You have four types of concrete sealers to choose from. Choose depending on what type of concrete surface you got and where it is applied, also for you to know what kind of concrete refinishing contractors to hire.
When looking closer at each type of concrete sealers Las Vegas, here are factors that you need to identify in terms of the sealers’ functions and form.
- Type of finish
- How it works, functions
- How it works, installation
- Uses
Learn more about concrete sealers ahead!
4 Common types of Concrete Sealers You Need to Know
Wherever you got concrete floors, indoors and outdoors, it’s a must that you let that go with concrete sealers. There are four types or categories that you should know.
- Penetrating sealers
- Epoxy
- Polyurethane
- Acrylic
Where could be your flooring fit?
1- Penetrating Concrete Sealers
With penetrating sealers, you got the specific types, namely:
- Saline
- Silicate
- Siloxanes
Used where:
Penetrating concrete sealers are often used among exterior concrete. Usually, it is applied for the surface areas where concrete has corrosion. Also, it is best to use penetrating sealers to concrete floors with a matte finish.
How it works:
The sealer reacts chemically on the layers of the concrete, the reason why it’s called penetrating sealer. These sealers cover the pores of the concrete, and the floors get protection from stains, cracks, and other damaging compounds that may hit the surface.
2- Epoxy sealers
Epoxy flooring Las Vegas usually comes in two-parts where they blend, followed by its application on the surface. The resin combined with hardener is responsible for creating a durable floor coating.
There are several forms and variants of epoxy. Here are the common ones:
- Self-leveling epoxy
- Vapor barrier epoxy
- Flake-chip epoxy
- Metallic epoxy
Used where:
Epoxy sealers are regular among garages. Usually, epoxy is the best choice for high functioning areas that need low maintenance. You apply epoxy in the following areas:
- Manufacturing lab
- Forklift areas
- Hospital and clinic
- Food laboratories
- Gymnasiums
- Aeronautic spaces
How it works:
The resin and hardener compounds create one solid material when the product touches the concrete surface. The coating material cures fast, making it a very effective adhesive material that combines hard surfaces and bonds them for a long time. The coating turns into a solid layer that increases the strength of concrete flooring.
The epoxy coating seals the floors’ porous slabs. That is one reason why this is the best floor coating among highly sanitized spaces like hospitals and aerospace labs.
3- Polyurethane Coatings
One of the latest advancements of the flooring market is the invention of polyurea-polyaspartic floors. It is a hybrid of urethane compounds and synthetic polymers.
Where is it used:
Polyurea floor coatings are frequently used in driveway refinish and garage areas. This is the absolute flooring partner of spaces that are often exposed to heat and hard chemicals.
How it works:
Polyurea is synthetic resins that harden fast. The polyurea-polyaspratic coatings have a shorter curing time than epoxy. The aliphatic compound, polyaspartic, is added into it to superfast the curing time.
The polyurethane coatings come out as thin film coatings that enhance every flooring’s function—sealing the surface for better resistance from both moisture and heat.
4- Acrylic coatings
Of all the coating materials mentioned above, this is probably the most conventional type of coating. Simplify all the features of polyurethane coatings, and you got the acrylic coating explained for you.
Where is it used:
Acrylic is best used for spaces that need an easy application to form a thin protective coating on the surface.
You can go for acrylic flooring surfaces for both exterior and interior floors. For simple non-slip applications and waterproofing for outdoor decks and floorings, acrylic is the best to go for.
How it works:
Acrylic is both available to use with solvent or water-based formulations. If you are using acrylic coatings, you have the freedom to control the degree of thickness, depending on how much the surface material requires.