Concrete sealer has a variety of benefits for concrete surfaces. The most common protective measures provided by concrete sealers include weatherproofing, crack prevention, reduction of moisture intrusion and general increased toughness/durability. Other considerations that concrete sealers may account for include general aesthetics, sheen, finish, and feel. Finally, with some concrete sealing compounds, factors like concrete curing, hardening, or even densification can be affected.
Concrete Sealers Create a Coating
Firstly, concrete sealers typically are penetrating type or surface type, or a bit of both. A concrete sealer can help to fill in micro voids and cavities in the surface of a concrete item. This helps to create a coating across the concrete surface which reduces the ability for water to enter into the pores of the concrete.
As such, there is a reduction in the ability for salts and de-icing chemicals to leach into concrete and cause damage. Likewise, reduction in water into concrete reduces wear and tear, and even potentially reduces the amount of crack formation. Less surface penetrants may reduce concrete crack formation. Overall one of the primary roles of concrete sealers is to create a protective coating on top of the concrete and slightly below the surface.
Concrete Sealers Change the Appearance of Concrete
In addition to the weatherproofing characteristics, concrete sealers, with certain products, have the unique ability to totally transform the look and feel of concrete. This could be a color change with some sealers, being provided pigments and color additives that change the color of the surface of your concrete element. The sheen of a concrete sealer is another important metric to consider when looking at concrete sealers. You can get all kinds of finishes, from matte, to glossy, to half gloss etc.
The gloss on the sealer can make a major architectural and design impact on the overall look and feel of a concrete patio, concrete stairs, concrete sidewalk or even a concrete driveway.
Added durability and a slight aesthetic change are the two primary reasons to seal concrete, with most products.
Most concrete sealing products are not designed for a large improvement in the durability of concrete, however, some products, like hardeners and densifiers can provide such benefits.
What About Concrete Hardeners?
A concrete hardener product increases the surface hardness of concrete, which, in theory, makes a concrete surface more usable for day to day heavy traffic. This, along with concrete densification solutions, are concrete penetrating systems.
Densification is a process whereby the top portion of the concrete is provided increased density. This is done again, through the penetrating properties of concrete sealing products which embed sealing/chemical additives into the pores and gaps in concrete to produce a harder/denser surface and sub-surface for concrete. Hardeners have special additives which promote increased hardness for concrete.
Summary
These are more advanced types of concrete sealing products which are best utilized for heavier traffic scenarios like parkades, concrete commercial driveways, warehouse concrete floors and more…
Overall, concrete sealing products are perfect for residential and commercial flooring systems. Concrete sealers provide both durability and aesthetic considerations for concrete floors, improving overall lifespan and design functionality of various concrete elements.
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Deluxe Concrete offers a variety of concrete solutions for residential and commercial construction requirements. For everything from concrete patios, to concrete sidewalks, concrete stairs and more… Deluxe Concrete Services is your local Calgary concrete contractor!
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