Coloured and Clear Concrete Sealers
The versatility and durability of decorative concrete makes it one of the most suitable surfaces for a multitude of environments.
And just as each environment is different, so too are the sealers that are required. Consideration should be given to the look you want to achieve, location, abrasion and chemical resistance, maintenance limitations, site access challenges and slip resistance.
As a long term leading supplier to the industry, CCS is very familiar with these requirements. We are continually researching, testing, modifying and adding sealers to our range - to meet the ever changing needs of the concrete industry throughout Australia and overseas.
Why seal decorative concrete?
- Dramatically improves the appearance of concrete by adding luster and richness. Natural finishes are available as an alternative.
- Protects decorative concrete from the harsh Australian weather.
- Resists the marking effects of dirt, grime, salt, moss and oils.
- Makes concrete much easier to wash and clean.
- Seals the pores in the concrete to restrict flow of lime to the surface.
Choosing the Correct Sealer
When choosing the correct sealer for your project, you may wish to consider the following key points:
- Aesthetics (appearance)
- Cost of the product and application
- Surface Usage - the type and quantity of traffic
- Lifespan and Maintenance
- Slip Resistance.
Types of Sealers
There are four main types of sealers that are applied to concrete. Each of these sealers has different features which make them suitable for particular situations.
- Acrylic Sealers (all purpose coatings)
- Urethanes (extremely tough and durable)
- Penetrating Sealers (penetrates into surface and provides a natural look)
- Epoxies (for internal use) (please refer to the ACS range of coatings and sealers)
Low VOC, environmentally friendly CCS Sealers
Acrylic Sealers (all purpose coatings)
Acrylic sealers, such as CCS Hardseal , are the most widely used and preferred coating in the concrete industry. They are UV resistant, relatively easy to apply, can be applied soon after concrete installation, are economically priced and have excellent recoating abilities.
Acrylic sealers are ideal for exposed aggregate, full depth coloured concrete, stencil concrete, pattern concrete and Stylepave resurfacing systems.
Our Range:-
- CCS Hardseal Advanced
- CCS Hardseal Matt
- CCS Hi-Build Enduro
- CCS Same Day Sealer
- CCS Colour Master Sealer
- CCS Petrol Resistant Sealer
Urethanes (extremely tough and durable)
CCS Urethanes are available in both water based or solvent based formulas. Urethane sealers such as CCS Armourthane and CCS Decrathane , are much thicker than acrylic sealers and are extremely resistant to physical and chemical attack and will usually last several years before needing reapplication.
Their abrasion resistance is approximately 3 to 4 times greater than acrylic sealers. Consequently, they are the ideal sealer for indoor and outdoor areas such as shopping centre walkways, cafe floors, amusement parks and other areas subject to constant pedestrian or light vehicular traffic.
CCS Urethane Sealers are ideal for polished and honed concrete and are an integral component of the CCS Platinum Polished Concrete System
Drawbacks:-
- The emission of a strong odour during application.
- They are relatively sensitive to airborne moisture and therefore need to be applied during daytime.
- When renewing the sealer (after several years), the surface will require sanding to ensure an effective bond to the new coating.
- They are more expensive than acrylic sealers.
The above drawbacks are insignificant for new construction sites, however the use of urethanes for renovating floors in an occupied building, for example, requires consideration.
Our Range:-
Penetrating Sealers (penetrates into surface and provides a natural look)
In contrast to the three other sealers, silane and silane siloxane sealers such as CCS Natural Seal Supreme HV and CCS Streetscape Sealer do not create a coating and are therefore good for surfaces where slip resistance and retaining a natural look may be issues. They are often referred to as 'penetrating' sealers because they absorb into the concrete to repel the ingress of moisture while allowing vapour to escape from the inside of the surface.
For larger pedestrian and public eating areas, where staining may be an issue, CCS Streetscape Sealer and the premium CCS Stain Block offer excellent resistance to oil based stains. CCS Stain Block also offers excellent resistance against food stains and stains left from chewing gum residue.
Although they can be used for horizontal surfaces, silane based sealers such as CCS Natural Seal Supreme are most commonly used for coating exterior vertical walls - to stop wind driven rain and salt from penetrating the concrete and causing the reinforcing steel to rust and eventually spall the concrete.
Also in the CCS penetrating sealer range is the water based CCS Densifier. CCS Densifier works to harden, densify and dustproof concrete floors. When applied, the sealer imparts a low sheen which enhances the appearance of the concrete while retaining a natural look.
Because of their excellent penetrative nature, CCS penetrating concrete sealers will not alter the general appearance or texture of decorative concrete (Note:- CCS Streetscape Sealer and CCS Densifier will impart a low sheen which may make the surface slightly darker). Hence, if you want to gain the benefits of sealing concrete but desire the natural look, CCS penetrating concrete sealers are ideal and in many cases, they can also be used for protecting and sealing concrete pavers, natural stone and porous tiles.
Please refer to individual data sheet links below or call your nearest office for further information.
Our Range:-
The difference between penetrating sealers and coating sealers
Penetrating Sealers - such as CCS Natural Seal Supreme HV and CCS Streetscape Sealer are silicone based and protect concrete by penetrating into the capillaries of the concrete - rather than lying on the surface. Penetrating sealers repel moisture and at the same time allow the transmission of vapour from within the concrete or structure. Penetrating sealers are used on both floors and vertical walls of concrete buildings. Often a penetrating sealer is applied to vertical concrete walls, to protect them from the ingress of driving rain and airborne salts which can ultimately attack the steel reinforcing contained in the concrete.
Because they don't alter the texture of the concrete, penetrating sealers such as CCS Streetscape Sealer and CCS Stain Block are ideal for horizontal surfaces where slip resistance may be an issue. These two products also contain special fluro polymers and additives which effectively protects the surface from the ingress of water and oil based stains.
Coating Sealers - effectively cover as well as penetrate into the surface of concrete. Coating sealers are usually diluted in solvent, which ultimately helps them to seep into the concrete. The solvent soon evaporates allowing the residual resin to dry anchor into the concrete surface.
Sealers that coat rather than penetrate, generally provide better resistance against abrasion and the ingress of dirt. Many of the 'coating sealers' create a 'wet look'. If the 'wet look' is not desired then the penetrating sealers are the best alternative.