Sealing Different Types of Concrete Surfaces

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

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

Update Sealing Different Concrete Surfaces

I appreciate you visiting Concrete Sealer Review for 2024, your source for the latest tips and trends for your concrete and brick paver sealers. It is essential to know how to approach a concrete sealer project. In this updated article, I will give suggestions for sealing different types of concrete surfaces. If you have any suggestions or have any questions, please comment below.

Different types of concrete surfaces to be sealed.

Decorative Concrete – This is any concrete surface that is not simply a means of construction but is also altered to enhance its beauty. The concrete is also 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.

Stamped Concrete is concrete that is altered to look like another material, such as brick, stone, slate, flagstone, tile, and wood. The concrete is normally 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.

Acid Stains – Acid stain on concrete is not a paint or coating but rather a coloring process that involves a chemical reaction. Acids and salts react with the concrete minerals to create a color change. Acid stain 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.

Pavers – Concrete pavers, more 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.

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.

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.

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 usually 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.

Different Types of Concrete Sealers Video

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.

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