What is the Best Brick Paver Sealer?
As a trusted sealer manufacturer, our commitment extends beyond just producing high-quality products. We understand the vital role that well-informed applicators play in ensuring the longevity and aesthetics of sealed surfaces, especially when it comes to brick pavers. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey as a sealer applicator, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the various sealers available for brick pavers. By making informed choices, you not only enhance the satisfaction of your clients but also contribute to the durability and beauty of outdoor spaces. In this educational guide, we’ll delve into the nuances of impregnating sealers, penetrating sealers, and topical sealers for brick pavers, empowering you to make the right decisions in your craft. Your expertise and choices as an applicator are the cornerstone of sealing success, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Types of Paver Sealers: Impregnating
Impregnating sealers are a popular choice for protecting and enhancing the appearance of brick pavers. These sealers are designed to penetrate the porous surface of the pavers and create a protective barrier within the material, rather than forming a visible film on the surface. This characteristic makes impregnating sealers an ideal choice for those who want to maintain the natural look and texture of their brick pavers while providing essential protection against the elements. Here are some key features and benefits of impregnating sealers:
Natural Appearance: Impregnating sealers are prized for their ability to preserve the natural appearance of brick pavers. They do not alter the color, texture, or sheen of the surface, allowing the beauty of the bricks to shine through. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want to showcase the original aesthetics of their pavers.
Breathability: One of the essential characteristics of impregnating sealers is their breathability. These sealers allow moisture vapor to escape from the pavers, which is crucial for preventing issues like efflorescence (white, powdery deposits) and spalling (surface deterioration). The pavers can “breathe,” ensuring that any trapped moisture doesn’t damage the bricks over time.
Stain Resistance: Impregnating sealers provide effective protection against common staining agents like oil, grease, and dirt. This feature is particularly valuable for outdoor brick surfaces, which are often exposed to these substances.
UV Protection: While impregnating sealers may not offer as high a level of UV protection as some topical sealers, they still provide decent protection against sunlight-induced fading and discoloration. They help preserve the color integrity of the brick pavers over time.
Durability: These sealers are known for their long-lasting performance, making them suitable for various applications, including driveways, patios, walkways, and more. They stand up well to foot traffic and vehicular traffic, making them a reliable choice for high-traffic areas.
Low Maintenance: Impregnating sealers are relatively low maintenance. While they will wear over time and may need reapplication every few years, they do not typically require extensive stripping and removal when resealing, making the maintenance process simpler.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of impregnating sealers can vary depending on the specific product and the quality of the pavers being sealed. It’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application, resealing schedules, and maintenance to ensure the best results.
In summary, impregnating sealers are a valuable choice for those who want to protect their brick pavers while preserving their natural appearance. These sealers offer a balance of protection and aesthetics, making them a preferred option for many outdoor applications.
Types of Paver Sealers: Penetrating
Impregnating sealers and penetrating sealers are terms that are often used interchangeably to describe sealers that penetrate the surface of a material to create a protective barrier. However, it’s important to clarify that both terms essentially refer to the same type of sealer. These sealers are designed to penetrate the porous surface of materials, like brick pavers, and create a protective barrier within the material, rather than forming a visible film on the surface.
The primary purpose of penetrating sealers is to protect the material from moisture, stains, and other forms of damage while maintaining the material’s natural appearance. These sealers are known for their ability to penetrate the material and create a protective shield without altering the color, texture, or sheen of the surface, allowing the material to retain its natural look. There are products available that will enhance the look when your client wants to deepen the color without the shine.
In summary, there is no significant difference between impregnating sealers and penetrating sealers. They are essentially two terms used to describe the same type of sealer that penetrates the material to protect it while preserving its natural appearance. The choice between impregnating or penetrating sealers will depend on the specific product and manufacturer’s recommendations. Here are some key features and benefits of Penetrating sealers:
Enhanced Aesthetics: Penetrating sealers can provide a subtle enhancement to the pavers, bringing out their colors and patterns.
Durable Protection: They offer protection against water, UV damage, and staining while maintaining good breathability.
Types of Paver Sealers: Topical
Topical sealers, also known as film-forming sealers, create a visible layer on the surface of the brick pavers. They come in various finishes, including matte, satin, and high-gloss, and can significantly alter the appearance of the pavers. Here are some key features and benefits of Topical sealers:
Aesthetic Customization: Topical sealers allow for a range of aesthetic effects, from a matte finish that preserves the pavers’ natural look to a high-gloss shine that enhances their appearance.
Stain Resistance: They provide excellent protection against stains and can make pavers easier to clean.
UV Protection: Topical sealers offer UV resistance, preventing fading or discoloration due to sunlight exposure.
Choosing the Right Sealer for Your Brick Pavers
The choice between impregnating, penetrating, and topical sealers depends on your specific needs and aesthetic preferences:
If you want to maintain the natural look of your brick pavers while providing protection, impregnating sealers are an excellent choice.
If you prefer a slight enhancement in appearance while preserving breathability and protection, consider penetrating sealers.
For those who want to customize the pavers’ appearance and desire protection against staining and UV damage, topical sealers are a great option. One thing to consider when it comes to topical is that as they wear away they can sometimes flake or yellow. Also, if you want to put a penetrating sealer on at a later date, you will first need to strip the topical sealer prior to applying the penetrating sealers.
It’s important to note that all sealers require proper surface preparation, application, and maintenance to ensure they perform effectively. Before applying any sealer, clean and prepare the pavers thoroughly, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
Conclusion
Selecting the right sealer for your brick pavers is essential to ensure they stay beautiful and protected for years to come. Impregnating sealers, penetrating sealers, and topical sealers each have their advantages, so make your choice based on your specific project requirements and aesthetic preferences. With the right sealer in place, your brick pavers will not only look stunning but also withstand the tests of time and weather. Deco Products offers free training on our sealers, contact us today to see how you can increase your profits by adding sealing to your business.
