The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Sealers are applied to concrete surfaces to protect them from the elements and extend their useful lifespans. There are two main types of sealers: film-forming varieties that enhance the surface with color and sheen, and penetrating sealers that go into the concrete’s pores and seemingly disappear.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of assisting contractors with thousands of issues—sometimes simple, sometimes baffling, and occasionally the kind that leaves many scratching their heads. What I’ve learned is that every problem tells a story—a story involving timing, chemistry, environment, craftsmanship, or sometimes pure luck. And while troubleshooting […]
A Practical Guide to Coating System Selection In concrete design and construction, few topics generate more confusion than sealers and resinous coatings. These systems are often treated as interchangeable, reduced to brand names or gloss levels, or applied as a last-minute decision once the concrete is already in place. In […]
SANTA MONICA, California – In a land where appearance is everything and price is often no object, it’s natural the developers of a mixed-use project, The Park, would specify a high-end lime-based plaster for the exterior walls, then have it sealed with Stain Defense by Glaze-N-Seal. Providing the materials is […]
Although there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” concrete sealer, Micro-Seal HD from Rain Guard Pro comes close. According to Art Green, owner of Specialized Cleaning Contractors in Buena Park, California, the silane/siloxane repellant is probably his No. 1 go-to product when it comes to penetrating sealers. “I do quite […]
Because of its smoothness and seemingly low-maintenance requirements, polished concrete floors are being requested by increasingly more homeowners and architects. However, this traditional method involves multiple steps of diamond grinding and polishing. Overall, polishing is very invasive. It starts with rougher-grit diamonds and moves to finer grits to achieve a […]
Capitalism is predicated on the idea that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all world. I might want a sportscar while you prefer an SUV. You play softball with the gang on Saturday afternoons while I like to hike nature trails. The same holds true with concrete flooring. While it’d be nice if […]
Looking for a cost-effective flooring system that’s quick to install and easy to keep clean? Then check out Westcoat’s Grind & Seal, a great-looking alternative for polished concrete. The popular system aims to revive and protect plain concrete in commercial establishments from showrooms to restaurants. Depending on the sealer or […]
For such a simple piece of equipment, Fas-Trak Industries Inc.’s Ultra-Trak offers users a lot of flexibility when it comes to applying densifiers and sealers, says Dan Baird, president of Floor Tech Solutions Inc. The automated application system can apply concrete chemicals at a rate of up to 25,000 square […]
Ever since W.R. Meadows launched Decra-Seal Natural in 2018, it secured a unique niche in the penetrating concrete sealer category. The sealer, designed especially for decorative concrete applications, both enhances concrete’s color and repels water. “Without putting a wet look on concrete, it pops the color,” says Jim Becker, product […]
Throughout the course of its lifetime, concrete suffers many different forms of damage. Although concrete sealers add a protective layer to concrete floors and structures to help maximize their durability and minimize moisture permeability, concrete sealer problems can be a source of frustration among contractors. When a concrete sealer doesn’t […]
