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At Century Painting we know there are varying opinions on how often you need to add a good sealant to a concrete driveway to prolong the life of the concrete. While you may not need it every year, as some companies recommend, an occasional quality sealing can help prolong the life of the concrete and keep driveways, pools, and decks looking new.

Concrete is a solid product with a long lifespan, but using a sealant at regular intervals helps it to avoid excessive cracking. Sealing can be even more important if you have a stained or etched concrete driveway. So you can make the right decision for your home, let’s take a closer look at how concrete sealants work

Types of Concrete Sealants

There are a few types of concrete sealants you can choose from. The sealant selection should be based on the type of concrete you are sealing. Some of these include:

• Acrylic, resin-based sealants: They can provide good performance at a low cost. They are often blended with silicone, polyurethane, and epoxy to help make the product stronger. 
• Epoxy or polyurethane sealants: They are more expensive than acrylic, resin-based sealants without providing a better level of protection. They can also prevent the concrete from breathing moisture out, which can cause a white haze to show up between the layer of sealant and the concrete. 
• Penetrating sealants: They are made out of a special type of resin that forms a chemical barrier against water and oil. Penetrating sealants are designed to protect concrete against stains. 

Choosing the Gloss Level

Similar to paints, concrete sealants have a different shine or gloss levels. The gloss scale includes no-gloss, matte, semi-gloss, high-gloss, and other options. Manufacturers describe the gloss level on a one-to-100 scale.

There is no standard gloss level recommended for a driveway or patio. If a high-gloss sealant is selected for the project, it is important to consider a non-slip topcoat to avoid a slick surface during wet weather. Some of the options that you can consider include:

• Solvent-based sealants: They have a gloss level of 80 to 100 and produce a high-gloss finish. 
• Water-based sealants: They have a gloss level of 50 to 80 and produce a semi-gloss or matte finish. 
• Penetrating sealants: They have a gloss level of zero and produce a no-gloss finish. 

Solvent-based sealants tend to darken the surface of the concrete more than water-based sealants. Sealants marketed to have a “wet” look have a higher ratio of solids found in the liquid, which contributes to the look and protection. Consider the look you can expect when choosing your sealant.

Taking Care of Sealant

Once the concrete is sealed, it is important to maintain it by cleaning it off every few months with a pressure washer. Cleaning the concrete will keep it looking fresh and ensure nothing stays on the concrete that could degrade the sealant. When the sealant is visibly breaking down it is time to apply another treatment.

Contact Century Painting Today!

At Century Painting, we know that choosing the right paint for your home or sealant for your concrete project can be important. We promise to provide the high-quality painting and sealing services that you need for a project you can be proud of. Contact us today to get started.