Silane-Siloxane sealers are a popular choice for sealing concrete, brick, natural stone, and masonry. They work entirely below the surface to reduce damage and deterioration caused by water absorption. Silane-Siloxane sealers are a great choice if you don’t want to change the look of your substrate, and if you don’t want to maintain a film or coating. Benefits of using a Silane-Siloxane sealer:
- They work entirely below the surface
- They don’t leave a slippery surface film
- They require little to no maintenance
- They are easy to apply
- They help to reduce water damage to the surface
While silane-siloxane sealers are a great choice for many applications, they do have their limitations. Because they work entirely below the surface, the surface is left exposed. Staining, damage, and deterioration can occur. If you require complete and total protection, you may want to consider an acrylic sealer instead.
Water-Based Silane-Siloxane Sealer Uses
Water-based silane-siloxane sealers are great for unsealed surfaces. Because they need to penetrate in order to react, you can’t apply them to a surface that has a film or coating on it. You can apply silane-siloxane sealers over surfaces previously sealed with a silicate sealer, or a silane-siloxane sealer so long as the existing silane-siloxane sealer no longer beads water.
Silane-Siloxane sealers are great sealers for concrete, brick, natural stone, and masonry. They can be used to seal driveways, walkways, patios, pool decks, chimneys, curbing, stone walls, garage floors, and more. The possibilities are virtually endless!
Water-Based Silane-Siloxane Sealers VS Solvent-Based Silane-Siloxane Sealers
When it comes to life and performance, you will have a very similar experience with water-based silane-siloxane sealers and solvent-based siloxane sealers. Where most end users see a difference is with the application and clean-up.
- Water based silane siloxane sealers have little to no odor while solvent based silane siloxane sealers have a strong odor during application
- Water based silane siloxane sealers don’t require solvent-resistant rollers or sprayers
- Water based silane siloxane sealers can be used in all 50 states, while solvent based silane siloxane sealers can’t be used in low VOC states
- Water based silane siloxane sealers can be cleaned up with soap and water, while solvent based silane siloxane sealers require stronger chemicals like acetone or xylene
Best Water-Based Silane Siloxane Sealers
Below is a list of the top water-based silane siloxane sealers:
- Armor SX5000 WB – DOT Approved, PRO-Grade Silane-Siloxane
- Rain Guard – Water-Based Silane-Siloxane
- Masonry Defender – Water Based Silane-Siloxane
- DryWay – Water-Based Silane-Siloxane
- Siloxa-Tek – Water-Based Silane-Siloxane
How To Choose The Best Silane-Siloxane Sealer For Your Application
The best way to choose the best silane-siloxane sealer for your application is to apply a small sample to a test area. This is the best way for you to see how a specific product is going to perform on your exact substrate. Large manufacturers will sell samples for homeowners and contractors to try. Here are a few other things to consider:
- Ratings and reviews
- Customer photos
- Shipping times
- Certifications
- Price
- Quality
Frequently Asked Questions About Silane-Siloxane Sealers
Do Silane-Siloxane sealers cause water to bead off the surface? Silane-siloxane sealers create a hydrophobic barrier that reduces the absorption of water and other liquids. Resin that has hardened within the exposed surface pores can cause a beading effect, but that effect will only last as long as the sealer survives in the exposed surface pores. Some surfaces won’t ever bead water, and some can bead water for a few months.
How long do Silane-Siloxane sealers last? This will vary depending on the type of silane-siloxane sealer used, the porosity of the substrate the sealer was applied to, and the amount of sealer that was applied. Lower quality sealers will wear away after 1-2 years, and higher quality sealers can last up to a decade.
Are all Silane-Siloxane sealers the same? Not all silane-siloxane sealers are the same. There are many differences from one product to the next including resin quality, solids content, etc.