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The best concrete sealer for driveways depends on the type of concrete driveway and the reason for sealing. From penetrating concrete sealers and water repellents, to wet look and high gloss sealers, the industry offers a wide range of concrete sealers for driveways.

Penetrating Concrete Driveway Sealers

Penetrating concrete sealers work entirely below the surface and are not designed to change the look or color of the concrete. They below the surface from within the pores to provides years of protection against the damaging effects of water absorption, snow and ice, freeze-thaw cycles, salt, and mold and mildew. Sealers are great to use if you are looking to reduce damage and deterioration caused by water absorption and surface abrasion.

Under the category of penetrating sealers there are Surface Hardeners and Densifiers, and Water Repellent Sealers. Surface hardeners and Densifiers are silicate based sealers, usually sodium or lithium. They are designed to increase the strength and density of the concrete. Densifiers are good to use if you are concerned about the strength of your concrete, or if your concrete is old and deteriorating. If you have a fairly new concrete driveway, or if your driveway is in like-new condition, a Densifier isn’t usually necessary. If you are considering a Densifier, consider the Armor S2000 or Armor L3000. They are concentrated Densifiers making them a cost effective solution.

• Armor S2000: Concentrated sodium silicate driveway sealer for porous concrete driveways.
• Armor L3000: Concentrated lithium silicate driveway sealer for dense concrete driveways.

Densifiers do not seal – it is important to understand that while a Densifier will increase the strength, it won’t protect the concrete from water absorption, snow and ice, salt, mold and mildew, and staining. For that, you need a water repellent sealer.

Water repellent sealers can be applied alone, or they can be applied over concrete that has been previously sealed with a Densifier. Water repellent sealers will cause water and liquids to bead off the surface, and prevent penetration deep into the pores. They can last for 5-10 years and will prevent deterioration such as cracking, spalling, and pitting.

Under the category of Water Repellent Concrete Sealer there are Silanes, Siloxanes, Silane-Siloxane blends, and Siliconates. I would choose a Silane-Siloxane blend over a Silane or Siloxane because a blend will take the best of each type of sealer without the weakness. Silane-Siloxane blend sealers tend to have more active materials, will work harder below and above the surface, and will yield a longer life. For example, the Armor SX5000 Water Repellent Sealer is approved by the Department of Transportation as a water repellent sealer in several states. It is a 40% solids Silane-Siloxane (which is 10 X more active materials than other product in the industry). It will outlast and outperform most other Silane sealers and Siloxane sealers. The Armor SX5000 retails for $225 for a 5 gallon pail, but it will last up to 10 years. As a cost effective alternative, the Armor SC25 Siliconate Water Repellent is a Siliconate water repellent. While the SC25 isn’t as industrial as the SX5000, it will still offer many of the same benefits and years of life. The SC25 requires only one coat – it starts working almost immediately and will stop a second coat from absorbing into the concrete. It is great for homeowners and contractors on a tight time frame, or budget. Siliconate water repellent sealers can only be applied to white or very light concrete. If applied to a dark or colored concrete driveway, or to bricks or pavers, a white residue can form on the surface.

• Armor SX5000: Solvent based Silane-Siloxane driveway sealer. DOT approved, high solids, 10 year life.
• Armor SX5000 WB: Water based Silane-Siloxane driveway sealer. DOT approved, high solids, 10 year life.
• Armor SC25: Water based siliconate water repellent sealer.

Wet Look and High Gloss Driveway Sealers

Wet look and high gloss driveway sealers are acrylic based sealers for concrete driveways. They are designed to penetrate in order to bond, but will leave behind a visible surface film. While sealers are designed to reduce damage and deterioration, coatings are designed to stop damage and deterioration.

If you like what your driveway looks like when wet, then you wan ta solvent based acrylic sealer. If you don’t want the surface to be darkened, but you want a high gloss finish, then you want a water based acrylic sealer.

• Armor AR350: Solvent based wet look driveway sealer with a low gloss finish.
• Armor AR500: Solvent based wet look driveway sealer with a high gloss finish.
• Armor WB25: Water based driveway sealer with a high gloss finish.