Sealers
Acrylic Sealers form a thin layer of protection on the surface of your concrete.
They are easy to apply and can be used on both new and old concrete. Acrylic sealers will protect your driveway from water damage, but they will not offer the same level of protection as a penetrating sealer.
They van be used both indoors and outdoors and offer a fast drying time, sometimes as short as an hour.
Polyurethane Sealers
Polyurethane sealers are thicker than acrylic sealers and offer more protection than an acrylic sealer.
They are perfect for use on older concrete, as they can fill in any small cracks or imperfections that may exist. Polyurethane sealers will also protect your driveway from water damage and UV rays.
However, they can be a bit more difficult to apply than other types of sealers, and they usually require two coats for full protection.
Epoxy Coatings
Epoxy coatings are the most durable type of sealer that you can use on your driveway.
They offer the best protection against water damage, and weathering. However, they are also the most expensive option and can be difficult to apply.
Sometimes if exposed to the the sun’s UV rays, some epoxies can have a yeelowing effect. For this reason, they are often used on indoor surfaces more often, such as garages.
Epoxy coatings need to be mixed by hand, so you will have better application results if you choose a professional for this job!
We hope this blog post was helpful in deciding which type of sealer suits your needs best! To read more about driveway sealing click here, to read more about epoxy flooring click here, and if your surface needs a grind and reseal, click here or call our friendly customer service representatives by getting in touch on our contact page.
