10 Amazing Benefits of a Siloxane Concrete Sealer [2024]

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What is a Siloxane Concrete Sealer?

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer is applied to concrete surfaces such as garage floors, driveways, basements, etc. to protect them from the damaging effects of moisture, UV rays, chemicals, and stains.

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer works by penetrating deep into the concrete pores and forming a hydrophobic barrier.

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer effectively prevents damage to concrete slabs, such as garage floors, extends their lifespan, and maintains their appearance. By blocking moisture penetration, siloxane concrete sealers help reduce crack propagation, spalling, and other concrete deterioration caused by water infiltration.

Essentially, a siloxane concrete sealer shields the concrete from water penetration, keeping it pristine and structurally sound for years. Applying a siloxane concrete sealer, after the curing has been completed, is a proactive step towards protecting your investment and ensuring the longevity of your garage floor.

The main types of concrete sealers include silane, siloxane, acrylic, epoxy, and polyurethane. Each type has a specific chemistry and therefore, unique properties and benefits, such as water repellency, UV resistance, and durability.

The right choice depends on the substrate, applications, key benefit requirements, and environmental conditions.

Understanding Siloxane Concrete Sealers

1. Chemical Composition: Siloxane sealers are composed of silicon-oxygen bonds, forming a flexible and durable chemical structure. These bonds create a hydrophobic layer that repels water and other contaminants.

2. Explanation of Siloxane Molecules: Siloxane molecules are larger than those in other sealers, allowing them to stay on the surface and create a protective barrier. This barrier prevents water and other harmful chemicals from penetrating the concrete, reducing the risk of damage.

3. How Siloxane Works as a Sealer: Siloxane penetrates the surface of the concrete, forming a breathable yet water-repellent layer. This allows moisture vapor to escape while preventing liquid water from entering.

The result is a durable, long-lasting protection that enhances the lifespan and appearance of concrete surfaces.

Comparison of Siloxane with Other Sealers

Silane vs. Siloxane: Silane has smaller molecules for deeper penetration, while siloxane stays on the surface, offering better water repellency.

Acrylic vs. Siloxane: Acrylic forms a film on the surface, providing a glossy finish but less breathability. Siloxane penetrates and allows moisture vapor to escape.

Epoxy vs. Siloxane: Epoxy creates a hard, durable surface but can trap moisture. Siloxane offers flexibility and breathability, preventing moisture-related issues.

Silane/Siloxane Hybrid Sealer

A silane/siloxane hybrid sealer combines the best properties of both silane and siloxane sealers.

The silane component allows for deep penetration into the concrete, providing long-lasting protection from within.

The siloxane component forms a surface barrier that enhances water repellency and durability.

This hybrid approach ensures comprehensive protection, increased longevity, and improved performance under various conditions.

Key Takeaways – Benefits of Silane/Siloxane Hybrid Sealer

1. Prevents Moisture Infiltration
2. Prevents Freeze-Thaw Damage
3. Protects Rebars and Wire Mesh from Corrosion.
4. Resists Chemicals and Stains
5. Maintains Natural Concrete Look
6. Enhanced Longevity
7. Comprehensive Protection
8. Breathability
9. Overcoating with Sealers or Coatings Possible
10. Easy to Apply, DIY Friendly

10 Benefits of a Silane/Siloxane Concrete Sealer

It is not unusual for homeowners to skip the application of a Siloxane Concrete Sealer once their concrete driveway has cured. I understand the reason.

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer is a penetrating sealer and does not form a film. It seems as if it has just been absorbed into the concrete with no apparent benefit. There are 5 secret benefits of applying a Siloxane Concrete Sealer on your new driveway!

1. Water Repellency from Within: Prevents Moisture Penetration

Siloxane concrete sealers penetrate the surface of concrete driveways and block the pores through a chemical reaction. This barrier prevents moisture from penetrating the concrete.

Believe it or not, water penetration is the most crucial threat to the durability and longevity of a concrete slab such as a driveway or basement floor. Water penetration is responsible for concrete defects such as crack propagation, efflorescence, spalling, and scaling.

By keeping water out, siloxane sealers help maintain the structural integrity of the driveway, prolonging its lifespan.

2. Prevents Freeze-Thaw Damage

In very cold climates, freeze-thaw damage is an important consideration for maintaining the structural integrity of concrete driveways. When water seeps into concrete and freezes, it expands, causing pressure that can lead to cracks and other forms of deterioration.

The water repellency from within, provided by siloxane sealers, helps protect against freeze-thaw damage as well.

3. Prevents Corrosion of Rebars or Wire Mesh

A residential concrete driveway is usually 6″ thick and needs steel rebars as reinforcement. At the very least it will have steel wire mesh reinforcement. Without reinforcement, the driveway will crumble as concrete has very high compressive strength but very poor tensional strength.

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer prevents moisture infiltration, which helps prevent corrosion of the rebars or wire mesh embedded within the concrete. Corrosion of these reinforcements can compromise the structural integrity of the driveway, leading to cracks, spalling, and other forms of damage over time.

4. Helps Increase Chemical & Stain Resistance

To be fair, it is the Topical Sealer that plays the major role in making your concrete driveway chemical & stain-resistant. However, the siloxane-based penetrating sealer has an important support role too.

Despite your best efforts a concrete driveway, or for that matter any concrete slab will have cracks. The cracks appear as hairline cracks right from the beginning and are likely to grow with time. Topical sealers tend to crack as well when the crack in the concrete grows.

In other words, any chemical or organic matter spillage will find its way into the concrete pores through these cracks. Once that happens it is extremely difficult to get rid of the concrete driveway stains.

This is where the siloxane concrete sealer plays an important support role. The stain can not permeate deep into the concrete as the pores have already been blocked by the siloxane-based penetrating sealer.

There is another important fact to keep in mind. Topical sealers have a life of 3-5 years at best. In reality, you may need to apply it every year as it can get abraded by traffic and extreme weather.

On the other hand, a siloxane concrete sealer lasts for 5-10 years. So it is there to protect your driveway, even when the topical sealer has all but disappeared.

5. Preserves the Natural Concrete Look

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer does not leave its mark on your driveway as it gets completely absorbed. This is an advantage if you like the natural look of concrete. Concrete does have an appealing industrial look and feel and complements contemporary and modern home design.

By maintaining the original concrete look, siloxane sealers ensure that the driveway blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and architectural features of the property.

6. Enhanced Longevity

Using a silane/siloxane hybrid concrete sealer significantly increases the lifespan of concrete surfaces. By penetrating deeply into the concrete and forming a protective barrier on the surface, it shields the concrete from damaging elements such as water, chemicals, and stains.

This dual-layer protection prevents deterioration and maintains the structural integrity of the concrete, ensuring it remains durable and functional for many years.

7. Comprehensive Protection

A silane/siloxane hybrid sealer combines the best of both silane and siloxane chemistries, resulting in comprehensive protection for concrete surfaces.

The silane component penetrates deeply, providing internal protection, while the siloxane component forms a surface barrier that enhances water repellency and durability.

This combination ensures thorough protection against moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, chemicals, and other environmental factors, making it an ideal choice for various applications.

8. Breathability

One of the key benefits of a silane/siloxane hybrid sealer is its breathability. While it effectively repels liquid water, it allows moisture vapor to escape from the concrete.

Breathability prevents the buildup of moisture within the concrete and minimizes the risks of cracking, spalling, and other forms of concrete damage.

9. Can be Overcoated with a Topical Sealer, Paint, or Coating

No worries, if you do not like the look of concrete and prefer to coat your driveway. A siloxane concrete sealer is fully compatible with all types of topical sealers, paints, or coatings. This is possible because the siloxane concrete sealer does not form a film on top of the concrete surface.

So go ahead and indulge yourself! Whether it’s a wet-look topical sealer for added gloss, paint for color enhancement, or a decorative coating for a customized look, siloxane sealers serve as an excellent base layer.

10. Easy to Apply, DIY Friendly

Siloxane sealers are remarkably easy to apply, making them an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners. You can apply it using any of the three common methods; brushing, rolling, or spraying.

This DIY-friendly aspect of siloxane sealers saves both time and money, making them cost-effective.

Recommended Products

Irrespective of the sealer chemistry they can be Water-Based or Solvent-Based. I recommend using a silane/siloxane hybrid sealer from Foundation Armor.

Solvent-Based:

Solvent-based penetrating sealers dry faster and can be applied in colder temperatures. However, they have an odor and can be damaging to surrounding materials sensitive to acetones.

Solvent-Based Penetrating Sealer

Water-Based:

Water-based penetrating sealers have little to no odor and are safer for surrounding materials, but have stricter application temperature restrictions.

Water-Based Penetrating Sealer

Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and useful.