The best concrete sealers for pavers are Silane-Siloxane water repellent sealers and acrylic concrete sealers.

Best Water Repellent Concrete Sealers

• Armor SX5000: DOT approved solvent based Silane-Siloxane water repellent sealer
• Armor SX5000 WB: DOT approved water based Silane-Siloxane water repellent sealer

The most common type of concrete sealer for use on pavers is a Silane Siloxane water repellent simply because it protect the pavers without changing the look or color of the pavers. Silane Siloxane water repellent sealers penetrate into the surface of the pavers where they chemically react to form a hydrophobic barrier within the pores. The barrier will reduce the absorption of water on the surface by up to 95%, and help to reduce deterioration caused by water absorption. Pavers that are sealed with a water repellent sealer are more resistant to:

• Cracking, spalling, and pitting caused by water absorption.
• The formation of mold, mildew, and algae on the surface.
• The formation of efflorescence.
• Staining caused by rain, snow and ice.
• Cracking and pitting caused by freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts.

Water repellent concrete sealers are very easy to apply and maintain. First, you want to make sure the pavers are clean, and free of anything that would prevent proper penetration or absorption. Once cleaned, you want to allow to dry for at least 24 hours so that the moisture below the surface has had time to evaporate. Lastly, you want to apply two coats using a roller or pump sprayer. Pump sprayers will provide better coverage, but in applications where a sprayer can’t be used, a roller will do just fine. Before to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for recoat windows. It is best to apply a concrete sealer to pavers in the late afternoon or early evening when the pavers have had a chance to cool down from exposure to the sun.

There are many benefits to using a Silane Siloxane water repellent sealer on pavers, including:

• Water repellent concrete sealers won’t change the look or color of the pavers.
• Water repellent concrete sealers will provide up to 7-10 years of life and protection.
• Water repellent concrete sealers are very easy to apply and require little to no maintenance.
• Water repellent concrete sealers can be applied to vertical and horizontal pavers.
• Water repellent concrete sealers can be applied to red clay brick and concrete pavers.

Siliconate water repellent sealers are a second type of water repellent sealer, but they should not be used on pavers. Like with silicate sealers, if you apply a siliconate water repellent sealer to pavers you can end up with permanent white crystalline barrier on the surface that can’t be removed unless the top layer of the pavers are removed. Silane-Siloxane water repellent sealers don’t have this issue which is why they are the best penetrating concrete sealer to use on pavers.

Best Acrylic Concrete Sealers

• Armor AR350 wet look sealer
• Armor AR500 high gloss sealer

If you want a wet look, low gloss, or high gloss finish then you want an acrylic sealer. Acrylic concrete sealers are designed to enhance and protect pavers with a  visible surface film. While sealers help to reduce a variety of issues, acrylic sealers help to stop them. Pavers that are sealed with an acrylic concrete sealer are more resistant to:

• Fading caused by exposure to UV rays.
• Deterioration caused by surface abrasion.
• Dusting caused by surface abrasion.
• Staining caused by surface spills.
• Cracking, spalling, and pitting caused by water absorption.
• The formation of mold, mildew, and algae on the surface.
• The formation of efflorescence.
• Staining caused by rain, snow and ice.
• Cracking and pitting caused by freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts.

Acrylics are available as acrylic lacquer sealers, acrylic co-polymer sealers, water based acrylic sealers, and solvent based acrylic sealers. Acrylic lacquer sealers are commonly used on cured concrete while acrylic co-polymers are for uncured concrete. Both types of acrylic concrete sealers are great for use on pavers, but an acrylic lacquer sealer will offer a slightly more aggressive bond.

There are a few more differences between water and solvent based acrylic sealers.

One sealer isn’t necessarily better than the other, but there are a few main differences to note. First, if you want a wet look finish then you need a solvent based acrylic sealer because only solvent based acrylic sealers will darken the surface. Next, you need to think about maintenance. If you repair a water based acrylic you will need to screen scuff the surface before recoating. If you repair a solvent based acrylic sealer you can simply use Xylene, or apply more sealer. Solvent based acrylic sealers are slightly easier to maintain. Lastly, if you want to use a non slip additive so that the acrylic sealer is not slippery when wet, you can usually only add non slip additives to solvent based acrylic sealers because water based acrylic sealers are too thin for an additive.