Concrete Sealers, Architectural Concrete
Architectural concrete is conventional concrete that has been colored, stained, stamped, saw-cut, or sandblasted to create a creative effect or to simulate tile, stone or brick.
By Craig Park
for a high quality architectural concrete installation is the selection of the right sealer. From chemical staining, discoloring, and the day-to-day abuses these surfaces receive, choosing a sealer can make or break the entire project. So, what do you need to look for in a sealer, and how do you match the right sealer to your type of project and environment?
Architectural concrete is conventional concrete that has been colored, stained, stamped, saw-cut, or sandblasted to create a creative effect or to simulate tile, stone or brick. It can also be polymer-modified — the addition of a 1/8 to 1/2 inch decorative overlay topping — which can also be colored, stamped or stained to create the desired finish and look. Clear sealer finishes for these surfaces come in many different formulations and levels of durability, and can be applied to both architectural concrete and to polymer-modified cement overlays.
Concrete sealers provide added protection and may, if applied properly, extend the usable life of an installation. There are many sealer options made from gum resins, linseed oil, silicone derivatives (e.g., silane, siloxane, and siliconate), epoxy, acrylic, urethane, and polyurethane. Less common, and generally more expensive, hybrids like methylmethacrylate (MMA) and polyurea sealers are also options. Both water-based (typically low-solid penetratives) and solvenated (typically high-solid, high-build) coating solutions are available. Single-component and two- (or three-) component mixes are also options to be considered.
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