Our last blog post focused on the different options you have to add color to your concrete floor. But after all that hard work is done, your floor needs to be protected. There are two basic options: penetrating polish sealer and topical sealer.

Polished Concrete Floor Sealer

Polished concrete floors have become very popular in the last few years for their extreme durability and benefits. Polishing a concrete floor is very similar to re-finishing a wood floor as you start with a low grit abrasive to “sand” the concrete floor. We progressively polish the surface with abrasives until a smooth or reflective surface is present. The floor is then typically sealed with a concrete densifier and penetrating stain guard treatment.

These products soak into the pores of the concrete and create a harder denser surface. This creates one of the most durable and scratch resistant floors that can be installed. You can see these type of sealers in action in warehouses, and places such as Costco, Kroger, and Menards.

These sealers can also be used along with stains, dyes, and higher level diamond abrasives to offer colorful, high-end floor treatments that can offer finishes from soft satin sheens up to a mirror shine.

Pros

  • Very durable & scratch resistant
  • Long-term – Low Maintenance Floor for Industrial and Commercial Clients
  • Various Finish Levels
  • Offers a breathable floor that will not trap moisture or peel over time
  • Great for residential basements

Cons

  • Porous surface
  • Not good for chemical spill areas or outdoors
  • Not good for areas exposed to de-icing salts or garages

Sealed Concrete

Sealed concrete involves applying a sealer to the surface of the concrete. This type of sealer forms a membrane topically on the concrete (as opposed to penetrating in the porous concrete). This sealer then provides all the protection to the concrete floor. There are various types of topical sealers and these include acrylics, epoxies, and urethanes.

Pros

  • Great chemical and salt resistance
  • Great protection for cement-based overlays

Cons

  • Hard to repair or recoat
  • Can scratch easily
  • Can trap moisture
  • Can peel or delaminate if not properly applied

To learn more about how to keep these coatings from failing, peeling or trapping moisture check out our article here.