If you are building a good walkway, then you are probably aware of the fact that this is not a mild or insignificant investment. A good walkway takes a lot of time and energy, not to mention money.
Before we move on, we’re going to be using the term “walkway” to refer to a general paved surface, but people use paved surfaces for all kinds of different things, and not just walkways, so we’ll use words such as “pavers” and “surfaces”, as well.
However, for many people, this investment is completely worth it, because, by the time you have finished constructing the whole thing, it looks amazing, and it serves as a nice surface to walk on, as well. All in all, it has a strong level of practicality, while also adding various aesthetic elements to your home and the yard that the walkway is part of.
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Our Recommended Paver Sealers in 2022
9) MasonryDefender Low Gloss
- Invisible Waterproofing Protection - Milky white in appearance when first applied, and dries clear
- Non-Yellowing, Clear, Water-Based, VOC Compliant Acrylic Sealer - Low Odor and Easy Cleanup with Soap & Water
- Helps Prevent Color Loss on Patio Stone Pavers
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8) MasonrySaver Epoxy
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7) DOMINATOR High Gloss
- COLD WEATHER WARNING: Do not apply if surface temperature is expected to be below 50° for 48 hours before &...
- PROTECTS against oil stains and other spills while providing the ultimate weather resistance on surfaces...
- GREAT COVERAGE RATE: 250-400 square feet per gallon, per coat. You will save money and time by reducing...
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6) MasonryDefender Gloss
- Clear, Waterproof Protection With a Gloss, Wet-Look - Gives Pavers a Slightly Darker, Enhanced Color
- Low Odor, Water-Based, VOC Compliant Acrylic Sealer - Easily Cleans Up with Soap & Water (an industrial orange...
- UV Protective Coating Helps Prevent Color Loss & Hardens Joint Sand to Lock it in Place
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5) DOMINATOR No Gloss
- WET LOOK, NO GLOSS: Give yourself the gift of outstanding curb appeal with the DOMINATOR NG+. It restores...
- PROTECTS against oil stains and other spills while providing the ultimate weather resistance on surfaces...
- GREAT COVERAGE RATE: 250-400 square feet per gallon, per coat. You will save money and time by reducing...
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4) DOMINATOR Low Gloss
- COLD WEATHER WARNING: Do not apply if surface temperature is expected to be below 50° for 48 hours before &...
- Protects against oil stains and other spills while providing the ultimate weather resistance on surfaces...
- Great coverage rate: 250-400 square feet per gallon, per coat. You will save money and time by reducing...
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3) Armor AR500 High Gloss
- Armor AR500 is available in (3) formulations: 700 VOC, 350 VOC, and 50 VOC. Please see the VOC information in...
- Will enhance dull and faded surfaces with a high gloss wet look. It will darken the surface to make it look...
- Will reduce damage caused by surface abrasion, road salts, water absorption, and exposure to the elements.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2) Armor AR350 5GL
- Armor AR350 is available in (3) formulations: 700 VOC, 350 VOC, and 50 VOC. Please see the VOC information in...
- Will enhance dull and faded surfaces with a low gloss wet look. It will darken the surface to make it look...
- Will reduce damage caused by surface abrasion, road salts, water absorption, and exposure to the elements.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1) Armor AR350 1GL
- Armor AR350 is available in (3) formulations: 700 VOC, 350 VOC, and 50 VOC. Please see the VOC information in...
- Will enhance dull and faded surfaces with a low gloss wet look. It will darken the surface to make it look...
- Will reduce damage caused by surface abrasion, road salts, water absorption, and exposure to the elements.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s the thing, though, while this investment is, more often than not, completely worth it, there are still a few things that you need to consider. And, one of these things is the fact that these types of walkways aren’t exactly the most durable or solid. If something were to happen, such as an intense rainstorm or some type of accident, the walkway would become damaged, and this would lead to your investment becoming somewhat invalid, forcing you to pay for repairs.
Along with that, in terms of the longevity of most walkways, they just don’t last for that long, and this is really something that is unfortunate, because it means that you will have to replace this walkway after a few years, and it’s not going to last you for the longest stretch of time, even though it did cost a lot of money and take so much time and energy.
Fortunately, there is a very good solution to these problems. This is a solution that many people are familiar with but somewhat uncertain as to how they should go about it. As you probably figured out, this solution is that of applying a paver sealer to the walkway, which will make the walkway stronger, and resistant to various types of damage that can be caused by things like the weather, and general usage.
Most people are unfamiliar with the intricacies of paver sealers, or what they are intended to do. In this buying guide, we’re going to be taking an in-depth look at paver sealers, and from this information, you are going to have a very easy time finding the very best paver sealer for your walkway, while also having a greater understanding of what a paver sealer does.
What Is A Paver Sealer?
Before we dive into the intricacies of what you should look for and consider, when searching for the best paver sealer, we’re going to define what a paver sealer is.
So, a paver sealer is a type of sealer that consists of various chemicals. Each one of these chemicals is designed to combine with the other chemicals so that they can easily bond to the chemicals found in the stone that you have used for your walkway.
You see, most stones have a very porous structure. There are all kinds of little spaces that, while very small, these chemicals are able to penetrate, and when they penetrate into these spaces, they can then bond and attach themselves to the substrate found within these stones, while also covering up the entrances into those spaces, which can often serve as weak points. By doing this, they strengthen that substrate and ensure that it is nice and strong, without having the same weaknesses and flaws that, without the paver sealer, it would have. In some cases, these paver sealers also make your stones look a certain way, adding some style and aesthetic beauty to your walkway.
Ultimately, though, a paver sealer is a type of chemical product that you use to seal up the various spaces within the individual stones of your walkway. By doing this, you ensure that your walkway can last for a significantly longer time, and that is is more durable and more resistant to various types of damage.
What Are The Biggest Advantages Of Using A Paver Sealer?
So, a paver sealer has one very distinct advantage, when it comes to improving upon the durability and strength of your walkway. And, that is the biggest advantage of them all, because it ensures a few things.
Walkways are designed for people to walk on them. It’s in the name. And, when people walk on these walkways, the stones that comprise these walkways get a little bit weaker, moment by moment. That’s normal. However, a paver sealer minimizes some of that damage, which allows for the walkway to last for a longer period.
Instead of having a walkway that only lasts for a few years, your walkway might last for a decade.
With a good paver sealer, you are also able to protect your walkway from the weather. Intense rainstorms, as well as things like snow and even the intensity of the sun, can all lead to the degradation of your walkway. But, with a good paver sealer, you create resistance, and this resistance protects the walkway from those types of damage.
What Do I Need To Look For And Consider?
Paver sealers are a little tricky, because there are so many of them, and each one is designed for its general purpose. This means that it isn’t always the easiest to find a paver sealer that has been designed for your purpose.
In this part of the buying guide, we’re going to focus a lot on asking questions that have to do with your particular walkway, so that you can find the very best paver sealer. There is no “one size fits all” answer to this question, so that is why we’re taking this approach.
Where Is This Paved Surface Located?
So, the first question you need to ask has to do with where this paved surface is located. More specifically, you need to consider the purpose that this paved surface serves, because every paved surface will require its type of paver sealer.
For example, if the paved surface that you intend to seal is housed within an indoor space, then you don’t need a paver sealer that has been designed to protect against traditional weather damage or things like UV rays. Instead, you need a paver sealer that has been designed to enhance the general durability and strength of the paved surface, rather than those particular types of damage, which would take place if the surface was outdoors.
So, make sure to consider this, and to consider the types of damage that the paved surface might experience, and then look for paver sealers that have been designed to deal with this particular type of damage.
What Type Of Surface Is This Paved Surface Made Out Of?
Most paved surfaces are made out of things like stone, as well as various types of concrete. Each one of these materials is a little different, and as a result, it requires a paver sealer that has been designed to accommodate that particular material and the unique demands that the material requires.
If you are using stamped concrete, make sure to find a paver sealer that has been designed for stamped concrete, or else it won’t work very well, and the sealing process really won’t be that good.
How Deep Can The Paver Sealer Penetrate?
When it comes to finding a paver sealer, you’ll find that the penetration is measured in inches, as well as feet, and refers to the general depth of the penetration process, when it comes to how deep the stones are, and how deep the spaces within those stones are.
It can be hard to determine the ideal depth, so we’re not going to do that. Instead, we’re going to say that it is better to purchase a paver sealer that can penetrate deeply because this ensures that it prevents things like moisture from flowing freely, as well as ensuring those spaces don’t become damaged and remain strong and durable.
Ideally, the paver sealer will chemically bond, as well, which also enhances the durability.
How Does The Paver Sealer Change The Surface, Aesthetically?
This is the final thing to consider. Most paver sealers don’t create any significant aesthetic changes or differences when it comes to the color of the surface, but some of them do.
If this is the case, it is important to consider what those changes will be, and how they will affect the overall look of the surface, and whether or not that is a desirable change, or not.
Most of the time, though, you can cover up the surface with a finish, assuming that the paver sealer supports this.
Conclusion
Setting up a walkway, or any other paved surface, is a big investment, and it’s important to protect that investment. By following this guide, you’ll have no problems doing that!
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