What Is Better Concrete Sealer Or Epoxy?
What Is Better Concrete Sealer Or Epoxy?
In general, epoxy sealers tend to be more durable and provide better protection against water and chemical damage than concrete sealers.
Epoxy and urethane coatings are very expensive than a basic concrete sealer, but they provide superior protection, greater water repellency, and better UV resistance. They also tend to be more durable, so they may not need to be redone for years.
However, because epoxies and urethanes are tougher than acrylic sealers, they are a far superior choice for a surface sealer in a heavy traffic area.
They are commonly utilized in big retail establishments, industrial locations, and warehouse floors and are also seen in the majority of airports.
Epoxies and urethanes are designed to create a seal between the concrete substrate and surface coating, resistant to wear from dirt, oil, or other chemicals.
They also provide an impermeable barrier that will prevent water penetration as well as penetration by insects with the intention of nesting or staining any building material surfaces underneath.
Epoxy coatings typically last longer than basic sealers because they form a hard shell on top of the existing layer of protection. However, if the concrete is low in iron and contains clay, it may degrade over time if left unprotected, basically wearing away.
In terms of durability and options for repair or replacement, epoxy coatings tend to be less forgiving than their urethane counterparts. For this reason, the term “Epoxy repairs” is sometimes used when referring to jobs requiring a complete epoxy coating reinstallation.
By contrast, one might refer to a completely new installation of a urethane coating as a “urethane repair.” Urethanes tend to hold up better under non-ideal conditions because these coatings penetrate the previously unprotected concrete rather than creating an impermeable barrier on top.
How Do You Use A Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer?
When putting down a clear penetrating epoxy sealer, you want to ensure you have all the tools you need. The first thing before you can apply the sealer, you first need to make sure the wood is properly prepared. This means cleaning it off and prepping it with a sealer or paint that will protect it from the epoxy.
You will want a trowel, and it is recommended that the trowel be a little wider than an inch. Before using it, clean the trowel thoroughly with water or soap and water so that no dirt or other contaminants remain.
Once your trowel is nice and clean and ready to go, put on some rubber gloves. Make sure they are clean as well! Getting a pair of disposable gloves is best since it can be hard to get rid of all the oils from your hands.
Once the wood is clean and ready, you’ll need to measure the correct amount of resin and hardener. Mix the two ingredients together thoroughly before applying them with a syringe or brush.
You’ll want to apply the mixture in the direction of the grain so that you don’t leave any bubbles. It is best to work from one direction and then go back across the wood in the other direction.
Once the resin and hardener are mixed and ready, it’s time to apply the sealer. Apply the sealer to the wood in a thin, even coat. Allow the sealer to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Once the sealer is dry, it’s time to go over the surface. Make sure to sand all the edges so there are no dead spots where the sealer is not adhering well.
Then, you will want to use a foam brush to scrub off any of the residues left behind. If you use too much pressure with a bristle brush, you can scratch the surface and make it uneven again.
Finally, you will want to apply several coats of clear penetrating epoxy sealer in order to increase durability and resistance to wear.
