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A penetrating sealer is defined as a sealer that penetrates into the concrete and works below the surface. Penetrating sealers do not change the look or color of the concrete and they do not leave a film or coating on the surface. Most penetrating sealers can be used on all types of concrete driveways including poured concrete, broom finished concrete, stamped concrete, trowel finished concrete, and concrete pavers.

Penetrating Concrete Driveway Sealers

Under the category of penetrating sealers there are three primary categories of sealers:

1. Silicate Densifiers: Densifiers do just that, densify the concrete. They chemically react with the concrete to form CSH within the pores. Silicates do not stop salt damage to concrete and they do not stop water absorption on the surface. Silicates should only be used to increase the surface strength of the concrete, increase the density of the concrete, reduce concrete dusting, and reduce the movement of water through the pores.
   • Armor S2000: Concentrated sodium silicate driveway sealer for porous concrete driveways.
   • Armor L3000: Concentrated lithium silicate driveway sealer for dense concrete driveways.
2. Silane-Siloxane Water Repellents: Silane-Siloxane blend water repellents will repel surface water and other liquids. They protect against salt damage, staining, water absorption, freeze-thaw damage, and more.
   • 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.
3. Siliconate Water Repellents: Siliconate water repellent sealers will repel surface water and other liquids. They offer many of the same benefits as a Silane-Siloxane water repellent sealer, but they can only be applied to light or white concrete. If you apply a siliconate water repellent to brick, pavers, or dark concrete, a white residue will appear on the surface.
   • Armor SC25: 1-coat water based Siliconate water repellent sealer.

Looking for a wet look, low gloss, or  high gloss finish? Instead, consider an acrylic sealer.

How To Seal a Concrete Driveway

The first step to sealing a concrete driveway is cleaning it. You want to make sure that anything that could prevent proper penetration has been removed. Most concrete driveways can easily be cleaned with a pressure washer.

Once the concrete driveway has been cleaned you want to allow it 24-36 hours to dry before sealing. Penetrating driveway sealers can be applied with a roller or sprayer, but sprayers will allow for better coverage and penetration. Two coats are always suggested for best performance.

Resealing a Concrete Driveway

If your concrete driveway is currently sealed, you need to make sure that the new sealer is compatable with the old sealer.

• Silicate Sealer: Any type of penetrating sealer can be applied to a concrete driveway previously sealed with a silicate sealer.
• Silane-Siloxane Sealer: Solvent based Silane-Siloxane sealers and solvent based acrylic sealers can be applied to a concrete driveway previously sealed with a Silane-Siloxane sealer.
• Siliconate Sealer: Solvent based Silane-Siloxane sealers and solvent based acrylic sealers can be applied to a concrete driveway previously sealed with a siliconate sealer.
• Acrylic Sealer: Acrylic sealers can only be recoated with an acrylic sealer. Penetrating concrete sealers can’t be applied over an acrylic sealer. If you have an acrylic sealer down and want to use a penetrating sealer then you need to first remove the acrylic sealer.