Give Masonry a Makeover with One of the Best Concrete Sealers (2024)

Our Top Picks

We love the high-shine finish of this effective, versatile sealer from BEHR, which not only protects but also restores the vibrancy of cement, stone, brick, tile, and other masonry surfaces. Once dry, it still looks wet, ideal if you're hoping to brighten up faded masonry walkways, patios, walls, or fireplaces, indoors and out.

You can use the sealer on its own if you want to maintain the natural color of the concrete or other treated surfaces, or you can use it as a topcoat over concrete paint or stain to help keep your paint job looking fresh and new as long as possible. Either way, the acrylic-based sealer dries clear and will not turn yellow. Be aware, however, that it can be slippery when wet, so it is not an ideal choice for a deck around a swimming pool or other frequently wet walkways.

After application, you’ll want to avoid walking on it for a full 24 hours and be sure to wait three days before driving a car over it if sealing a driveway (but it’s applicable to brick and other masonry surfaces, too; just avoid granite or marble). It’s good to apply about two coats via nylon brush, nap roller, or pump sprayer. Maintenance is as easy as cleaning things up with soap and water.

_{Type: Film-forming | Coverage Area: 200-450 square feet | Dry Time: 1 hour | Gloss Level: High shine}

Concrete and other outdoor masonry surfaces must be durable, as they are exposed to temperature extremes, UV rays, rain and snow, organic matter such as mud and algae, and often considerable foot or vehicle traffic. That's why we recommend this penetrating sealer from Foundation Armor: It soaks into the concrete and forms a chemical bond that repels water and stands up to freeze-thaw cycles, rainstorms, and high heat to help your concrete ward off stains, cracks, pits, spalling (peeling or chipping), and algae and moss growth.

If you want to preserve the appearance of this concrete, consider this sealer, as it dries clear and matte. Plus, it isn't slippery, so you can safely use it on your pool deck or other walkways. Of course, you can also use it on concrete floors, walls, pavers, brick, aggregate, and natural stone. But it only works on surfaces free of any previous treatments, be it sealant, paint, stains, or other coatings. You’ll need to remove anything before applying this powerful product.

It dries slightly faster than our overall pick—it’s safe for foot traffic in eight to 12 hours and okay for vehicular traffic in 24 to 48 hours. After 72 hours, you can paint the treated surface with an oil-based or silicone emulsion paint or stain, if you so choose.

_{Type: Penetrating | Coverage Area: 175-250 square feet | Dry Time: 2 hours | Gloss Level: Matte}

The Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek Concrete/Masonry Sealer is an industrial-grade sealant that penetrates deep into the concrete to create a waterproof barrier that resists moisture and salts. This greatly reduces the chances of your concrete surfaces cracking, pitting, or spalling (when concrete chips due to weather), even when exposed to de-icing salt, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy rain, or UV light. Plus, it resists the growth of unsightly mold and mildew.

It's ideal for exterior use on walkways, driveways, walls, garage floors, or pool decks made of poured concrete, concrete pavers, brick, stucco, or natural stone. It can also be used indoors. Once dry, it is completely clear and has a flat finish so that it won't change the color of the underlying surface, nor will it look wet or shiny. The sealer won't leave the surface slippery, so it's safe for high-traffic areas.

We like that you can apply the product with a paint roller, brush, or sprayer, which makes it easier to tailor the application method to your needs and preferences. It will be dry to the touch within four to six hours, ready for pedestrian or vehicle traffic after 24 hours, and fully waterproof within seven days.

_{Type: Penetrating | Coverage Area: 150-400 square feet | Dry Time: 4 hours | Gloss Level: Flat}

Constant exposure to the weather and frequent vehicle traffic can wreak havoc on your concrete driveway, leaving it with cracks, pits, spalling, or stains. It can be even worse in areas that use salt to reduce ice buildup in the winter. To help prevent that and keep your driveway looking its best, apply this penetrating silane/siloxane concrete sealer.

It bonds deep within the concrete to form a barrier that's resistant to water and salt; in fact, once the sealer is fully dry and cured, water will bead on the surface rather than seep down into the concrete, where it can slowly damage the driveway. The sealer also helps to prevent water-based stains, but it will not ward off stains from motor oil or similar items.

A note on application: While you want to soak your driveway with MasonryDefender fully, be sure to avoid puddles pooling in uneven spots, as this can leave stains. It dries clear, has no shine, and won't leave your driveway feeling slippery. It can also be used to protect pathways, patios, and other exterior surfaces.

_{Type: Penetrating | Coverage Area: 90-150 square feet | Dry Time: 6 hours | Gloss Level: Flat}

This acrylic-based film-forming sealer dries to a low-gloss but wet-looking finish, which is ideal when you have dull or faded concrete that you'd like to revive. You can even add a tint if desired to change your concrete's color.

Because the dried sealant can be a little slippery when wet, you should add Foundation Armor's non-slip additive if it's being applied to smooth concrete in an area frequently exposed to water, such as around a swimming pool, or if you want to ensure the best traction possible. However, when applied to concrete that already has texture, that may not be necessary.

Along with its appearance-boosting properties, the sealant provides excellent water- and salt-resistance to the concrete. Note that this sealant is only for poured or stamped concrete surfaces and pavers; do not apply it to brick, clay, flagstone, or natural stone surfaces. It can be used on unsealed concrete or concrete previously sealed with a solvent-based sealer.

While you can apply it with a roller or sprayer, it does have a more complicated application process than many similar products. You'll have to wait to tackle the project until the evening hours, then leave it to cure for 48 hours before exposing the job to any foot or vehicle traffic.

_{Type: Film-forming | Coverage Area: 175-225 square feet | Dry Time: 24 hours | Gloss Level: Satin/wet}

Give the concrete floor of your basem*nt a protective coat of satiny shine with this water-based sealer from Eagle. Once dried, it has excellent resistance to scratches or damage—it even resists damage from spilled chemicals—and temperature extremes don't affect it. Because it has relatively little odor as compared to many other sealants, it's good for most interior concrete, but it can be used outdoors as well.

It should only be applied to concrete, however, whether poured, stamped, textured, colored (not painted), or pavers. It is not for use on stone, brick, or asphalt. While the sealer is generally not too slippery on surfaces that aren't wet, such as the typical basem*nt floor, if you plan to use it elsewhere that's frequently exposed to moisture or you want to ensure the most nonslip surface possible, you'll need to mix in a nonslip additive.

Part of the benefit of using this product in the basem*nt is that you only have to wait four to six hours for two thin coats to fully dry before being able to walk on it as usual. However, 48 hours after application is recommended in a garage or driveway.

_{Type: Film-forming | Coverage Area: 100-300 square feet | Dry Time: 6 hours | Gloss Level: Satin}

This water-based silane/siloxane sealer goes deep into the concrete to create an invisible barrier against freeze-thaw cycles, water, and salt damage. It forces water and other liquids to bead up rather than soak into the concrete, providing superior protection against cracking, spalling, or pitting. The moisture-resistant surface will look dry, even when wet, and refuses to yellow over time thanks to its additional UV-resistant properties.No wonder it’s one of the best concrete sealers.

It is also good for use on brick but is not suited to natural stone. Use it on your interior concrete or brick floors or outdoors on walkways, floors, patios, pool decks, driveways, or other masonry surfaces. The main caveat is that it can take up to a week after application before it reaches its full protective capabilities and that coverage rates may vary depending on the porosity of the concrete in question.

_{Type: Penetrating | Coverage Area: 100-300 square feet | Dry Time: 4 hours | Gloss Level: None}

This highly effective sealer reaches deep down into the concrete with nanotechnology combined with polyurethane to protect your concrete or masonry surfaces from the inside out. Once dry, it creates a water-resistant shield inside the concrete to ward off damage from cracking, spalling, pitting, or freeze-thaw cycles. On the surface, it creates a barrier against UV damage, fading, water stains and damage, and weathering.

It dries clear without any shine and won't turn yellow or cloudy over time. That means your garage floors can remain at their best, even when conditions are rough, and the concrete won't be slippery when you walk on it.

While we like this sealer for garage floors, it's a fine choice for many other concrete or masonry surfaces, whether indoors or outside. It doesn't have a particularly powerful odor and can be safely used on brick, sandstone, stucco, and all types of concrete, including colorful iterations. For a complete cure, it can take up to 48 hours before you can drive on it.

_{Type: Penetrating | Coverage Area: 250-350 square feet | Dry Time: 4 hours | Gloss Level: Matte}

While concrete countertops in kitchens or bathrooms have steadily gained in popularity, they can be tricky to maintain, as concrete can easily stain. Thankfully, you can greatly decrease the risk of damage to your concrete counters by applying this specialty sealer from Ghostshield.

Formulated specifically for concrete counters—although it can also safely be used on stone and masonry—the sealer penetrates into the concrete to create a water-resistant barrier to keep out fluids that could stain or crack the concrete, but then goes beyond that with special additives that resist even oil-based stains and help prevent damage from hot pots or pans. Most importantly, this sealer is food-safe, so you can use it in the kitchen without worries.

We love that the sealer dries clear and does not add any shine to the concrete. So you can still enjoy the natural appearance of your counters, but now they'll be easier to wipe clean and less likely to develop annoying cracks or stains.

_{Type: Penetrating | Coverage Area: 25-50 square feet | Dry Time: 4 hours | Gloss Level: Matte}

Eco-Tuff is our favorite plant-based product if you want a strong, crystal-clear barrier without VOC odors. This coating is free of solvent smells (and safe to use around kids and pets), so you don’t have to worry about opening every window if used indoors or irritating kids and pets that are frequently outside. But it’s still polyurethane, so you can count on it protecting against abrasions, forcing water to bead up at the surface, and refusing to discolor from intense UV rays or hot tire pickup.

We also love that you can choose between a gloss, satin, or matte finish to suit all design tastes. It’s incredibly quick-drying to boot, meaning you don’t have to wait hours between applications, just a half hour to 60 minutes before being able to spray or brush on the second coat. While it’s one the best concrete sealers, it can also be applied to wood, tile, and natural stone, suiting a range of home improvement needs.

Plus, this product has earned a myriad of green building certifications; its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), WELL Building Standard, and Red List Free complaint, in addition to being CDPH VOC Emissions certified.

It’s just a tad more expensive for a gallon compared to others on this list, but we think the benefit outweighs the cost, especially considering it’s still heat- and chemical-resistant.

_{Type: Firm-forming | Coverage Area: 300-500 square feet | Dry Time: 1 hour | Gloss Level: Varies}

Final Verdict

Our top recommendation for the best concrete sealer is BEHR Premium Wet Look Concrete Sealer. This film-forming product dries to a very glossy, “wet” finish that restores the vibrancy to dull or faded concrete and many other masonry surfaces. If you need a penetrating sealer to provide the utmost protection against weather, however, such as on a driveway, then we recommend MasonryDefender Concrete Sealer with De-Icing Salt Protection.

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