Cornerstone Concrete Designs in Orrville, OH

No decorative concrete floor installation is complete without the application of a sealer. Taking the time to put down this final layer of protection not only prolongs the life of your floor, but can also enhance and preserve its appearance. Here's a list of common questions about concrete sealers and how they work to protect your floor.

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WHAT DOES A CONCRETE SEALER DO?

A concrete floor sealer will beautify and preserve your floor. Sealing brings out the beauty of a concrete floor by enhancing the color and adding sheen. Sealing also preserves the decorative treatment by protecting the concrete surface from abrasions and stains. Some floor sealers form a protective film on the surface of the concrete, while others penetrate into the floor.

HOW DO YOU SEAL AN INDOOR CONCRETE FLOOR?

Many people opt for having their floors professionally sealed. But, if you are thinking of doing it yourself, here are the steps for sealing concrete floors:

  1. Allow recently poured concrete to cure fully
  2. Let stains or overlays dry thoroughly before sealing
  3. Remove baseboards or cover them for protection
  4. Clean the floor and wait for it to dry
  5. Wear protective gear and clothing
  6. Open doors and windows for proper ventilation
  7. Apply a thin coat of concrete floor sealer and let dry
  8. Apply a second coat in the other direction, let dry
  9. Coat the surface with concrete floor wax to prolong the life of the sealer
  10. Reapply the sacrificial wax as it wears off
  11. Reseal your concrete floor every few years

Is it better to roll or spray concrete floor sealer?

Most professionals agree that spraying sealer produces more consistent coverage. Plus sprayers are faster and more efficient for covering a large floor. Many contractors use a combination of spraying and back rolling to work the sealer into the floor and improve adhesion. Make sure the roller you use won’t shed lint into the sealer during application. Always check to see if the sealer manufacturer recommends a specific application tool.

WHAT IS THE BEST SEALER FOR CONCRETE FLOORS?

Film-forming sealers (those that form a protective film on the concrete surface) are the type most often used for interior decorative concrete work. In the category of film formers, however, you'll find several different types, each with advantages and limitations. Learn more about the types of sealer.

Shop for Concrete Floor Sealers


Deep-Penetrating Sealer

Good for basement floors.

High Gloss Clear Polyaspartic

Two-part topcoat system

Decorative Sealers

Reactive and penetrating formulas in various levels of gloss.

Clear Concrete Floor Sealer

Protects from water, staining, and abrasion.

Brickform Satin-Seal

Ideal for interior use where odor is a concern.

Industra-Coat Kits

Abrasion and chemical resistant.

Is the sealer compatible with my decorative treatment?

What will the sealer be applied to? Stained concrete, a floor overlay, a polished and dyed floor? Be sure to check with the sealer manufacturer to verify the compatibility of its product with the decorative surface it will be put on. Some sealers may interact with certain overlays or coloring agents, resulting in unwanted side effects such as blistering, bubbling, or bleeding.

Which sealers will protect my floor from scuffs or stains?

For a decorative interior floor, a high-build sealer with good resistance to scuffs and staining, such as a polyurethane or epoxy, will generally provide the best protection and be easier to maintain, especially in a high-traffic retail environment. Softer acrylic sealers usually require regular maintenance with several coats of a sacrificial floor finish, or wax, to prevent wear and black heel marks. View this comparison chart of concrete sealers.

Are concrete sealer fumes toxic?

When working indoors, it's usually safer to use a water-based rather than solvent-based sealer, especially if the area can't be ventilated. Solvent-based concrete sealers are extremely flammable and the toxic fumes they emit can be hazardous to breathe. They also may contain volatile VOCs. Learn more about checking the VOC content.

How do I know which sealer will provide the right sheen that I want on my floor?

If you're after the look of polished marble, choose a sealer with a medium- to high-gloss sheen. Most acrylic sealers are available in a range of sheen levels. For applications where a high shine is not desirable, you can also find film-forming sealers with matte or low-gloss finishes.

Will sealing make my floors slippery?

Film-forming sealers may be slippery, especially in areas where water is present, like kitchens and bathrooms. Consider using grit additives that can be mixed into the sealer to improve traction. Read more in How to Make Concrete Non-Slip.

How long will the sealer last on my floor?

The life span of a sealer depends on exposure conditions and how well the floor is maintained. Epoxies and urethanes deliver the best long-term performance and can last years before the need for reapplication.

When it comes to sealers, you get what you pay for, says technical expert Chris Sullivan. Avoid the temptation to pinch pennies. You don't want a protective finish that will wear away after only a year or so. See Sullivan's advice on sealer selection.

Learn about the options and benefits for using concrete on specific types of floors. Not all concrete floors are expected to perform the same, so you can discover what's important to consider for each type, including kitchen floors, retail floors, bathrooms, and restaurants.

Why Use a Sealer on Your Concrete Floor?
Time: 01:30
Using a sealer on your new concrete floor prevents a variety of costly problems from occuring.

Sealing Your New Concrete Floors
Time: 01:49
Find out when sealer should be applied and how to select the right sealer for your new floor.

TECHNICAL ADVICE FOR SEALING CONCRETE FLOORS

Decorative concrete expert, and vice president of sales and marketing with ChemSystems Inc, Chris Sullivan, provides in-depth answers to common problems associated with sealing concrete floors.

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