Concrete sealers protect surfaces against dirt, stains and oil spills while simultaneously improving their look.
Concrete has an inherently rough and dusty appearance over time, and without proper sealing it can quickly discolor into discolored spots that become discolored and discolored over time.
Most concrete should be resealed every one to three years using brushing, rolling or spraying techniques. Choose either a film-forming acrylic sealer or penetrating sealant sealant depending on its application method.
1. Aesthetics
Concrete can be both functional and beautiful. By choosing the appropriate stain color, polished concrete can reflect light into interior spaces and amplify natural brightness. Its aesthetic versatility enables designers to craft various finishes ranging from matte to high gloss that complement different design styles.
Sealant concrete requires a distinct process compared with polished concrete for reaching its same level of sheen. While mechanical grinding and polishing use finer grits of diamond abrasives to refine concrete surfaces to a smooth finish, with sealed concrete simply applying film-forming or penetrating sealant onto existing floors to achieve similar effects.
Both methods produce comparable sheen and appearance results; the difference lies in durability. Polished concrete stands up well under heavy traffic areas and requires less frequent resealing whereas sealed concrete may erode over time in heavy use areas and may require additional sealers to maintain its original appearance.
To protect against this issue, we advise choosing a high-quality sealer with waterproof properties to block water, chemicals and debris from damaging concrete floors and reduce costly resealing needs. In addition, select one with low VOC (volatile organic compound) content which will reduce air pollution as well as emissions within indoor spaces.
2. Durability
Concrete floors, even when polished, can develop a dull and discolored appearance over time due to dirt, dust, and chemicals that accumulate. Sealing concrete surfaces provides an additional protection from long-term damage caused by these substances by creating a non-porous finish which reduces long-term penetration into its pores and seals it effectively against further intrusions from outside forces.
Sealing concrete offers enhanced resistance to oil, grease and chemical spills which may stain permanently over time. This makes sealed concrete an ideal material choice for high traffic areas like commercial kitchens or garages where liquids often spill onto surfaces – an advantage over unprotected materials like brick.
Acrylic sealers create a thin film over the concrete’s surface to protect it from moisture and other damaging substances, while epoxy or penetrating sealers based on silicon-based compounds repel water by making it bead up instead of seeping into its pores.
Acrylic and silicone-based sealers may last five years with regular maintenance such as sweeping, vacuuming and mopping using neutral pH cleaner. Their longevity depends on how heavily concrete is used and environmental conditions it is exposed to; once worn-down sealants must be removed and reapplied in order to regain their protective properties; this process requires more resources and time than simply resealing untreated concrete surfaces – hence why professional installation services are highly recommended to achieve maximum effectiveness and longevity of concrete flooring surfaces.
3. Ease of Maintenance
Sealing concrete makes its maintenance much easier. By applying a penetrating sealer to it, spills such as oil, grease and chemicals will not soak in and cause permanent damage to either concrete or other flooring materials – something especially useful in environments such as kitchens or garages where such spills may occur frequently.
Unsealed concrete exposed to outdoor elements will quickly oxidize and age prematurely without proper protection from sealers. Unsealed concrete can become the ideal breeding ground for mildew, mold and bacteria that compromise indoor air quality; moisture seeping into porous concrete may freeze-thaw repeatedly over time and cause cracks, heave-buckle or buckle of its surface surface over time.
Sealing concrete creates a more uniform appearance than un-sealed concrete, as a sealer acts as an acrylic “plastic” filling in imperfections for an elegant shine. There are various sheen levels to suit different aesthetic preferences: gloss, satin and matte finishes provide subdued or natural looks; acid or water-based stains may also be applied over sealed concrete for mottled color effects that add visual interest; these tinted stains can even be tinted specifically to match existing decor!
4. Reliability
Concrete sealants help block moisture from penetrating the surface of your concrete and causing its degradation. Moisture can wreak havoc in climate-prone regions like those who experience frequent freeze-thaw cycles and climate shifts, as well as promote mold and mildew growth – leaving unsightly stains that need to be addressed by sealing it first. Concrete sealing also inhibits penetration by moisture to block it entering, and inhibit its presence as an invitee for mold and mildew growth – thus helping prevent this occurrence before it even starts!
The durability of concrete sealant depends on both its type and amount of traffic. Acrylic sealers typically last one to three years while epoxy and urethanes may outlive even these estimates and last up to ten or more.
Reactive penetrating sealers provide long-term protection for concrete. Once set (usually 28 days after placement), this type of sealant penetrates its pores to form an impenetrable barrier against staining, water damage and chemical degradation.
To determine whether your reactive penetrating sealant needs to be reapplied, pour water on the surface of your concrete. If the water soaks in or beads up quickly, it may be time for another application of your sealant.