Best Paver Sealer

Backyard, Buyers Guide

best paver sealer
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Best Paver Sealer: In this post, I’ll walk you through the various aspects of the best paver sealer to help you make an informed buying decision.

Moreover, I’ll also throw light on various parameters that you need to consider while buying the best paver sealer.

Finally, I’ll respond to FAQs related to the topic to clear your doubts and confusion.

Even before, we start the discussion, I would like to ask you a question, “Have you ever tried to construct a walkway with pavers?”.

In case, your answer is “Yes”, then I’m assuming that you would be well aware of the fact that one needs to spend lots of time, energy, money, etc in order to complete the project successfully.

Correct me, if I’m wrong.

It goes without saying that a lot of investment goes into making paver walkways.

So, it is quite obvious that you would want everything to work fine for you, and for your information, a lot depends on the paver sealer that you’ve finalized for the project.

Well, if you’re interested in my opinion, then I would say always prefer the pavers that retain both beauty and resilience for the years to come.

And, for the pavers to maintain beauty and resilience, you definitely need sealers.

So, what do sealers do?

The sealers act as a layer of protection by sealing themselves to the stonework with strong chemical bonds.

The good thing about these sealers is that they literally penetrate deep into the porous structure to help protect the substrate material.

best paver sealers

What Is The Best Paver Sealer On The Market?

PRODUCT
(*Check the current price on Amazon)
CATEGORYSQ FT PER GALLONBASED ONFINISHWET LOOK

Color Enhancer Sealer

Best Travertine and Limestone Paver Sealer 100-400WaterGlossNo
Foundation Armor AR350

Best Paver Sealer for a Wet Look

175 – 325SolventSatin SheenYes
Black Diamond Stone Sealer

Best Water-based Paver Sealer

600WaterGlossYes
Endura Seal 100% Acrylic Sealer

Best Concrete Driveway Sealer

150 – 300SolventSemi-GlossYes
Eagle Paver Sealer

Best Acrylic Paver Sealer

100 – 200SolventGlossYes
Foundation Armor SX5000

Best Block Paver Sealer

125 – 300SolventMatteNo
Foundation Armor AR500

Best High Gloss Paver Sealer

175 – 325SolventHigh GlossYes
*check the current price on Amazon by clicking the product link

Best Paver Sealer Review

Moving forward, I’ll walk you through the various aspects of each of the paver sealers that made it to our list.

It will not only help you to make an informed buying decision but also, will provide you with adequate pieces of information to guide others who are interested in buying sealers.

Color Enhancer Sealer | Best Travertine and Limestone Paver Sealer

Color enhancer sealer is one of the top offerings from Black Diamond Stoneworks.

The brand is known for quality, value, and performance.

Well, if you’re the one who is very particular about the aesthetic appeal of your home, and is NOT ready to compromise on the natural beauty of pavers, concretes, and natural stones, then nothing could suffice the Color Enhancer Sealer offered by Black Diamond Stoneworks.

Color Enhancer Sealer for All Natural Stone and Pavers

Moreover, this sealer provides protection to the stone surface by sealing moisture.

In order, to extract the natural appearance from the stone it penetrates deep into the hard stone surface.

But, before applying it, my advice would be to clean the surface properly.

Furthermore, natural stones are always at risk of getting permanently damaged by the use of the wrong sealing agent.

To be on the safer side, I highly recommend you use Color Enhancer Sealer because it is safe for natural stones and pavers.

The good thing about this water-based sealer is that it has a low odor, and lasts longer as compared to its counterparts.

Whether you’re an experienced individual or a first-time buyer, you don’t have to worry at all about the installation process.

It is definitely hassle-free and less time-consuming.

Well, all you need to do is to coat dry surfaces using a paintbrush or a low-pressure sprayer.

Needless to say, it is equally good for interior as well as exterior sides.

Since the manufacturers are from the USA, so it adds to the trustworthiness of the product.

At the same time, you shouldn’t forget that it allows the transmission of the vapors, thus, making things easier for you.

Finally, it’s affordable and definitely falls under the category “value for money” product.

This black diamond paver sealer is definitely a product that I would love to recommend for a paver driveway.

On the downside, the main purpose of this sealer is to act as an enhancer rather than a sealer.

Why should I buy?
  • A great product for cleaning and enhancing the color of pavers and natural stones like marble, limestone, etc.
  • User-friendly application
  • Less odor and long-lasting performance
  • High penetration capability
  • Affordable
  • Best Travertine and Limestone Paver Sealer
Check Color Enhancer Sealer Current Price

Foundation Armor AR350 | Best Paver Sealer for a Wet Look

Whether it’s the brand reputation or product effectiveness, Foundation Armor has lots of similarities with Black Diamond.

The major difference lies in the fact of the inclination towards catering to the needs of end-users.

Armor AR350 Solvent Based Acrylic Wet Look Concrete Sealer and Paver Sealer

Black Diamond specializes in providing products for specific requirements, Foundation Armor differentiates itself from the former by providing a product that serves multiple purposes.

Since the company is more interested in making a product that can cater to multiple needs, they have to compromise on quality to some extent for a specific requirement.

In short, the offerings from Foundation Armor perform well against concrete applications.

It goes without saying that you can use it on granite or slate, but if you’ll compare the end result with the concrete, then, of course, the latter has an upper hand.

Features such as the “versatility” of this sealer has always been the talk of the town because if you’re applying it for non-concrete applications, then it simply implies that you’re paying for a low-quality sealer.

On the contrary to versatility, this sealer definitely has an upper hand as compared to its counterparts when it comes to “durability”.

Once applied properly, it will protect your paver from UV rays, water, and chemicals.

Moreover, the manufacturers claim 5 years of relief from abrasion.

It goes without saying the performance of the sealer to a large extent depends upon the type of substrate sealed, and also on some external parameters such as how the surface is used.

Let’s understand it with an example.

If you seal natural stone with AR350 which encounters a good amount of foot traffic, then the probability is very high that you may need to re-apply the sealer in less than 2 years.

On top of it, the Armor AR350 falls under the category “best paver sealer wet look”.

The reason being it will penetrate deep and darken the surface of the concrete giving it a wet look.

To cover an area of 1000 square feet in two coats, you’ll need approximately 10 gallons.

The coverage is dependent mainly on two parameters, porosity and application methods, and you can expect it to vary accordingly.

The process of application is easy and user-friendly.

For the optimum result, I would recommend you to apply coats, each at an interval of 24 hours.

Word of Caution: Don’t apply in the early morning, rather apply in the evening when both air and surface temperatures are declining. Moreover, never apply this solvent to red clay brick, tile, flagstone, or other natural stone surfaces.

Some of the important areas where you can use this solvent are as follows:

  • Pool deck
  • Driveway
  • Garage floor
  • Warehouse floor

On the downside, it has a longer curing time as well as it may leave the finished seal a bit slick when wet.

Why should I buy?
  • Best sealer for providing a satin finish
  • Furthermore, best paver sealer for a wet look
  • Longer lifespan of the sealer
  • One of the best sealers for concrete surfaces
  • Affordable
  • Equally good for interior and exterior concrete
Check Armor AR350 Current Price

Black Diamond Wet Look Stone Sealer | Best Water-based Paver Sealer

It goes without saying that Black Diamond is one of the brands on our list that has a great reputation in the sealer market and also, are known to provide “value for money” products.

Moreover, this paver sealer by Black Diamond is designed to work with a plethora of different types of stone.

Black Diamond Stoneworks Wet Look Natural Stone Sealer Provides Durable Gloss

They don’t prefer to manufacture products that suit specifically a single type of stone.

In layman’s terms, this stone sealer is a jack of all trades and master of none.

Without any doubt, you can use it for multiple paver projects.

Definitely, this product is versatile and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor uses.

Most of the brands claim that they are good at both indoor and outdoor use, but unfortunately, only a few of them match up to the expectation, so you need to be very careful in buying paver sealers.

There can be numerous problems related to the performance of the sealer if the surface isn’t sanitized properly as well as the application isn’t done correctly.

Secondly, the surface on which the sealer is applied need not be disturbed during the curing or drying process.

Whether you apply a single coat or multiple ones, this paver sealer will cure you within 24 hours.

On top of it, the paver becomes ready for light foot traffic within an epigrammatic span of time of just 8 hours.

Moreover, you don’t have to interrupt your day-to-day life for the installation process.

Just forget all your worries, and lay down the sealer.

Of course, it is a wet-look sealer and works well against exposed concrete & decorative surfaces.

Even though you’re a first-time user, you don’t have to worry at all.

All you need to do is to select the surface where you want to apply a sealer and then sanitize it.

And, then either spray the sealer or brush it on the surface.

Some of the favored surfaces where this sealer works extremely well are concrete, pavers, driveways, patios, etc.

Furthermore, whether you apply it on your patios, concrete, pavers, slates, bricks, etc, I can assure you that once you’re done with the entire process, you’ll get a beautiful gloss finish.

Definitely, this is one of the sealers that you can consider using for interior as well as exterior applications to beautify and protect the surface.

Needless to say, this wet sealer provides excellent resistance to NOT only wear & tear, but also, UV rays, water, and chemicals.

On the downside, it may at times turn whitish color especially when wet.

Moreover, it may darken the stone after the application.

Why should I buy?
  • Highly versatile, as can be used for a wide range of stonework
  • Approximately covers 600 square feet of coverage using 4 gallons of this sealer
  • Caters to the need of both interior as well as exterior application
  • Affordable
  • Protects against UV rays, chemicals, and tear & wear
Check Black Diamond Stoneworks Wet Look Current Price

EnduraSeal 100% Acrylic”Wet Look” Semi Gloss Concrete Sealer Solvent Base | Best Concrete Driveway Sealer

Well, to start with the reputation of brands then EnduraSeal falls far behind Black Diamond as well as Armor Foundation.

But, it doesn’t mean everything is lost.

The company has specifically managed to garner attention when it comes to a very specific niche, that is, CONCRETE.

EnduraSeal Acrylic Wet Look Semi Gloss Concrete Sealer Solvent Base

It wouldn’t be wrong if I say EnduraSeal is one of the best concrete driveway sealers.

The good thing about this paver sealer is that it not only protects but also beautifies all types of concrete.

Be it a stained, colored, or exposed aggregator, this paver sealer will do a great job for you.

Well, it’s always good to apply two thin coats.

Depending upon the surface porosity, per gallon, you can expect this paver sealer to cover approximately 150-300 square feet.

The thing that I don’t like about this paver sealer is that it has a long-lasting odor, so it’s better to use it for new construction or as an outdoor sealer.

Well, the possible reason for odor may be the presence of volatile organic compounds.

However, many top brands have actively sought to further limit VOC inclusion in their sealers.

The reason being simple, end customers aren’t comfortable with the inconvenience that VOC presents.

A word of caution: Even though the area where you want to apply this sealer is well-ventilated, I would recommend you use a mask

Furthermore, this is a great product for those who are on a shoestring budget.

Even though it’s inexpensive it doesn’t compromise the quality of the product.

On the downside, their durability is definitely a question mark.

You may not prefer this sealer if you’re allergic to long-lasting odor.

Why should I buy?
  • Highly affordable
  • Provides a semi-gloss finish
  • Performs really well on concrete and pavers
  • Best concrete driveway sealer
Check EnduraSeal Current Price

Eagle Sealer EPS1 | Best Acrylic Paver Sealer

Are you a contractor who needs to seal substrate with a quick turnaround?

If your answer is “YES”, then nothing could be a better option than Eagle Sealer EPS1.

However, if you need a sealer for a high-end and very specific project, then this is NOT the product that you need to opt for.

Eagle Sealer EPS1 Clear Paver Sealer

At the same time, if you’re on a shoestring budget, then nothing could suffice this sealer.

The thing that I really hate about this paver sealer is its limitation to being shipped to many states.

I know you’re inquisitive about the reason why this paver sealer isn’t shipped to these states, right?

Well, because these states have instituted higher environmental standards than the federal government and unfortunately, the eagle sealer doesn’t meet those standards.

The product is manufactured in the USA.

Like another paver sealer that was made to our list, the Eagle Sealer EPS1 protects the paver from water and water.

On top of it, once the sealer is applied correctly, you can expect a reduction in the color fade.

It is also UV resistant.

If you ask my view, then definitely it’s not a bad deal considering the price at which it comes.

On the downside, you need to reseal more often than other products.

Even coverage is substandard.

Why should I buy?
  • You can expect some of the consistent gloss
  • Epigrammatic curing time
  • Highly affordable
Check Eagle Sealer EPS1 Current Price

Foundation Armor SX5000 | Best Block Paver Sealer

Definitely, it’s different from the one that we discussed previously.

Unlike another paver sealer that we discussed so far, Foundation Armor SX5000 uses a Siloxane formula.

Penetrating Clear Solvent-Based Silane-Siloxane Concrete & Masonry Sealer

I’m assuming that you’re aware of the fact that most the sealer uses a solvent-based acrylic formula.

The difference between formula two comes with some Pros as well as Cons.

Foundation Armor SX5000 is definitely known for its durability.

So, you can apply it to the area with heavy foot traffic without any worry.

It goes without saying that this paver sealer will work fine against dirt, water, and UV radiation.

On the downside, the Siloxane formula used in this paver sealer isn’t designed to handle hot tire pickup.

It’s highly recommended to refrain from its use in extreme heat areas.

For example, try to avoid its use in the garage.

On the positive side, this paver sealant is perhaps the best for porous and natural stones, and trust me, I’m not saying this without logical reasoning.

As compared to the paver sealer that uses solvent-based acrylic formula, the Siloxane formula offers deeper penetration.

It is one of the few paver sealers that have strong alkali resistance.

Moreover, this paver sealer provides excellent resistance to mildew, mold, and fungus.

Once you’ve applied it to the concrete, all you need to do is to sit and relax, as it won’t change the look of the concrete for a very long time.

For the optimum result, I would recommend you apply a thin coat of this paver sealer on the surface.

The application part is user-friendly, and all you need to do is to apply the sealer on the surface of the using a sprayer or a brush.

Even though you’re a first-time user, you can easily apply it without any professional help.

On the downside, this sealer is not suitable for the driveways due to hot tire pick-up.

It also requires far more cleaning preparations than its counterparts.

Why should I buy?
  • Long-lasting sealer
  • Penetrates deeper
  • Affordable
  • User-friendly application
  • Comparatively more slip resistant than its counterparts
Check SX5000 Current Price

Foundation Armor AR500 | Best High Gloss Paver Sealer

Well, we’re ending our product review with Foundation Armor AR500 which is a popular offering from the brand AR500.

As compared to the other offerings from the brand Armor, this paver sealer has a somewhat higher concentration of “solids” in its mixture.

Armor AR500 High Gloss Solvent Based Acrylic Concrete Sealer and Paver Sealer

As a result, this sealer is NOT only able to provide a smoother surface but also, allows to maintain a brilliant high gloss finish.

If you can recall, the Armor AR350 provides a soft satin finish which is definitely quite different from the Armor AR500 offering.

On the downside, it is slippery as compared to its counterparts.

However, when it comes to the protection of the concrete against the water, this is one such sealer that you can’t ignore.

It performs really well in both hot and cold temperatures, so you can go ahead and use it against hot tire pick-up.

The good news is, once you apply it to the dull and faded surfaces, you can expect it to bring out the color in these surfaces.

The unique thing about this sealer is that it bonds to the concrete from below the surface.

Without any second thought, you can apply it to both interior and exterior surfaces.

Some of the places where you can use it without any hesitation are as follows:

  • Garage floors
  • Restaurant floors
  • Pool decks
  • Driveways

Moreover, once you’re done with applying AR500, you’ll find the high gloss finish left behind.

This high gloss finish is resistant to UV rays, hot tire pickups, and changes in weather and temperature.

In the context of area coverage, AR500 does a pretty well good job.

Well, 5 gallons covers up to 500 square feet in two coats which is definitely a good offering by the brand keeping in mind the cost price of the product.

Needless to say, coverage is highly dependent upon two parameters, porosity & applicator.

I would highly recommend you use a pump sprayer for applying AR500 to the paver or concrete.

For the optimum result, apply two coats at an interval of 24 hours.

Always try to apply the sealer in the evening when both air & surface temperature is decreasing.

So, what are you waiting for?

On the downside, it is too slippery as well as less effective on old stones & concrete.

Why should I buy?
  • Best high gloss finish
  • Longer lifespan
  • Resilient product
Check Armor AR500 Current Price

Buying Guide

As we all know, the market is flooded with a wide variety of paver sealers, and every manufacturer has idiosyncratic claims about their offerings.

In the midst of that, most first-time buyers and newbies get confused because of the lack of information about the products or even worse, the parameters that one should definitely consider for a smart buyer.

So, what’s the solution?

Well, I’m here to help you out in all possible manners that I could.

Let’s discuss all the parameters one by one without wasting any time.

Durability

Durability is definitely an important parameter that can influence your buying decision.

Just for your information, all the paver sealers aren’t equally durable.

The worst thing about less durable paver sealers is that they can’t withstand the rigor of daily use.

At the same time, the need for different surface areas is also different, and for the optimum result, it is really important for you to select the sealer depending on the surface when you’re willing to apply it.

Cutting a long story short, let’s understand it with an example.

The surface area such as the garage floor will have a different requirement from a garden walkway.

In the case of the former, the surface needs to deal with the car’s tires’ heat as well as heavy footfalls.

On the other hand, a garden walkway has to deal with dust, dirt, and moisture, and beautification is another element that is associated with the garden walkway.

So, you need to apply different types of paver sealers on these two surfaces for better results.

Durability has lot to do with internal integrity as well.

You also need to check how long a paver sealer can maintain the integral integrity without getting cracked.

It will help you to understand how frequently you need to reapply the sealer.

Penetration

If the nature of the substrate is highly porous, then penetration definitely has an important role to play.

The effectiveness of a paver sealer to a great extent depends upon how well it can penetrate the porous nature of the substrate.

The penetration capability of a paver sealer depends to a large extent on the viscosity and thickness.

Most of the sealers are free-flowing, but quite a few of them are capable of sealing the substrate completely.

Once the substrate is sealed completely, the moisture will not flow freely which can be good or bad depending upon the scenario.

The sealer that will have a higher solid content will seal the substrate in a better way.

Let’s move to the other determining factor of penetration, and it is the substrate itself.

Most of the porous substrate doesn’t support penetration by themselves.

The reason is, most of the porous substrate requires far more application of the sealer than you’re willing to apply.

So, in such a scenario, you may look for a sealer that can settle on the top of the stonework and also chemically bond with it.

Such sealers will not seal the substrate completely, and thus, leaves space for air movement.

You need to refrain from using such sealer in moisture-prone areas such as the vicinity of the pool.

Non-Slip

If you’re a first-time buyer, then the probability is very high that you’ll get confused with the claims made by the sealer manufacturers.

Needless to say, most of the sealers will claim to be non-slip, but the reality is much more different.

I’ve tried quite a few sealers and I can say with confidence that some sealers are definitely more slippery than their counterparts.

The important thing to look at here is the material used in the sealer.

I hope you’re well aware of the fact that sealers generally penetrate deep into the stonework, and layer on the top.

As a result, the sealer smoothen the natural texture of the stone underneath making it more prone to slipping.

Now, the question comes, “What’s the solution, indeed?”.

In fact, do we REALLY have any solution to it?

Well, there is a solution to it, but its performance depends to a large extent on the substrate, sealer, etc.

All you need to do is to add some additives either with the sealer or before the application of the sealer.

The good news is, there are some sealers that come with non-slippery additives, better try them to avoid an increment in the cost of the project.

Another option is to go for a sealer that NOT only claims to be non-slippery but also stands tall to its claim.

You may be wondering, how can I find that a sealer is non-slippery?

Don’t worry, all you need to do is to follow a simple hack, that I’ve been following for quite a few times now.

The sealer which is more penetrative and makes great chemical bonds with the substrate is less likely to be slippery.

Substrate

Before we talk about the substrate, it is really important for you to understand, why end-users purchase paver sealers.

The most obvious reason could be for the garage floor, driveway, walkway, or other specific purposes, right?

Recent trends show that the use of paver sealers has tremendously increased for concrete.

The obvious reason could be ease of mixing, pouring, and cost-effectiveness as well.

Another reason could be the availability of concrete as compared to its counterparts.

Fortunately, all of us aren’t the same, and this gives rise to the demand for different products.

For example, I know my clients who favored aesthetics over cost and preferred materials that are more visually appealing and less budget-friendly as compared to concrete.

In short, a good paver sealer must be capable of bonding well with NOT only concrete BUT also, other stoneworks.

Especially if you’re a first-time buyer, you need to be very careful while making a buying decision.

Just for your information, you’ll find many sealers that REALLY bond well with the concrete, but the performance isn’t the same when they are applied to the other stones.

So, if you’re planning to use sealer against some surface other than concrete, then I would suggest you should do a bit of homework about the sealer before taking a final call.

Some of the other commonly used surfaces against the paver sealer are granite, slate, brick, etc.

The one common thing about the aforementioned materials is that they are all porous, and definitely a good candidate for the sealer.

Finish

To be brutally honest, the finish has nothing to do with the functional qualities of a sealer.

It goes without saying that you need to invest a decent chunk of money for sealing any surface irrespective of the sealer that you’ve finalized for the same.

Other than the money, time and effort are also involved in the entire process.

So, definitely, you’ll love to see the surface sealed to look aesthetically appealing, right?

What I mean to say is, the finish may not directly influence the buying decision, but you can’t deny it’s an indirect influence.

Again, coming back to the word “finish”, it is highly important for you to understand that it is a RELATIVE term, and may differ from person to person.

For example, you may find the finish up to the mark, and I may feel some improvement is still needed or vice-versa.

So, it’s difficult to set up a benchmark for something like “finish”.

Did I make my point?

If you’re still confused, then keep reading, I’ll explain with an example.

Let’s say you want a shiny & sleek look, then I would recommend you to go with the paver sealer that comes with a high gloss finish.

However, if you prefer a subtler finish, then try a sealer that claims to provide a semi-gloss finish.

Similarly, if you love a natural look then the matte finish will do the trick for you.

FAQs

Well, in this section, I’ll be taking some of the frequently asked questions from my clientele as well as readers.

In case, you’ve any doubts or queries related to the topic, then feel free to ask me in the comment section.

Why is it important to seal pavers?

There are numerous reasons that can compel you to seal your pavers.

For example, if you want the long lifespan of your pavers as well as the aesthetic look to be maintained without any deterioration, then sealing it can be a great choice.

On top of it, sealing the pavers make the cleaning process easy and less time-consuming.

How often should I’ve my pavers sealed?

Well, in short, it DEPENDS on the weather condition and foot traffic.

But, to be on the safer side, I always recommend my clients to get the pavers sealed at a time duration of 2 years.

Though some sealers claim to last for 5 years and even more still I would stand by with the two years mark.

Hope it helps!

Is cleaning pavers with a water jet before sealing enough?

The short answer is NO, NOT AT ALL.

Cleaning with a water jet will not remove grease stains.

I highly recommend cleaning the pavers with a cleaner before applying a sealer for optimum results.

It’s A Wrap

I hope you would have enjoyed this article to the core.

As per my understanding, the best paver sealer is a relative term, and for you, the best sealer could be the one that not only caters to your need but also under your budget.

Let’s make it sweet and simple.

For the outdoor patio, I would recommend Armor SX5000.

Similarly, for the indoor application, I’ll recommend a Black Diamond color-enhancing sealer.

Moreover, the garage floor is altogether a different ball game because of the heavy footfalls as well as hot tires, so, I would recommend Foundation Armors AR500.

So, which is your favorite paver sealer?

Was the information provided in the post helpful for you when it comes to making an informed buying decision?

Last but not least, share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.

After all, sharing is caring!

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