A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Concrete Floor Sealers
Concrete floor sealers play a crucial role in protecting and enhancing the durability of concrete floors as well as many other types of substrate. From a natural stone floor to power floated concrete floors in an industrial building, understanding the importance of these concrete sealers is essential.
Each concrete floor sealer has its own unique properties and applications, whether it be to prevent dusting, strengthen the surface, provide water or chemical resistance or simply to increase protection from the damaging effects of ultra-violet light.
With many types of floor sealer available in the market today, it is important to choose the right one for your specific needs, so here are some pointers at the more commonly used sealers, that may be of interest and help to you:
Acrylic Floor Sealers
Popular among contractors and used in commercial areas is our acrylic sealer, Flortex Clearseal, which can be easily applied by brush or roller. Being a water based product, this solvent free concrete sealer is both non toxic and non taint and therefore ideal for internal or confined space applications, especially when in close proximity to personnel or food. It is suitable for internal and external applications and capable of withstanding light vehicular traffic to moderate foot traffic.
Flortex Clearseal is UV resistant, making it a great choice for outdoor surfaces exposed to sunlight. Furthermore, it enhances the colours of the surface, ideal for domestic decorative concrete or block paving driveways. It also prevents moss and plant growth on patio areas.
Epoxy Sealers
If your floors are porous, dusting or delaminating, Polycote EP Primer is the perfect solution. It is an ultra low viscosity resin designed to penetrate well into the concrete floor. Being a 100% solids pure epoxy, and solvent free the product is then able to cure within the concrete, thereby dramatically improving the strength of the concrete as well as completely sealing the surface at the same time!
Epoxy sealers have superior durability and chemical resistance and form a tough gloss finish, easily able to withstand both heavy traffic, harsh chemicals and is easy cleaning . If UV resistance and/or a non-yellowing finish is required, especially in areas such as showrooms and offices, then Flortex Fastset Clear is the quick and easy answer for you.
Epoxy sealers offer far greater chemical and wear resistance and protects the concrete where spills are likely to occur thus helping to protect from the ugly and all-well-too-known oil and grease stains. In addition to their protective properties, epoxy sealers can also enhance the appearance of the concrete by adding a gloss finish. This can be particularly appealing in commercial spaces where aesthetics play a crucial role.
Polyurethane Sealers
Whilst polyurethane concrete sealers are typically more expensive than other floor sealers, it is important to note they are far tougher, offer longer lasting protection and durability, and are easily able to withstand heavy foot and vehicular traffic, thus making them a more serious and long term investment.
Polyurethane floor sealers are a available in both single pack and twin pack formulations. Furthermore, they are also available in matt, satin and gloss finish and offer excellent resistance to abrasion, chemicals, as well as UV rays.
Flortex PU Clear is an extremely tough single pack polyurethane sealer and is excellent in high wear areas. It penetrates well into the substrate, significantly hardening the concrete, completely preventing dusting and dirt and making it much more resistant to heavy traffic and constant use.
Flortex PU Twin Pack is the sealer of choice when wear and tear and ultimately longevity is of major concern. This quick drying floor sealer offers the highest levels of strength and resistance to damage, and being available in three levels of finish, matt, satin, and gloss, will give your floors an ultra modern matt appearance to a ‘polished’ high gloss finish.
This low odour and solvent free formulation is therefore perfect for internal use in offices, showrooms, in almost any industrial, commercial areas and retail environments.
Penetrating Sealers
Whether you need to seal interior floors from dust and liquid spillages or protect outdoor surfaces against water damage and de-icing salts penetrating concrete, floor sealers are an excellent choice. These sealers work by penetrating into the concrete, forming a protective barrier beneath the surface.
It is important to note that most sealers do not penetrate the surface due to being too viscose. Penetrating sealers are specifically designed to penetrate well into the surface which massively helps to increase the strength and wearability of the substrate as well as sealing it at the same time. As a result, they are far superior to a simple surface sealer and offer far greater and longer lasting protection.
Should the surface be worn, loose or weak, our twin pack ultra-low viscosity epoxy, Polycote EP Primer is the ultimate choice of concrete floor sealer as it has been professionally formulated and designed to penetrate and cure deep down into the substrate. However, please note that the depth of penetration is obviously governed by the porosity of the substrate.
Due to the twin pack chemical curing of the resin, these quick drying products will fully cure within the substrate and thus turn the existing ‘plain’ concrete into ’a form of’ epoxy screed!
Oil Contaminated Floors
If you already have oil contaminated floors, especially in industrial garage floors and engineering workshops, the concrete sealer you will need is our OT Primer. Used predominantly to seal and prime a floor prior to it being painted with a top coat, this product can be used as a durable sealer by itself. It is extremely tough and will offer superb adhesion to oil contaminated surfaces, along with a long term protection against any staining from future oil or chemical spillages.
If a screed is to be applied over the area, then broadcast kiln dried sand onto the OT Primer whist wet, to provide a key to which the flooring screed will adhere.
Sealing Floors Suffering From Rising Damp
Rising damp and moisture is a major issue when applying a concrete floor sealer or paint. Our DPM Primer is a highly professional formulation, that has been designed specifically to adhere to damp floors. When fully cured, this will then provide a superb waterproof barrier and long term protection against rising damp. The coverage rates depend upon the severity of the problem along with the porosity of the floor. Two coats are mostly advised, with the second coat being applied at right angles to the first coat.
If a screed is to be applied over the area, then broadcast kiln dried sand onto the DPM Primer whist wet, to provide a key to which the screed will adhere.
Choosing The Right Concrete Sealant
In conclusion, choosing the right concrete sealant is essential for protecting and enhancing your concrete floors. Whether you opt for acrylic, epoxy, penetrating, or polyurethane sealers, each type has its own unique benefits and applications. Consider factors such as foot traffic, exposure to chemicals, and the desired aesthetic appearance when making your decision. By selecting the appropriate sealer, you can ensure that your concrete floors remain beautiful and protected for years to come.
Further Questions?
Polycote UK would like to take the opportunity to thank you for taking an interest in these product and application articles and hope they have been some help to you.
We would of course be pleased to answer any specific questions should you wish to contact us directly on 01234 846400 or email: enquires@polycote.com
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