Best Concrete Sealer Reviews

Let me guess. You are here because you need advice on how to purchase the best concrete sealer, right? Allow me to be frank with you. The subject on concrete sealers is so broad and deep.

What do I mean? There are tons of things to understand before putting your money down for any concrete sealer that comes your way.

Do a simple research on the best concrete sealer reviews. Why do so many people complain about sealers not delivering their expected results? In my opinion, the main reason is using the wrong type of sealer. SIMPLE.

In that case, this guide will help you choose the right sealer for the job.  So, read on!

Are you new in the world of concrete sealers? Our detailed best concrete sealer buying guide (just after the reviews) might be the best starting point for you.

10 Best Concrete Sealers 2020 Reviews

1. PS101 Siliconate Multi-Surface Penetrating Sealer

Anyone looking for the best concrete sealer for their projects is better off with the PS101. There must be good reasons why this sealer is getting such good reviews and positive feedbacks from its previous users.

To start with, the PS101 is a penetrating sealer. This means that it works by penetrating deep into your projects’ floors and reacting to form a water-repellent seal. As expected, this sealer protects your surfaces without altering its traction.

Does this matter? Sure! The fact that this sealer won’t make your floors any slippery means that you can use it on both commercial and residential floors. It also minimizes any risks of injuries associated with slippery floors.

Our Rating: (4.8 / 5)

Is this the ideal sealer for you?

True to its name, PS101 Siliconate is a multi-surface sealer. So, you can use it on your concrete, stone, mortar, and brick applications. That being said, this sealer is appropriate for different floors including workshop, garage, restaurant, basement, and warehouse floors.

Again, we love that this sealer is appropriate for horizontal, vertical, above, below, and interior and exterior applications. As such, you can also use it for chimneys, brick walls, porches, driveways, sidewalks, fountains, and furniture among other applications.

How easy is it to use this concrete sealer?

PS101 concrete sealer is so easy to apply. You can apply it using a spray or paint pump or your paint brushes. As other verified confirm, you don’t require specialized skills to apply it on your surfaces. Furthermore, this package comes with a detailed guide on how to use it.

What is even better is the outstanding customer services that Concrete Sealers USA offers to its clients.

Functions of the PS101 sealer

• Prevents the growth of molds and mildew
• Blocks dusting and effloresce
• Reduces scaling and spalling
• Repels water
• Prevents moisture absorption
• Prevents penetration of stains

Pros

Cons

2. Armor SX5000 Penetrating Solvent-Based Concrete Sealer

Next online is another one of our best concrete sealer recommendations. This one comes in a 5-liter gallon. You might consider it if you plan to seal large surfaces without dashing to your local store for more now and then. However, there’s also a 1-gallon option for smaller applications.

Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)

What does it do?

Similar to Concrete Sealer PS101 above, the SX5000 is a penetrating clear concrete sealer. It can be used on concrete, bricks, exposed aggregate concrete, mortar, stucco, pavers, grout and natural stone.

That being said, the SX5000 might be the sealer for your garage, basements, and workshop floors. You can also use it on your pool decks and patios, entryways, driveways, and walkways among other projects.

You only need to use a leaf blower to remove dust from the surfaces and clean them before applying the sealer.

Here is a glimpse of its functions:

• Reduces the formation of efflorescence
• Protects your surfaces from mold and mildew
• Reduces freeze-thaw and deicing salts damage
• Minimizes the absorption of moisture through pores

What’s the catch here? What you’ll probably like about Armor SX5000 is that it does not affect your projects’ appearance. In addition, it is not slippery even in wet conditions.

What are its key strengths?

To begin with, we really appreciate that the SX5000 is a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) product. This means that it is breathable and has very minimal impacts on to your family. Again, it won’t affect plants and animals near where it is used.

It’s also worth pointing that Armor SX5000 uses a combination of silane and siloxane. This combo boosts its performance, especially when used to prevent cracking, pitting, and spalling. You might also consider it if you want to protect your projects from staining.

Here is what we like about Armor SX5000. We all love value for our money, don’t we? The good news is that the SX5000 concrete sealer offers your projects up to 10 years’ worth of protection per application.

Pros

Cons

3. DryWay water repellent concrete sealer

Are you tired of spending so much money on ice melts every winter? Again, do you live in States with so many restrictions against solvent-based sealers, like California? DryWay concrete sealer might be the way to go.

Unlike the SX5000 above, this sealer is water-based.

You might be wondering: What change does this make? If you are new to concrete sealers, you need to know that several State regulations affect the ease of shipping and easing solvent-based sealers.

In the US, OTC (Ozone Transport Commission) member states are so strict on these sealers. OTC States include New Jersey, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island among others. Luckily, the water-based sealers aren’t subject to those restrictions.

Our Rating: (4 / 5)

Are water-based sealers less powerful than solvent-based sealers?

Not really. In fact, in my opinion, these are the most convenient. The best part about DryWay and other water-based sealers is that you can apply them on both wet and dry surfaces.

This is a huge plus compared to SX5000 above which should only be applied on completely dry surfaces. This might be a limitation especially in areas with regular rainfall.

Why would you consider DryWay as the best concrete sealer for your projects?

First, in our opinion, DryWay has a good bang for your bucks. This sealer promises anywhere between 15 and 20 years of protection on a single application. This feature is great news especially if you pay contractors to apply the sealer for you.

Second, this sealer offers protection to your concrete floors and walls from a range of attacks including:

• Freeze-thaw damage
• Oil and chemical spills
• Wind-driven rain
• Chlorine ions and
• Moss and mildew growth

Third, it is slip-resistant. We also love that DryWay penetrates into porous concrete without leaving a film at the top. This means that it does not affect traction on your walkways, driveways, and basement and garage floors.

Pros

Cons

4. Enduraseal Wet Look Concrete Sealer

Let’s see. Are you looking for the best concrete sealer that will add some amount of sheen while protecting your projects at the same time? Are you also looking for a sealer that won’t break your bank? Enduraseal might be what you’re looking for.

Enduraseal is quite different from most sealers in this list of the best concrete sealer reviews. It differs from the first 3 options in that it is a topical sealer.

Our Rating: (4.4 / 5)

It’s 100% acrylic!

Ensduraseal uses a solvent-based formulation. Being acrylic, this seal comes in handy where easy application and economy are vital.

What’s the catch here?

What we love most about this sealer is that it’s designed for use on almost all types of concrete. These include pavers, stained concrete, stones, and terrazzo. Worth pointing out, this one does more than protecting your projects from possible threats.

It also gives your surfaces a semi-gloss wet-look regardless of the substrate. This feature will help especially if your surfaces have faded out from the sun. By the same vein, you might also like that this concrete sealer does not cause yellowing with time.

Another huge benefit of acrylic sealers is that they dry fast. This feature helps, for instance, if you want to prepare your surfaces in readiness for unexpected family gatherings.

What might you not like about this sealer?

We found a few drawbacks – not deal-breakers- with this seal. First, it requires that you spread 2 layers of the sealer at an interval of some specified hours. This might be additional costs if you’re paying for the services.

Secondly, there is a very thin line between applying it correctly and messing your projects up. The bad news is that incorrect application will cost you heavily and may take some time to correct.

Pros

Cons

5. Rocklinite Labs Concrete Countertop Sealer

What are you looking for, the best concrete sealer for your sinks and kitchen tops? You might want to give Rocklinite Labs Tuff Duck a trial. This sealer might also be the solution to your leaking birdbaths.

Our Rating: (4.4 / 5)

So, what is Rocklinite Countertop Sealer?

As the name suggests, this sealer is specifically designed for your kitchen tops. Wait for a second, why should you seal your concrete countertops?

Concrete and stone countertops are glistering and quite gorgeous when new, right? But what happens as they age? What was once an attractive top starts fading away and becomes more of a health hazard as water and dirt eat it away.

Don’t let this happen to your kitchen countertops.

You can save them by applying a seal on their surfaces. In that case, Rocklinite comes as our best concrete sealer recommendation for such projects.

What does Rocklinite Labs do?

This sealer protects your concrete countertops from etching and staining. It also fills the voids that might harbor dirt from spills, oils, and dirty water. You not only add durability to your countertops but also protect your family’s health.

Is it safe?

Sure! One reason why we view Rocklinite Tuff Duck as the best concrete sealer for kitchen tops is that it’s water-based. What’s so good about it is that it does not have VOCs. That being said, it is food-safe and does not pose any threat even when used near foods.

You might also like that it’s odor-less. This feature makes it worth considering if you don’t like the nasty fumes produced by other sealers.

Pros

Cons

6. KILZ Interior/Exterior Concrete Sealer

Kilz is yet another recommendable option in your hunt for the best concrete sealer. It’s similar to Enduraseal in that it uses acrylic-based formulas to protect your projects from the weather element. Budget-wise, Kilz offers you the best bang for your buck per gallon.

As such, this might be your guy if you want to protect your surfaces and save money at the same time. The best part? What we find appealing with this sealer is that it saves your money without compromising its performance.

Our Rating: (3.9 / 5)

Let’s talk about versatility

If you are a serious DIYer, the chances are that you won’t order a 5-gallon sealer for a single project, right? After applying it on your concrete walkway, you might as well think of adding some durability to your indoor tiles.

Luckily, that’s just what Kilz is designed to do. With the same sealer, you can work on your tiles, concrete, bricks, masonry, aggregate and artificial stones surfaces.

Want to know the best part?

This sealer offers you endless options for the application. You can use a brush, a roller, or even spray it. But what’s even better is that it dries to the touch within an hour. This feature allows you to apply another layer of the seal without messing things.

As it’s the case with other topical concrete sealers, Kilz not only protects your surfaces from moisture and chlorine intrusion. It also adds a fantastic shine to your surfaces. In fact, if you have some concrete surfaces that you would like to brighten up, this might be the seal for the job.

On this same note, you might also want to consider its other low-luster version if you want to give your surfaces a low gloss.

Pros

Cons

7. Armor AR500 Acrylic Concrete Sealer

Foundation Armor is one best concrete sealer brands worth turning to on the market today. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that 2 of its sealers make our list of the best sealer for concrete today.

Bad new first: Armor AR500 isn’t the cheapest concrete sealer on the planet. And the good news? It might be the best sealer for your projects if you can afford it.

Our Rating: (4.8 / 5)

What is the AR500?

This is an acrylic-based sealer meant to enhance and protect your interior and exterior surfaces. This is a high gloss sealer. This means that it offers your tops a more visible sheen than Kilz above.

How does it work?

It being a solvent-based concrete sealer, Armor AR500 penetrates into the surfaces to create a strong, long-lasting bond. This way, it’s able to protect the surfaces from water intrusion and salts intrusion.

What’s the difference between the AR500 and the SX5000?

Nice question! The main difference between these 2 versions is that the SX5000 does not alter your projects’ appearance. On the other hand, the AR500 does 2 things;

• It protects the surfaces
• It also leaves behind an attractive high gloss finish

That being said, if you want to boost the durability of your surfaces and give them a top-notch appearance at the same time, the AR500 might be the way to go.

What should you know about the high gloss finish?

• It is UV resistant
• It resists your vehicles’ hot tires
• Won’t support mildew and mold growth
• It’s not affected by water and temperature changes

Pros

Cons

8. Black Diamond Nex-Gen Sealer

If all you need is a small amount of concrete sealer for small surfaces in your kitchen, this 16fl.oz-Black Diamond might please you. I won’t tell you that this is the best concrete sealer since it isn’t. However, it has a favorable price tag and will still protect your surfaces for some time.

So, besides the price, why do we have Black Diamond in our best concrete sealer reviews?

First, it is incredibly easy to use. This is a feature that might interest most buyers considering that you won’t be spending on a pump.

Secondly, it’s so easy to use. Being precise, this is among a few other sealers on the market that you can apply and use the surface in under 2-5 hours. To apply, you only need to spray it on your kitchen tops and rub the excess after a few minutes. Importantly, you get all the instructions with the package.

Our Rating: (4.3 / 5)

Are you looking for an odorless sealer?

We also appreciate that Black Diamond is a water-based sealer. Similar to others of this type, this sealer is food-safe. This means that it does not emit fumes that might be harmful to your family and pets.

It shines and seals

Black Diamond also helps you kill 2 stones with a single stone. If you want to protect your kitchen surfaces from moisture and dirt and boost its appearance too, this might be the seal to consider. Good enough, Black Diamond seals but still allows your concrete, granite, brick, and slate surfaces to breathe.

Pros

Cons

9. Miracle Sealants 511 Porous Plus Sealer

This is yet another option that we wouldn’t fail to recommend in our search for the best concrete sealer.  Miracle Sealants is among the most expensive sealers we have on this list. On the other hand, it’s also among the most highly rated.

As such, it’s safe to assume that it does what it promises. But what’s the real story?

Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)

Invisible sealer

Miracle 511 Porous Plus is a penetrating type of seal. This might be what you require if you’re in need of the best sealer for the most porous surfaces. It penetrates into the pores of the surfaces to form an invisible bond that restricts moisture and stains.

Where can use Miracle Sealants 511 Plus?

This is a versatile sealer that can be confidently used for different surfaces including;

• Concrete tile
• Pre-case concrete
• Flagstone
• Sandstone
• Cement
• Polished granite and
• Slate among other applications

What’s there to like about this Miracle sealer?

One key feature that most people like about the 511 Porous Plus is that it does not alter the look of your projects. This is a nice feature if you don’t want to conceal the original appearance of your tiles, slates, and concrete.

Its superior coverage is also worth mentioning. One gallon of this sealant can cover anywhere between 500 and 4000 square feet. This might be the guy if you want real value from each gallon, right?

We also like that this sealer is usable both indoors and outdoors.

Here is the catch…

Miracle 511 Porous Plus is food-safe. It also loses its odors within a few minutes. This means that you can use it on your concrete kitchen tops. In addition, you can also use it to eliminate soap scums on your bathroom’s walls and floors.

You must be wondering, is it slippery? No.

Pros

Cons

10. Concrete Coating Superseal 2000 sealer

Our last product (not the least in any way whatsoever) on this list is Concrete Coating’s Superseal 2000. This is a high-end concrete sealer designed for professional use only. So, if you can afford it, it might be the best concrete sealer for your indoors and outdoors applications.

Our Rating: (4.4 / 5)

Do you prefer matte or ‘wet look’?

Superseal 2000 is available in different amounts from 1 gallon to 5 gallons. Again, it’s available in matte and wet look versions. Do I need to explain the difference between the 2? Not really.

The interesting bit with this sealer is that it’s usable on almost any surface ranging from concrete to cement overlays. We also like that it’s UV and stain-resistant and does not yellow.

The only downside?

The only drawback that we found with the Superseal 2000 is its high level of VOC compounds (599g/l). Admittedly, this might not bother you much if you use it outdoors. However, its odors may be disturbing for some hours when used indoors.

On this note, you’ll need lots of ventilation if you plan to use it indoors.

Besides that, Superseal is great quality with superb and easily visible results.

Pros

Cons

Best concrete sealer buying guide

Concrete sealers are essential for offering protection and aesthetic appeal to our projects. As the name suggests, concrete sealers work by blocking pores. This minimizes the rate of water and salts absorption. Mind you, these 2 are the best-known culprits when it comes to concrete damage, according to Portland cement Association.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of concrete sealers on the market today. And as it’s always the case in life, not every other sealer will perfectly fit every other project. This is because different sealers are designed for use on different types of concrete applications.

A guide to different types of sealers

Concrete sealers come in 2 major categories

• Penetrating sealers
• Coating sealers

Penetrating Sealers in detail

True to their name, penetrating sealers penetrate into the concrete and reacts to form a barrier. This chemical barrier prevents water, deicing salts, and moisture from penetrating and settling in the concrete.

Penetrating sealers are more ideal for exterior applications. As such, you might want to consider them if you’re looking for the best concrete sealers for walkways, driveways, and patios. These sealers protect your outdoor projects from harsh elements without affecting their appearance or traction.

Worth pointing out, penetrating sealers can be used on both dry and damp surfaces. Of great importance, there’s need to perfectly match each type with substrate porosity.

Penetrating sealers are your go-to sealers if you want to protect your outdoor concrete projects from freeze/thaw cycles, deicing salts, and damp conditions without interfering with their look and feel.

The catch with these sealers is that they offer a lifespan of not less than 5 years per application.

Coating sealers

Also known as topical sealers, these sealers work by forming a secondary layer on your applications. Unlike penetrating sealers, coating sealers may affect the visual appearance and the traction/feel of your surfaces.

These coatings come in different gross levels ranging from matte (flat) to high gloss.  Gloss (also called sheen) refers to how much light the coating reflects. This affects how different coatings enhance your project’s concrete color or the stain they are covering. Gloss is measured in MPI and ranges from 1-100. The higher the rate, the higher the reflection.

Understanding color enhancements

Understanding the color appearance that you need in your final projects helps you narrow down to the best concrete sealer. The table below shows the results of different sealers with varying gloss ratings.

Sealer Type	Gloss ratings	Solids content
Flat	0-20	<20%
Matte	20-40	20-25%
Semi-gloss	40-60	20-25%
Gloss	60-90	25-30%
High gloss	80-100	>30%

 

Coating sealers are applied on decorative concrete surfaces for durability and color enhancement purposes. However, do note that this secondary layer only acts as a sacrificial goat that the weather elements can work on. As such, you’ll need to reapply the coating after deterioration usually after 2-3 years.

Understanding major sealer chemistries

In my experience with concrete sealers, I’ve found it quite vital to understand what goes into them. This makes the process of identifying the best concrete sealer for your applications even more flawless.

Acrylic resins

They are mainly found in topical coatings. You can get them in both water-based and solvent-based formulas. They are known for their affordability, rich colors, fast drying rates, and easy cleanup.

They also have good UV protection for outdoor projects. The only problem? Acrylic resins are the softest and have the shortest durability. As such, regular reapplication is required.

Silane

This is a small molecular compound common in penetrating sealers. It is hydrophobic and oleophobic. These characteristics boost its durability and will only wear if the concrete wears away. It’s ideal for sealing fully cured concrete. 

Siliconates

They are slightly larger than Silanes. They work by bonding with the porous concrete to create a repellent cross-linking membrane. Similar to silanes, they are also hydrophobic and oleophobic. They only wear when the concrete wears.

Thanks to their impeccable water repellence, these compounds create the best concrete sealer for roads and driveways. Their sealers are also ideal for tilt-up walls and porous stones and bricks.

Conclusion

The best concrete sealer offers protection to concrete, brick, tiles, and slate. Unfortunately, the high number of brands selling their products makes it hard for home owners to get their ideal sealer. The essence of this article is to help you narrow down to the sealant that you need for your specific projects.

Is still hard for you?

After thorough consideration, we view Miracle Sealants 511 Porous Plus as the best concrete sealer. It’s effective on most surfaces, it’s food-safe, and has a large coverage.