5 Best Concrete Sealers (2023 Guide)

Concrete driveways, garage floors, pathways, and other structures are susceptible to damage from the elements. However, with one or more layers of concrete coating, you can protect hard surfaces from scuffs, cracks, water damage, and other threats.

In this review and guide, we’ll give you our top picks for the best concrete sealers, talk about various sealer types, their respective uses, and what to look for when shopping, then answer some frequently asked questions.

Top 5 Concrete Sealers

• Best Sealer Overall: TotalBoat Concrete Coating
• Best Acrylic Sealer: Foundation Armor Concrete Sealer
• Best Penetrating Sealer: Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek Concrete Sealer
• Best Glossy Sealer: Black Diamond Stoneworks Stone Sealer
• Best Sealer for Basements: RadonSeal Concrete Sealer

Best Concrete Sealer Overall: TotalBoat Concrete Coating

Pros and Cons

✔ Can withstand heat
✔ Produces a high-gloss finish
✔ Is compatible with concrete, ceramic, metal, stone, wood, and other materials

✘ Covers less square footage than other concrete
✘ Requires more steps to apply

What Customers Are Saying

In our review-focused research, we learned that many customers were surprised at how thick this concrete sealer was, as this helped it better protect surfaces. Unfortunately, bubbling was an issue for many customers, and they found the application instructions confusing.

Best Acrylic Concrete Sealer: Foundation Armor Concrete Sealer

Pros and Cons

✔ Works on sealed and unsealed surfaces
✔ Has a non-yellowing formula
✔ Works for indoor and outdoor applications

✘ Comes in a heavy drum
✘ May be difficult to open

What Customers Are Saying

Although the 5-gallon drum was challenging for some customers to open, our research indicated that many found it easy to apply the sealer using the recommended instructions. When applied correctly, water and other liquids beaded on the concrete rather than soaking into it. However, a few reviewers claimed that one application only lasted a few months.

Best Penetrating Concrete Sealer: Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek Concrete Sealer

Pros and Cons

✔ Is engineered to reduce water and moisture intrusion
✔ Penetrates concrete rapidly without changing its appearance
✔ Covers up to 250 square feet per coat

✘ Works best if you apply multiple coats
✘ Has a water-based formula that doesn’t last as long as thicker sealers

What Customers Are Saying

According to our consumer-based research, customers found this penetrating concrete sealer to be easy to apply. They also said that it provided superior resistance to stains and other blemishes. However, a minority of reviewers said they experienced water leaks through cinder blocks and other gaps in their concrete features. Others stated that the provided instructions were unclear and incomplete.

Best Glossy Concrete Sealer: Black Diamond Stoneworks Stone Sealer

Pros and Cons

✔ Is suitable for concrete, slate, brick, and stone
✔ Has a minimal odor
✔ Gives surfaces a wet look without darkening them

✘ Can’t be applied to surfaces in direct sunlight
✘ Isn’t approved for polished granite or marble application

What Customers Are Saying

Our team found reviews by numerous customers who were pleased with the value of this concrete sealer, stating that one bottle covered large surfaces in their entirety. Users were also pleased with its glossy shine and fast drying time. Alternatively, we learned that a few customers were dissatisfied, reporting that their concrete and stone surfaces only looked glossy for a few days. Others shared that the finish turned hazy after six months and stopped repelling oils and other liquids.

Best Concrete Sealer for Basements: RadonSeal Concrete Sealer

Pros and Cons

✔ Doesn’t create a surface film
✔ Has a water-based formula that’s free from volatile organic compounds
✔ Is resistant to hydrostatic water pressure

✘ Is only available in a 5-gallon bucket
✘ Doesn’t work as well on concrete that’s over 20 years old

What Customers Are Saying

Per our research into buyer reviews, customers praised this concrete sealer for its versatility, citing that the radon-mitigating and sealing qualities were ideal for renovating basements. Many were also pleased with the penetrating formula. Others believed that hiring a radon mitigation professional would prove more effective than using a concrete sealer.

Concrete Sealer Buying Guide

To keep the concrete features around your home in good condition for years to come, it’s important to seal them with the proper type of concrete sealer. If you’re unsure about which one to use, take a look at the information below.

Concrete Sealer Type

There are three main types of concrete sealing products:

Acrylic Sealer

Acrylic provides solid protection at a reasonably inexpensive price point. For increased durability, you can blend acrylic-based concrete sealers with epoxy, silicone, or polyurethane.

Try to look for virgin or pure acrylic rather than styrene acrylic. The latter is known to develop a yellow color under direct sunlight.

Epoxy Sealer

Also known as polyurethane sealers, epoxy sealants cost more than acrylic ones. However, rather than providing a soft finish that lasts one to three years, a quality epoxy sealer can protect your concrete for five to 10 years. Though durable, they limit a surface’s permeability because they’re considerably thick.

Penetrating Sealer

Specialty resins, such as silicones, siloxanes, and silanes, mix to create a sealer that penetrates deep beneath the surface of the concrete. This chemical barrier acts as a water repellent, preventing materials like oil, mildew, and other contaminants from damaging the concrete. We recommend penetrating sealers where stains are common, such as on a concrete driveway or garage floors.

Sealer Amount

Consider how much area you must cover and how many coats of sealer the job will require. The area a concrete sealer covers is typically measured in square feet. You can usually purchase concrete sealers in containers ranging from 1 quart to 5 gallons in size.

Packaging

Many sealers come in a bottle with a cap. On the other hand, heavy-duty, commercial-grade concrete sealers may come in a large bucket or barrel. Generally, smaller containers are easier to open and pour. You want to avoid accidentally spilling too much sealer in an area where it’s not needed.

Concrete Sealer Drying Time

Depending on the weather conditions, the average drying time for concrete sealers is about 2 hours. However, overcast weather or high humidity could extend the drying time to 3–4 hours.

Indoor Applications

Water-based sealers are the way to go for indoor concrete surfaces. This is because they don’t contain as many flammable, potent chemicals. However, you can still apply solvent-based acrylic sealers indoors if there’s proper ventilation.

Sealer Life Expectancy

The longevity of your concrete sealer is largely determined by how well it’s applied and maintained. Thick, premium sealers, such as epoxies and urethanes, generally outlast acrylic sealers by at least a few years.

How To Maintain Your Concrete Surfaces

Applying a high-quality concrete sealer is important, but it’s only one of the necessary steps to take when you’re caring for your driveway, patio, walkway, garage floor, and other concrete surfaces. Here are some other tips for cleaning and maintaining the concrete around your home:

• Use a pressure washer: Pressure washing gives you the satisfaction of seeing built-up grime wash away instantly. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can rent one from a home improvement store or borrow one from a neighbor.
• Clean spills: Immediately address any food, oil, or other spills on your concrete surfaces. A good concrete sealer can only do so much, and the longer the spill sits on your concrete, the more likely it is to stain or seep in.
• Check for cracks: Regularly inspect your concrete for any cracking or deterioration.
• Sweep debris: Though sweeping may not seem like a big deal, it’s key to keeping your concrete looking as good as possible. When you’re doing yard work, make sure to sweep away any excess debris.

FAQ About Concrete Sealers

Why should I seal my concrete?

Without sealant, new concrete is vulnerable to damage from water, salt, oil, sunlight, and more. While you don’t need to seal your concrete surfaces, they last longer when you do.

Is concrete sealer toxic?

Yes and no. Many modern concrete sealers are considered non-toxic, with no volatile organic compounds or a minimal amount.

However, all concrete sealers should be handled carefully because they contain other chemicals that could irritate your eyes, nose, skin, and throat.

How often should I reseal my concrete?

A thorough application of a soft, acrylic-based concrete sealer should last 1–3 years. Epoxy-based concrete sealers tend to last much longer, usually between 5–10 years. How much wear and tear your concrete areas are subjected to affects how frequently they must be resealed.

How do I know if I need to reseal my concrete?

Besides the passage of time itself, there are two telltale signs that it’s time to reseal your concrete:

• The surface of the sealer looks scratched, dull, dirty, or worn, or you notice abrasions or flaking.
• Water no longer beads on the surface of the concrete.

Who This Concrete Sealer Guide Is For

If you’re a first-time DIYer, a seasoned contractor, or somewhere in between, a concrete sealer will be an essential component of your toolkit. Our Reviews Team considered a variety of concrete sealers, including an acrylic concrete sealer, a penetrating concrete sealer, and more.

How We Selected the Best Concrete Sealers

To provide our readers with the best concrete coating recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of sealers with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home improvement space, from ceiling fans and floor coating to doorbell cameras and garage door openers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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