Concrete Surfaces and Which Sealer to Use in 2024

This post was most recently updated on May 10th, 2024

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior concrete sealing and protection. For info about who I am, please read my full bio here.

Which Concrete Sealer to Use?

As of 2024, I remain a go-to source for information on Concrete Surfaces and Which Sealer to Use. See below for a guide on Concrete Surfaces and Which Sealer to Use. If you have any questions about the best type of concrete sealer for your project, please ask me in our Q&A area below. I am glad to help!

Different Concrete Surfaces and Best Sealer to Use

Decorative Concrete:

This is any concrete surface that is not simply a means of construction but is also altered to enhance its beauty. Concrete is transformed into a decorative piece while still serving as an integral part of the building process, such as floors, walls, driveways, or patios. The altering of concrete to enhance its beauty is accomplished through a number of procedures, such as stamping, acid staining, polishing, coloring, overlaying, and more.

Sealer Type: Use a sealer that enhances the color tones with a wet look. Typically, these are acrylic sealers that are either water- or solvent-based. If solvent, use a “styrene” acrylic to allow moisture to escape. These come in a Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin, and No Gloss.

Stamped Concrete:

Concrete is altered to look like another material, such as brick, stone, slate, flagstone, tile, and wood. The concrete is usually patterned, textured, or embossed to achieve this look. In addition, a base color is used along with an accent color. Stamped concrete is generally used for driveways, patios, sidewalks, pool decks, and flooring.

Sealer Type: Use a sealer that enhances the color tones with a wet look. Acrylic-based solvent-based is best, but some good water-based versions are on the market. If solvent, use a “styrene” acrylic to allow moisture to escape. These come in a Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin, and No Gloss. A sand grip can be added to increase the traction if needed.

Stamped Concrete Sealer Photos

Acid Stains

Acid stains on concrete are not paint or coatings but a coloring process involving a chemical reaction. Acids and salts react with the concrete minerals to create a color change. Acid stains can be used to enhance both interior and exterior concrete surfaces. Once the color change has occurred, the surface can be sealed to protect the finish.

Sealer Type to use: The most common sealer type is a wet look with a Gloss sheen—solvent “styrene” or water-based Acrylics. You can maintain acid stains indoors with high-grade concrete floor wax as needed. Grip traction can be added if needed.

Pavers

Concrete brick pavers, commonly known as “pavers,” are a special dry mix of pre-cast concrete designed to interlock. Pavers are generally used in exterior hardscape applications. The interlocking pavers are installed on a compacted bed of sand. Sand is also used to create joints much like mortar joints in brickwork. A paver sealer can be applied to lock in the sand joints and harden the entire structure.

Sealer Type to use: Wet Look with or without a gloss shine. No wet look (no change in appearance) is okay as well. Acrylic-based in either water or solvent-based. If solvent, use a “styrene” acrylic to allow moisture to escape. These come in a Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin, and No Gloss. Many sealers will also harden or stabilize the joint sand to prevent erosion.

Brick Paver Sealer Photos

Exposed Aggregate

This type of concrete finish is achieved by increasing the amount of aggregate (stone) in the concrete mix before it is poured. Once partially set, a surface retarder is sprayed on. This allows the concrete underneath to harden, but not the surface. Once the underneath concrete is hardened, the top layer of concrete is washed away, exposing the internal aggregates of the concrete mix. Exposed aggregate hides stains, cracks, and overall weathering much better than regular concrete due to the busyness of the appearance. Yet exposed aggregate is a very aesthetically pleasing finish. Older exposed aggregate surfaces can look as good as the day they were poured.

Sealer Type to use: Acrylic solvent or water-based with a glossy shine is the most popular. Tints (usually brown) can be added to enhance the appearance even more.

Poured Concrete

A composite mix of cement and other materials like fly ash, slag, limestone, water, and chemicals. It is mixed to meet the needs of a desired concrete slab or other surfaces. It is typically brought in and poured using a cement truck. Depending on the job, concrete can take on many shapes, sizes, and functionalities. Forms are set to help the concrete take its shape while a sub-base of granular fill or road base is used. Once poured, the concrete surface is smoothed, leveled, and finished to the desired look. Poured concrete is commonly used for driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, foundations, and retaining walls.

Sealer Type to use: Penetrating Sealers and Water Repellents that do not change the appearance with a shine enhancement are best. Siloxane or silane-based sealers are also good. These vary in performance, but a good quality sealer will last 5-7 years. The Siloxane will chemically react with the alkali in the concrete, creating an internal barrier to water and stains.

Penetrating Concrete Sealer Photos

Brick Walls

Brick walls are constructed using bricks and mortar. This type of brick wall construction is commonly referred to as masonry construction. The bricks are normally made of concrete, ceramic, or calcium silicate. Bricks are coated with a cement mix called mortar and stacked on top of one another in layers to create a wall or some other type of building structure. Brick walls can be used for the construction of entire buildings or houses. They are also commonly used for chimney construction, foundations, and more.

Sealer Type to use: Similar to poured concrete, you would want a penetrating sealer that does not change the appearance. Typically, the higher the concentration of Siloxane, as bricks can be very porous. The Siloxane will chemically react with the alkali in the concrete, creating an internal barrier to water and stains.

Questions on your Surface and What to Use? Please ask me Below

Scott Paul ~ Restoring Concrete Since 1993 Owner

As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993, he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash, specializing in exterior pressure washing and concrete/brick paver sealing. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter, concentrating more on exterior wood and concrete/paver restoration. Scott and his Pressure Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 projects in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the concrete and brick pavers restoration industry and has contributed to numerous forums and informative sites. All the products he suggests through this site are sold online and in retail stores, allowing consumers to choose their means of purchase. Scott’s eCommerce sites sell many of the top brands he endorses, and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered, feel free to purchase from one of them.

See Full Bio

Concrete Restoration and Maintenance Concrete Coatings