Does Concrete Flooring Need to be Sealed?

Internal concrete floors can look simply stunning, often masquerading as another kind of material entirely. So, if you want the luxurious look of cool marble or the dark moodiness of slate but without the price tag, then concrete flooring is the option.

With all kinds of additions, along with an effective sealant, your concrete floor can look stunning for a long, long time – and without the need to buff it and wax it and polish it over and over again.

Sounds too good but to be true but it isn’t. Sealing concrete floors is essential however as taking the time to lay down this final layer of protection prolongs the life of your floor and it also helps to enhance and preserve the amazing appearance of it.

What types of floor sealers should you use on interior concrete floors?

We suggest using film-forming sealers as these form a protective film over the concrete surface. These work well with interior decorative concrete floors. There are several different types of sealers and sealants for concrete floors, with all kinds of advantages and limitations so choose with the help of an expert.

Will the sealant work well with the decorative treatment on my floor?

When it comes to sealing concrete floors, this is an important question to ask.

Sealers work by bonding with the top surface of the concrete floor and thus, you need to be confident that the sealer you choose with work with stained concrete, or a floor overlay, or polished or dyed flooring.

Choosing the wrong one will seal the floor but may result in unwanted side effects such as blistering floor surface bubbling or bleeding. This effectively destroys all the hard work you have put in to creating the final finish and look you were hoping for.

Do sealers protect interior concrete floors from scuffs and stains?

Scuffs and stains are the two things you will want to avoid on the surface of your interior concrete floor. You want the high gloss sheen to stay for as long as possible because this is exactly the look you are looking for.

The good news is that for a decorative interior concrete floor, a high-build sealer will offer brilliant resistance to scuffs and staining. You are looking for a product that offers both the best protection as well as ease of maintenance too. High traffic areas, like your hallway can be at most risk if becoming dull with use.

In some cases, using the wrong product can means spending time building up the sealant on the floor so that as much protection as possible is afforded to the top layer beneath it. With the right sealant, you won’t need to banish high heels at the front door…

Does the area need to be well-ventilated when sealant is being applied?

When working in a confined space or indoors, most concrete flooring specialists will suggest using a water-based sealant rather than a solvent-based one. This is very important in a space that cannot be ventilated adequately enough as the ‘fumes’ from this kind of sealant product can be incredibly potent.

How do I know that my chosen sealer will provide the sheen that I want on my concrete floor?

Different sealants will offer different finishes and so it is important to have an idea of the finish you would like.

If, for example, you want a high sheen finish similar to polished marble floors, opt for medium to high gloss sheen. If you don’t want a glossy surface, there are film-forming sealants for interior concrete floors in a matte or low-gloss finish.

How long will the sealer last on the floor?

This is a common question and no surprise when you consider the effort and disruption of adding yet more sealer to your concrete floor!

In a busy household, you want the finish of your floor to last for as long as possible. The life expectancy of a sealer largely depends on

• the conditions under which it operates
• how well the floor is maintained

The type of floor sealer is clearly a factor too. Epoxies and urethanes deliver the best in terms of long-lasting performance, sometimes lasting years before the need for reapplication.

As an expert concrete flooring company, we will tell you that when it comes to sealing concrete floors, you get what you pay for. It can be tempting at this point after spending so much on your concrete floor, to pinch the pennies when it comes to the sealing product.

If you do, you may find that the sealant has worn away after a year or so, meaning you have to re-apply all over again.