Across the country, pavers are quickly gaining popularity for use in all types of outdoor projects. Driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks and retaining walls are just a few examples of their versatility. Unfortunately, many hardscape contractors have marketed pavers as a "maintenance free" alternative to concrete and other surfaces. Even though paver construction is quite durable, it is far from maintenance free. Over time, water, moisture, salts and erosion can cause big problems for pavers.
Sealing your pavers will protect and enhance the color of your pavers while stopping water and salt damage to the surface. Certain sealers can also seal and stabilize the sand joints between the pavers, reducing erosion of the sand and weed growth. Efflorescence is also a big problem with pavers. It is caused by moisture moving through the paver and dissolving the natural salts and minerals inside. A paver sealer will greatly reduce water penetration and can often stop the effects of efflorescence completely.
Concrete pavers are produced in an endless number of colors, sizes and compositions. Most are made with gray cement and colored with integral pigments added to the mix. These are the most common type of brick pavers used in outdoor hardscapes such as paver patios, paver driveways and paver sidewalks. Sealing your pavers will protect the pavers and sand joints, while making cleaning much easier. We have sealers available to enhance the color and provide a beautiful wet look, as well as penetrating sealers that protect while leaving a completely natural appearance. Most paver sealers are compatible with most clean, un-sealed concrete pavers, but if your pavers have been previously sealed, you should always test for compatibility before application.
- These are nothing more than acrylic concrete sealers that have been re-marketed as a "paver" sealer. You should avoid this type of product at all cost. Although this type of sealer may make your pavers look wet and shiny the day it's applied, this beauty is usually quickly replaced by disaster. Pavers are a unique substrate that is designed to be porous. This porous nature, combined with the fact that they are sitting in a bed of sand makes moisture a big issue for pavers. Solvent-based acrylics are not designed to hold up to these high levels of moisture. In fact, they are actually very moisture sensitive and can quickly fail or turn white or milky if applied to pavers with a high level of moisture. Please do yourself a favor and ignore the fake "review sites" just trying to market the products they sell.
Seal-n-Lock Super Wet - This pure urethane is the next generation of wet-look paver sealers. Although slightly more expensive than the simple acrylics described above, this type of paver sealer is superior in almost every way. Urethanes are two-component products that chemically harden like an "epoxy" after you mix part:A and Part:B together. This makes them much harder, more durable and chemical resistant than simple acrylics. Urethanes are also UV stable and will never turn yellow due to UV exposure. Since these urethanes are also water-based, they offer much easier and safer application, without the need for rollers, pans and flammable solvents. So far, we have only found one of these urethanes that performs to our standards, Seal-n-Lock SuperWet. SuperWet comes in a concentrate form, applies easily by sprayer, is legal for sale in all 50 states and is compatible for use over many types of existing sealers. SuperWet can also be applied to damp pavers without the risk of turning white. To maintain protection and appearance, this sealer should have a maintenance coat every 3-4 years. Compared to solvent-based acrylics, these urethanes typically produce a thinner film and slightly lower gloss. Color can also be added directly to this sealer if a tinted application is needed or desired.
Seal-n-Lock Natural Luster - Natural Luster is a single component, urethane-modified-acrylic. It was designed specifically for situations demanding a high-performance sand-locking sealer, but without the color enhancement or wet-look. This sealer leaves a natural appearance with a soft matte finish. Natural Luster is also water-based and offers an easy, safe application, without the need for rollers, pans and flammable solvents. So far, we have only found one of these urethane-modified-acrylics that performs to our standards, Seal-n-Lock Natural Luster. Natural Luster comes in a concentrate form, applies easily by sprayer, is legal for sale in all states except CA, and is compatible for use over many types of existing sealers. Natural Luster can also be applied to damp pavers without the risk of turning white. To maintain protection and appearance, this sealer should have a maintenance coat every 3-4 years. Color can also be added directly to this sealer if a tinted application is needed or desired.
Clay or brick pavers are used in many of the same applications as concrete pavers, but are very different in composition. Clay pavers are made of hard, dense fired clay. They are less porous and their color is natural and permanent throughout. Unless you simply MUST HAVE a "wet look" sealer, we highly recommend only using penetrating sealers on clay paver applications.
Seal-n-Lock Super Wet - This pure urethane is the next generation of wet-look paver sealers. Although slightly more expensive than the simple acrylics described above, this type of paver sealer is superior in almost every way. Urethanes are two-component products that chemically harden like an "epoxy" after you mix part:A and Part:B together. This makes them much harder, more durable and chemical resistant than simple acrylics. Urethanes are also UV stable and will never turn yellow due to UV exposure. Since these urethanes are also water-based, they offer much easier and safer application, without the need for rollers, pans and flammable solvents. So far, we have only found one of these urethanes that performs to our standards, Seal-n-Lock SuperWet. SuperWet comes in a concentrate form, applies easily by sprayer, is legal for sale in all 50 states and is compatible for use over many types of existing sealers. SuperWet can also be applied to damp pavers without the risk of turning white. To maintain protection and appearance, this sealer should have a maintenance coat every 3-4 years.
Seal-n-Lock Natural Luster - Natural Luster is a single component, urethane-modified-acrylic. It was designed specifically for situations demanding a high-performance sand-locking sealer, but without the color enhancement or wet-look. This sealer leaves a natural appearance with a soft matte finish. Natural Luster is also water-based and offers an easy, safe application, without the need for rollers, pans and flammable solvents. So far, we have only found one of these urethane-modified-acrylics that performs to our standards, Seal-n-Lock Natural Luster. Natural Luster comes in a concentrate form, applies easily by sprayer, is legal for sale in all states except CA, and is compatible for use over many types of existing sealers. Natural Luster can also be applied to damp pavers without the risk of turning white. To maintain protection and appearance, this sealer should have a maintenance coat every 3-4 years.