Concrete sealers are chemical substances that are very essential for protecting concrete surfaces from water erosion, staining, extreme temperatures, oil, dirt, and other contaminants. They provide a strong layer of temporary or permanent protection to concrete floors and surfaces. Protecting the surfaces from moisture, they help improve the durability of concrete, and at the same time, they manage their appearance. To Find more info here about Acrylic concrete sealers Sydney.
Importance Of Acrylic Concrete Sealers
Acrylic sealers are the most widely preferred concrete sealers in the concrete industry. Besides budget-friendly their application is straightforward and quick. They can be applied after the installation of concrete and possess remarkable recoating abilities. Some acrylics are ultraviolet resistant.
If you are looking out for a concrete sealer that functions well against moisture, chemical, de-icing salt, or oil absorption, acrylics are the ideal sealer type. Being thinner than other types of concrete sealers, acrylic does not allow anything to slip through the cracks.
Acrylic can be used both in the interior as well as on the exterior concrete surfaces. They play a crucial role in improving the color of the concrete, irrespective of the concrete type stamped or stained. After the application acrylics dry in a shorter time, nearly around an hour.
One drawback of acrylic sealing is that they are not so durable. They are thin which means that they wear away quite fast and you will be required to apply chemicals once in a couple of months and recoat soon. Acrylic sealers turn yellow after some time unless you opt to use a sealer with a non-yellowing chemical. Sometimes they might divide into layers damaging smooth concrete surfaces.
In terms of usage, acrylics are good for full depth colored concrete, exposed aggregate, stencil concrete, pattern concrete, and style pave concrete coatings. They are used in exterior surfaces to protect them from Chloride and water intrusion. Acrylic is also used in interior surfaces for protection and to give aesthetic look by enhancing the color. Since acrylic dry quickly, they are preferred over others for fast track projects.
There are two types of acrylic concrete sealers- water-based concrete acrylics and solvent-based concrete sealers.
Water-based acrylic sealers
These acrylic sealers are suspended in water that has several advantages over the other main type which are solvent-based concrete sealers. Water-based do not release harmful vapors into the atmosphere, are cheaper, are safer for workers, and easier to apply. They are more durable than solvents and reduce sealer issues such as bubbling and roller marks.
However, if a problem arises, water-based acrylics are difficult to remove. They don’t function well at temperatures less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit and often freeze in low temperatures. They don’t provide the darkening effect which many people prefer.
Solvent-based acrylic sealers
Solvent-based acrylic sealers include those suspended in a solvent. Solvent-based acrylic sealers perform much better for outdoor applications than water-based acrylics especially in terms of enhancing the color. They provide the concrete surface a nice look by giving a darkening effect that some customers prefer. Solvent-based acrylics are much more feasible in case of recoating than water-based ones as they don’t require any extra preparation before the recoating, whereas water-based acrylics need to be screen sanded before recoating can be applied.
