There are several factors that contribute to how long a sealer will last, but for the most part, each type of sealer has a very specific max life expectancy.
| Silicate Sealers | Silane Siloxane Sealers | Siliconate Sealers | Acrylic Sealers |
| Forever | 5-10 Years | 5-10 Years | 1-4 Years |
Not all sealers within each category are the same and variances in chemical formula can greatly contribute to the success or failure of a concrete sealer.
Silicate Sealers
Silicates last forever and will never break down.
Silicate sealers chemically react below the surface of the concrete to create a calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) structure within the pores. All silicate sealers, regardless of the manufacturer, create the same CSH structure. Once fully cured, the CSH structure can never be broken down or removed.
So what makes one silicate sealer better than other silicate sealers? This is one of the few sealers where there is no such thing as “better”. You can either purchase a silicate sealer in concentrate or purchase a pre-diluted silicate. Concentrated silicates are more cost effective and provide the user with flexibility to change the dilution ration to allow for optimal penetration and reaction, but when it comes down to it, silicates spark a chemical reaction and the results are identical.
Silane Siloxane Sealers
Silane Siloxane sealers last for up to 5-10 years.
Products under this category vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next. Everything from the quality of the resin to the percent solids will contribute to not only how long a silane siloxane sealer will last, but also how well it will perform. While silane siloxane sealers can last for up to 5-10 years, many store-bought silane siloxane sealers will only last for up to 6 months.
To learn more about the differences, view Silane Siloxane Sealer Reviews.
Siliconate Concrete Sealers
Siliconate concrete sealers last for up to 5-10 years.
Products under this category vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next. Everything from the quality of the resin to the percent solids will contribute to not only how long a siliconate sealer will last, but also how well it will perform. While siliconate sealers can last for up to 5-10 years, many store-bought siliconate sealers will only last for up to 6 months.
To learn more about the differences, view Water Repellent Sealer Reviews.
Acrylic Sealers
Acrylic sealers last for up to 1-4 years.
Products under this category vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next. Everything from the quality of the resin to the percent solids will contribute to not only how long an acrylic sealer will last, but also how well it will perform. While acrylic sealers can last for up to 1-4 years, you will find that many store-bought acrylic sealers will only last for less than a year.
To learn more about the differences, view Acrylic Sealer Reviews.
