What to Look For When Buying Concrete Sealers for Outdoor Surfaces

Outdoor concrete surfaces—especially those used for pedestrian or vehicle traffic—can be stained or damaged by everyday use. In areas that regularly experience cold and wet winters, the freeze-thaw cycle can widen cracks and create areas of spalling. In order to reduce the possibility of such damage, it is important to pick the best weatherproof coating options. Here is an overview of concrete sealers and how to choose the right one for your outdoor surfaces.

Outdoor Concrete Sealer

At the very basic level is a simple concrete sealer, designed to keep out moisture and protect against minor staining and wear. This type of product is fairly easy to find and is typically used in the residential market for decorative patios or driveways. In most cases, a sealer will not stand up to the demands of an industrial or commercial facility, but for rarely-trafficked surface it’s a step up from no protection at all.

For Durability: Epoxy Coatings

Epoxy floor coatings are durable, water-resistant, and protect surfaces from impacts and abrasions to a much greater degree than a simple sealer. An aggregate such as quartz can be broadcast over the coating as it sets for an anti-slip surface, ideal in wet conditions. Unfortunately, exposure to UV light can damage an epoxy coating, causing it to yellow or appear “chalky.” UV-resistant coatings can be added to the formula to mitigate this, but in general epoxy is not recommended for use in especially sunny areas.

For Next-Level Protection: Urethane-based Coatings

If you’re looking for the next level of protection, you may want to consider a modified urethane coating. Urethane is durable, water-resistant, and can also withstand staining from spilled oils and chemicals. CPC’s crews used a water-based urethane to protect a loading dock and containment area for a client, and were able to add an anti-slip texture to it as well. This particular blend of urethane is typically not available off the shelf, but can be formulated by a floor coating expert depending on your needs.

For Weatherproofing: Waterproof Stadium Coating

For an outdoor surface that must withstand weather as well as foot traffic, your best bet may be a special waterproof deck coating, such as those designed for sports stadiums. These are often reinforced with anti-slip elements that keep pedestrians safe, even in inclement weather. These formulated coatings are sometimes proprietary in nature, so it’s best to contact a concrete flooring expert who can point you in the right direction.

For High Foot Traffic: Elastomeric Coatings

For outdoor surfaces that take a lot of abuse from vehicle traffic, you may consider investing in an elastomeric traffic coating. This type of coating offers one of the highest levels of outdoor concrete protection. The coating forms a kind of membrane over the surface of the concrete, shielding it from damage due to water vapour, ice, impacts, and caustic elements such as salt and chlorides. They can be used to improve older concrete surfaces that already have extensive cracking and deterioration, though special considerations may need to be taken depending on the existing damage.

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