Author – Daniel Owen
Concrete sealers offer protection and an aesthetic appeal essential to many residential and commercial projects. There’s a wide range to choose from, depending on the requirements of each job. UV stability, abrasion resistance, affordability and longevity, among other traits, can all be achieved with the right sealer.
To help you better spec out your next project, we’ve broken down the pros and cons of the most common types of sealers:
· Solvent-Based Acrylic Sealers – Acrylic sealers are very commonly used. They’re inexpensive, easy to use and easy to repair. Acrylics are used both indoors and out, and are often favored for residential interiors, patios, pool decks and similar spaces. On the downside, acrylic sealers can cause issues with premature loss of gloss and occasional water whitening with exterior applications.
· Water-Based Acrylic Sealers – Similar to solvent-based acrylic sealers, water-based acrylics are inexpensive and easy to use. They have low VOC and are commonly used in residential projects where minimizing the environmental impact is a major concern. However, they don’t adhere to concrete as well as solvent-based acrylics, and they don’t enhance the color in decorative applications. Overall performance isn’t adequate for commercial projects.
· Solvent-Based, 2-Component Polyurethane Sealers – Solvent-based polyurethanes solve many problems common to acrylics, yet they’re also more expensive. They are known for longevity, UV stability, and superior stain and chemical resistance. They are ideal for commercial or industrial complexes that receive a large amount of foot or vehicle traffic. The downside: polyurethanes emit a strong odor during installation that may not work for some businesses, such as restaurants or retail spaces, which need to remain open during renovations. They are also flammable.
· Water-Based, 2-Component Polyurethane Sealers – The water-based polyurethanes are similar to solvent-based polyurethanes but have a low odor, making them more appropriate for restaurants, resorts and similar businesses. They have excellent water and chemical resistance as well as gloss retention in heavy foot traffic areas. Two-component polyurethanes are often thought of as “the Cadillac” finish coat in the floor coating industry.
· Water-Based Epoxy Sealers – The water-based epoxies are affordable and have a low odor. They are used in both residential and commercial projects, yet should only be applied indoors. UV exposure turns the sealer yellow. Water-based epoxies have exceptional adhesion and often serve as a primer under polyurethane finish coats.
· 100 Percent Solids Epoxy Sealers – These types of sealers have a high film build and are used for residential and commercial interiors that require a thick coating. Cleanability, stain resistance and scratch resistance are improved with the use of a polyurethane top coat.
· Polyaspartic Sealers – Polyaspartic sealers can be used indoors or outdoors, and they possess many of the same benefits as polyurethanes. The primary difference is that they cure very rapidly. Polyaspartic sealers are high gloss and can be applied more heavily in a single coat than the two-component polyurethane materials. Abrasion and scratch resistance is not quite as good, and the polyaspartics are more expensive than other sealers.
Projects with unique requirements may call for systems with multiple types of sealers. Use our online Systems Guide to narrow your criteria and identify the correct system.
To find out more information on the best coatings in the industry, click on APF’s website:
Author – Daniel Owen
Vice President of Arizona Polymer Flooring
daniel.owen@apfepoxy.com
Daniel Owen, the son of Dean and Carol Owen, founders and owners of Arizona Polymer Flooring, was raised in the specialty coatings industry. Throughout his childhood, he spent many nights and weekends getting hands-on field experience while working on construction sites with his parents. As a teenager he spent his summers building his industry knowledge by installing residential and commercial epoxy floor coatings for the family business.
At the age of eighteen he began working at the APF factory as a Chemical Processor. In recent years Daniel has put his years of experience to use in business development, R&D of new products, consulting, hands-on contractor and distributor training and the day to day management of APF as Vice President of the company.