{"id":13943,"date":"2022-02-03T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2022-02-03T08:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resin-expert.com\/?p=13943"},"modified":"2023-04-06T13:41:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T13:41:01","slug":"best-paving-sealer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resin-expert.com\/en\/guide\/best-paving-sealer","title":{"rendered":"Best Paving Sealer – Protecting Your Brick, Stone, and Concrete Pavers"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is the best sealer for pavers? For hundreds of years, we\u2019ve been obsessed with paving. As a species, we have had paved roads since around 6000 BC, and we\u2019ve come a long way since we managed to arrange cobblestone for our horses and carts to amble along. While paving, the quality of the stone used to make them is important, even more so is the type and quality of sealer used to seal your paving. This being said, let\u2019s have a look at why you should be sealing your paving, what a good sealer should offer you, and what some of the good sealers on the market right now look like.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Why Should You Seal Your Paving?<\/h2>\n

Should you buy sealer for pavers? In the interest of maintaining your paving and ensuring that you don\u2019t buckle the wheels of your car, you should always seal any paving that has been installed, especially if your paving is exposed to conditions that could possibly cause degradation like water and sunlight, as most home and office paved areas are.<\/p>\n

\"Vehicle<\/p>\n

Why should you seal your pavers though? Paving, in general, is seen as an investment, if not a financial one then one that ensures that you have a low maintenance surface for the foreseeable future that in all honesty will likely outlast you and anything else you own. Seems like a good investment, right?<\/p>\n

\"Sealed<\/p>\n

So why wouldn\u2019t you want to protect this worthwhile investment? Well, if you\u2019ve never owned paved surfaces before, or recently found yourself having to live with them, you probably don\u2019t know much about them. Paving, although tough, is susceptible to all sorts of damage, from water damage to UV damage and even general erosion can cause considerable damage to your paving.<\/p>\n

\"Matte-Finish<\/p>\n

This type of damage won\u2019t be apparent immediately, but if you monitor unpaved surfaces over the course of a few months you’ll notice signs of erosion and degradation which can become even further exacerbated as time goes on.<\/p>\n

\"Sealant<\/p>\n

What does sealer for pavers do to protect your surfaces from erosion? As the name suggests, sealer seals<\/em>\u00a0the surface of your paving for exterior forces and more importantly seals in the soil beneath the paving which ensures that things like weeds and sprouts don\u2019t have the opportunity to germinate and pop up between the gaps in your paving.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The sealer actually fills the gaps between your pavers and seals them completely, which not only prevents things from popping up or getting stuck between them but also ensures that your pavers don\u2019t shift out of position over time.<\/p>\n

\"Weeds-in-Paving\"<\/p>\n

Paver sealer does more than ensure that plants don’t pop through your pavers; they also ensure that your paving stays in one place and doesn’t crack. If you\u2019ve ever tried to clean up things like motor oil or house paint from a paved surface you know that it can be extremely challenging.<\/p>\n

Paver sealer creates a protective barrier over the surface of your paving, which makes these little accidents much easier to clean up, this is because substances don\u2019t get the chance to seep into the pores or into the gaps between your pavers.<\/p>\n

\"Sealed<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering if applying paver sealer by yourself is a good idea, it really depends on your skill level and how comfortable you are with an exercise of this scale. Paver sealer is pretty expensive, and if applied incorrectly you would need to remove everything and start again, which is labor-intensive, to say the least.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This being said, applying paver sealer on your own isn\u2019t impossible, and you might even save a few bucks doing it on your own. Besides, nothing beats the feeling of looking at a well-paved surface knowing you did it all on your own. If you do decide to take a shot doing it on your own, remember to read up on the type of paving you\u2019ll be working with and which type of paver sealant suits it best.<\/p>\n

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Types of Paver Sealer<\/h2>\n

While sealer might be a sealer to you right now, there are, in fact, different types of sealers available for different surfaces and various applications. Different sealer types have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the conditions they\u2019re exposed to at a given time and the material they\u2019re coating. This being said, let’s have a look at the different types of sealer available to you and how you can exploit their properties to protect your pavers and any other surface you find that might need some protection. Even though pavers are available in a variety of colors and textures, there are primarily two types of pavers that are used for home or commercial applications. Let\u2019s have a look at them.<\/p>\n

\"Types<\/p>\n

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Film-Forming Sealers<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a sealer that\u2019s easy to apply and gets the job done, then this type of sealer might be what you\u2019re looking for. Film-forming sealers (as their name suggests) form a layer of resin over the surface of your pavers that protect them from things like general erosion, moisture, UV exposure, and the odd spill.<\/p>\n

These types of paving sealers are readily available and don\u2019t really need any prior experience to apply, although you\u2019d be doing yourself a favor if you looked at a tutorial or two. These types of sealers are also the easiest to maintain of the two sealer types, which means you won\u2019t have to get a professional to do the job for you every few years.<\/p>\n

\"Sealed<\/p>\n

Film-forming sealer does affect the texture of your pavers ever so slightly, so if you\u2019re a purist, and love the feel of stone, this might not be the best option for you.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Penetrating Sealers<\/h3>\n

On the other end of the spectrum, we have what is known as penetrating sealers. The primary difference between this type of sealer and film-forming sealers that we mentioned previously is that they penetrate far beneath the surface of the stone in an attempt to protect them from their immediate environment.<\/p>\n

Just like the film-forming sealers, these do protect the surface of your pavers from moisture, oil, UV damage, and general erosion, but they also penetrate deeply into the pores of a stone to ensure that nothing gets into these little recesses.<\/p>\n

\"Sealant<\/p>\n

Penetrating sealer is often used on natural stone finishes like marble or granite<\/a> flooring because it allows them to retain their texture while offering the same level of protection that film-forming ones do.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This type of paver sealant can be more challenging to apply which is why most people simply have it done by a professional, but this doesn\u2019t mean that it’s impossible to do on your own, it simply requires great focus and precision. Penetrating sealers can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications.<\/p>\n

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Solvent-Based Sealers<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re an environmentalist interested in paver sealers have some bad news for you. All sealers (to some degree) contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Solvent-based sealers in particular contain these in high amounts which means they aren\u2019t great when topics like greenhouse gas emissions and smog come up in conversation.<\/p>\n

Why are they still used then? Well, like most things that are harmful to the environment, they are useful, and it\u2019s been difficult for manufacturers to find a suitable replacement for them throughout the years. This being said, there are other types of sealer available that offer varying levels of protection against external forces.<\/p>\n

\"Sheen<\/p>\n

This sealer is unique in its finish, it is highly resistant to things like moisture and oil spillage which is great if you haven\u2019t taken your car for service recently, but it also offers a finish that tends to have a strong sheen. This is awesome if you have a stone or brick finish that you\u2019d like to preserve like marble or granite, but you will sacrifice the feel of the stone due to how thick solvent-based sealers tend to cure.<\/p>\n

Cleaning up solvent-based sealer can be a real challenge too, considering the fact that it does not degrade when it comes into contact with water or oil. You won\u2019t get everything off simply scraping it either, as it\u2019s kind of designed to be impervious to abrasion and impact.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thus you\u2019ll likely have to get your hands on a solvent conducive to removing the particular type of solvent that was used as the base for your sealer if you make a mistake applying it.<\/p>\n

Tricky, right? Maybe, but solvent-based sealers do offer what is essentially a lifetime of protection against wear and tear and are available in both surface and penetrating variations, so it tends to be well worth the drawbacks.<\/p>\n

\"Tire<\/p>\n

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Water-Based Sealers<\/h3>\n

In woodworking and crafting, there are loads of water-based coals which are used to coat workpieces for both protective and aesthetic needs. These coatings are typically known as acrylic or latex-based coatings as they are thinner and contain far less volatile organic compounds compared to coatings like oil-based and solvent-based sealants.<\/p>\n

Water-based sealants work a bit differently compared to most sealers. Although water-based sealants contain water, this component does not form part of the protective layer,\u00a0 nor does it play a role in impregnating the surface of the workpiece.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Sealer<\/p>\n

Instead, water-based sealers use water as a catalyst for ease of application, so once the sealer has been applied to the surface of your workpiece, the water evaporates and the sealer itself moves closer together causing the substance to become denser, which inevitably leads it to sink into the pores and crevices of the workpiece.<\/p>\n

Applying water-based sealer can be a bit disconcerting, it tends to look off-white in appearance and might not look like it’s doing much of a job sealing your surface, but once it\u2019s been spread and allowed to set and cure, you\u2019ll be on your way to a well-protected surface.<\/p>\n

\"Water-Based<\/p>\n

Water-based sealers actually cure clear, which means you\u2019ll be able to see the paver underneath, and what\u2019s more is that they usually have a matt finish which is perfect if you\u2019re in the market for a look that\u2019s sophisticated yet understated.<\/p>\n

Water-based sealers are a great alternative to solvent-based ones because they contain far fewer VOCs, they also have less of an odor, and are significantly easier to clean up compared to other sealer types.<\/p>\n

Because they contain fewer VOCs, water-based sealers are less likely to interact with other substances negatively, therefore they are less flammable and less likely to act as an irritant.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Polyurethane-Based Sealers<\/h3>\n

Polyurethane sealers have been around for a really, really long time. In the woodworking industry, professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike swear by this seemingly miracle sealer. Polyurethane is really easy to apply and creates an air-tight seal between the surface in question and the immediate atmosphere.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t conducive for stone types that need to breathe, but for things like brick and limestone, it\u2019s the perfect sealant that preserves the aesthetic impact of your paver while providing a non-yellowing coating capable of protecting your workpiece from oil, water, UV damage, abrasion, impact, and is resistant to damage from fires.<\/p>\n

\"High-Gloss<\/p>\n

The great thing about having a sealer like this lying around is that you won\u2019t be limited to using it on pavers alone, in fact, you could use this sealer to seal up your wooden furnishings, doors, windowsills, and exterior decks. All without half the trouble you would face when attempting to use a dedicated sealer for the job.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Polyurethane sealers are available in both solvent and water-based variants and are readily available for purchase both online and in-store. Polyurethane sealers are capable of being tinted too, so if you\u2019re ever in the mood for something unique you can add a bit of color to your polyurethane (PU) coating which will change when your surface interacts with natural or artificial light sources.<\/p>\n

Because this type of sealer is so robust, you can usually find it in high traffic areas, it’s also easy to maintain and doesn\u2019t create as much of a mess as one might expect from polyurethane. In fact, polyurethane coatings are resistant to chemical damage too! This means you can use regular cleaning chemicals without having to worry yourself about it eating away at your sealer.<\/p>\n

\"Sealant<\/p>\n

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Sealer Comparison<\/h2>\n

Now that you know what some of the key differences between water-based sealers and solvent-based sealers are, you\u2019re probably wondering how they stack up against each other. Rather than you having to sort through their characteristics yourself, we\u2019ve made a nifty little table so it’s that much easier for you to decide which sealer type is best for your next paver project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Characteristics<\/strong><\/td>\nSolvent-Based Sealant<\/strong><\/td>\nWater-Based Sealant<\/strong><\/td>\nPolyurethane-Based Sealant<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water-Resistant<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oil-Resistant<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UV Blocking<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Easy to Apply<\/td>\n\u2718<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contains VOCs<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0(Very few)<\/td>\n\u00a0(Very few)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Graded for Indoor and Outdoor Use<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Penetrates Surface of Pavers<\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2714<\/span><\/td>\n\u2718<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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What Is the Best Paving Sealer on the Market?<\/h2>\n

What is the best paving sealer? Paver sealers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and types. While it\u2019s easy to assume that these are the only differences between paver sealers, they can also vary considerably in quality and durability. We\u2019ve decided to provide you with some of the best paver sealers money can buy, so have a look at these three paver sealer reviews and decide whether they\u2019re cut out for your next paving project.<\/p>\n

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Best Overall: DOMINATOR LG+ Wet Look, Color-Enhancing Low Gloss Paver Sealer<\/h3>\n

There are products that claim to do a really good job but when you get down to it, they simply don\u2019t live up to all the hype they\u2019ve built up around themselves. The Dominator team seems to have gone out of their way to ensure that this is not the case with their low gloss paver sealer solution.<\/p>\n

This high-quality paver sealer seems to have gone above and beyond in an effort to protect your pavers from virtually any force they might come up against (within reason). Like most paver sealers Dominator provides protection for your pavers against things like moisture, oil, UV damage, abrasion, impact, and even chemical damage.<\/p>\n

This sealer is perfect if you\u2019re looking for a professional finish without the hassle of having to hire someone to do it for you and to make it worth your while, this particular sealer from the dominator team provides you with a long-lasting coat so you\u2019ll avoid touch-ups and maintenance for as long as possible.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you\u2019re looking to seal up some exposed paving, this is one of the best paver sealer products on the market, especially for beginners! Dominator\u2019s paver sealer can be applied with a sprayer which makes it the ideal package for beginners that don\u2019t have the time or skills to apply their sealer with a roller or brush.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, is that dominators sealer contains little to no VOCs and can be applied indoors without the need for air fresheners or having your air-conditioning on full blast thanks to its low odor formula.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also the ideal sealer to have if you\u2019re pressed for time or have a time-sensitive project that you need to get out of. How so? Dominators have Designed their wet look sealer to be fast-drying, and if you still aren\u2019t impressing, this particular sealer from the Dominator team comes equipped with a color enhancing formula to ensure that you have the best finish for all of the pavers you treat.<\/p>\n