Is your landscaping basking in concrete paving stones or pavers? Guess all that’s left is for you to get some paving stone sealer to safeguard your driveway and walkways. Why, though? Because such surfaces are easily soiled or stained. 

Instead of worrying about how you can deep clean such surfaces, opt for a sealer to shield your paving stones and restore your pavers to their original colouring. 

Characteristics of Paving Stone Protective Sealants

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Ascertaining the technical characteristics of paving stone sealers retailing in big box stores isn’t as easy as it sounds. This stems from a simple reason: its composition is somewhat of a trade secret. Manufacturers are solely required to list hazardous substances on product technical datasheets. 

However, by reading product-specific literature, you can probably come to understand that paving stone sealers are typically composed of at least eight ingredients:

1. Surfactant a.k.a surface active agent

2. Latex

3. Polyvinyl acetate

4. Acrylic polymer

5. Rubber and nitrile rubber, also known as NBR, which stands for nitrile butadiene rubber

6. Neoprene

7. Slag or sand

8. Colouring agents

The combination of the above-listed products results in the many characteristics unique to paving stone sealers.

1. Surfactants for Long-Lasting Results

The best paving stone sealer features a surfactant. As a matter of fact, said surfactant allows for the following:

• Improves the sealant’s coating capacities

• Increases the sealant’s adherence to the pathway

• Makes it easier to evenly distribute the sealer over the intended surface

• Makes for longer-lasting results

These features make paving stone sealers especially useful, and it surely doesn’t end with those four.

2. Latex Evens Out the Colour

Latex added to paving stone sealers allows for the following:

• Thickens the sealant

• Allows the sand or slag to be spread evenly

• Improves the sealer’s hardening time

• Evens out the colour when applied

Said characteristics are further reinforced by polyvinyl acetate.

3. Polyvinyl Acetate Strengthens the Effect of Latex

Much like latex, polyvinyl acetate allows for the following:

• Thickens the sealant

• Allows the sand or slag to be spread evenly

• Improves the sealer’s hardening time

4. Acrylic Polymer Goes Above and Beyond

While it does take on the same characteristics as latex and polyvinyl acetate, acrylic polymer brings new and indispensable features to the sealant’s overall quality. Indeed, it shields the intended surface from the following:

• Ultraviolet rays

• Solvents

5. Rubber and Nitrile Rubber

These ingredients take on the benefits of acrylic polymer, rendering the paving stone sealer additional strengthening features:

• Waterproof

• Chemical product-proof (most notably acids)

To reinforce said strengthening features, paving stone sealer manufacturers add Neoprene to their formulas. 

6. Neoprene Enhances the Sealer's Barrier

Neoprene, or polychloroprene, ensures paving stone sealers withstand the following:

• Gentle acid-based products

• Oil stains

• Grease

7. Slag or Sand

Slag or sand is one of the final ingredients added to sealers. It allows for the following:

• Increases the sealer’s adherence to the intended surface

• Protects against wear

• Fills in cracks on paved surfaces

8. Colour Boost Paver Sealer

Most sealers sold in stores either have a glossy or matte finish, ensuring the natural-looking aspect of the stone or concrete paver is retained. However, some sealants may contain carbon black to darken the sealant or darken its colour.

Others are mainly used to coat tennis courts or running tracks, given their signature red or blue colour. 

The Benefits of Applying a Sealer

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Damage-Protected Concrete Pavers

Paving stone sealers are used as a barrier between the pavers themselves and dirt, oil, chemical products, salt, calcium, as well as UV rays.

Such a protective coating is especially worthwhile in Quebec given that it shields pavers from the adverse effects of climate change. Sealers allow the jointing material to better withstand freeze-thaw cycles, as well as rain-shine cycles.

Revamped Aesthetic: Matte, Semi-Gloss, or Satin

A paving stone sealer can be used to amplify the stone’s natural colour through a matte, semi-gloss, or satin finish.

Fight Off Efflorescence

Efflorescence—that white substance coating your concrete slab or paving stones—is the result of a simple occurrence: salt found in concrete or paving formulas, and especially in mortar. Lime and Portland cement are particularly affected by the presence of salt.

However, said salt coating can also migrate toward your pavers or paving stones on account of the moisture in the air (fog, rain) given that humidity carries these elements from other structures that are also affected by efflorescence. 

There’s only one way to ward off salt deposits: limit the material’s porosity. And it so happens to be a sealer's purpose. Bear in mind that its composition can be used to fill in the cracks found on paved surfaces, rendering the intended surfaces less porous. 

Salt is embedded into the material, ensuring efflorescence doesn’t occur. Say goodbye to white soles when walking barefoot in your backyard or driveway.

Simplified Maintenance and Care

Sealers limit the stone’s porosity, preventing them from staining with tire tracks or other. As such, you’ll save on cleaning products made mandatory for cleaning deep-rooted stains on concrete or paving stones.

For additional peace of mind, paving stone sealers are among the must-have products, that are also easy to use, allowing your landscaping stones to look as good as new.

Do Paving Stone Sealers Prevent Weeds from Growing?

The short answer is no. Paving stone sealers weren’t made to fight off weeds. Polymeric sand is what allows you to ward off weed growth. For paver joints that are under ¼ inch wide (0.6 cm), a 40-pound (18 kilograms) bag is plenty to treat 50- to 60-square-foot surfaces (4.6 to 5.6 square metres). 

If your paved surface has quarter-inch or half-inch joints, a 40-pound bag will coat 20- to 35-square-foot surfaces (1.8 to 3.2 square metres).

Also, remove the weeds as soon as you start spotting them, doing so will prevent unwanted greenery from proliferating across all joints. 

Product Examples and Pricing

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Retailed in 5-gallon containers (18.9 litres) or 1-gallon containers (4 litres), a single coat is all you really need. It’s a need-based decision, really.

Techniseal

Techniseal is a Quebec-based company that features among the top, global industry leaders in sealers. Said company retails sealers designed for paving stones and concrete, available in a range of finishes:

• Wet look

• Satin

• Natural looking

• Semi-glossy

• Clear

The gallon retails between $90 - $140 for a natural, matte-looking result, $90 - $100 for a satin-like finish, and $60 - $80 for a wet look or semi-gloss finish. 

Stonesaver

Stonesaver is an Ontario-based company, retailing quality sealers in all hardware stores. Its products, you ask? Sealers made specifically for concrete, pavers, and natural stones, helping highlight the colour of each and restoring old-looking stones to their former glory.

Stonesaver retails for $70 - $80 per gallon for matte-looking results.

Customer Reviews: Wet Look Concrete, Smell, and More

After perusing client reviews published on Rona’s website, we’ve deduced that people are pretty divided when it comes to paving stone sealers. Some claim that their driveways are dirtier than ever since applying the product.

Others say that the sealer’s “wet look” lasts for about a week, tops. However, some made of point of saying that it’s super easy to apply; it’s a quality product that doesn’t smell too strong, and haven’t had an issue with it, even after 15 years.

Conclusion: If you need to protect your paving stones or concrete walkway, don’t hesitate to try it out. In fact, the product’s quality appears to be satisfactory nonetheless and long-lasting, too.