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If you have just created a new concrete garage floor, basem*nt floor, or concrete driveway, then one thing that you need to be aware of is that concrete is not overly resistant to dusting, moisture, and staining. If you want to keep your concrete looking as good as possible, and if you want to protect it for a long period of time, then you will want to apply either a concrete densifier or concrete sealer.
With that being said, they are two different things and therefore you do need to choose the right one for your application. Here, we are going to compare concrete densifiers and concrete sealers to figure out exactly what they are and what they can do. The main goal here is to help you make an informed decision between the two.
Concrete Densifier and Sealer: The Basics
Before we get into talking about the similarities and differences between concrete sealant and densifier, let’s first provide you with a basic definition of what both of them are.
What Is Concrete Densifier?
The most basic definition here is that a concrete densifier is a special type of chemical solution that is applied to the surface of the concrete and then creates a chemical reaction which ends up increasing the surface density by sealing the pores and holes in the surface of the concrete.
Although concrete densifiers are not often used for home use or indoor purposes, they certainly can be. The main purposes of concrete densifiers are to fill in the various pores on the surface of the concrete, to increase surface density, to improve wear resistance, and to reduce dusting. Dusting is an issue that concrete always suffers from, but using a concrete densifier can help to remedy this issue.
Concrete densifier is often used for commercial purposes, such as for warehouses and loading docks where there is a lot of traffic. What is also important to note is that concrete densifier can be applied to both non-polished and polished concrete.
What Is Concrete Sealer?
On the other hand, we have a concrete sealer. A concrete sealer is a special type of liquid or material that is applied to the top layer of concrete in order to seal it. Now, there are various kinds of concrete sealers out there, with the main ones being polyurethane, acrylic, or epoxy concrete sealers. When these sealers are applied to concrete, they sit on top of the concrete and harden into a solid layer.
This solid layer is designed to provide the concrete with added wear protection, moisture protection, to stop dusting from occurring, and to bring the color and patterns to life. The concrete sealer is designed almost just as much to produce a great look as it is to provide the concrete with protection.
Similarities of Concrete Densifiers and Sealers
Now that we know exactly what concrete densifiers and concrete sealers are, let’s find out what similarities they share.
#1: Both Provide Protection
Of course, both concrete sealers and concrete densifiers are designed to provide your concrete with added protection. Both are designed to prevent the concrete from chipping, cracking, wearing down, suffering from water damage, and more. Both concrete sealers and densifiers can also prevent dusting from occurring. With that being said, the ways in which they do this are quite different.
#2: Both Are Applied Post-Pouring
What is also similar about both of these concrete treatments is that they are both applied after the concrete has already dried and cured. This is of course a very basic similarity, but a similarity nonetheless.
#3: Both Can be DIY
Both concrete sealers and concrete densifiers can be purchased in your local home improvement and building stores. If you know what you are doing, you may apply them both by yourself.
Differences Between Concrete Densifiers and Sealers
Next, let’s look at what will be the key to making your decision – the differences between the two materials.
#1: Chemical Reaction
One of the main differences between concrete densifiers and concrete sealers is that concrete densifiers actually react with the cement and lime in the concrete, and create a chemical reaction which then causes the top layers of the concrete to harden, and also causes the pores in the top layers to fill in.
In other words, a concrete densifier works by creating a chemical reaction that causes the top layers of the concrete to harden and become denser.
On the other hand, concrete sealers do not create any kind of chemical reaction. Concrete sealers create a film or membrane on top of the concrete as opposed to penetrating into it and creating a chemical reaction. Concrete sealers simply sit on top of the concrete.
#2: Permanence
Yet another main difference between concrete sealer and concrete densifier is that concrete sealer will most likely need to be reapplied every few years. Because concrete sealer forms a layer or membrane on top of the concrete, it can therefore also be worn down and chip away over time.
On the other hand, because concrete densifier creates a chemical reaction with the top layers of concrete, it is extremely permanent and cannot be undone. In other words, concrete densifier is much longer-lasting and does not need to be reapplied on a regular basis.
#3: Weight-Bearing Capabilities
Now, concrete on its own can already bear a whole lot of weight. However, what you need to know here is that concrete densifier, as the name implies, does actually make the concrete denser, and therefore makes it more resistant to pressure and weight. Concrete sealer, on the other hand, because it does not make concrete denser or harder, does not do as well in terms of weight-bearing applications.
In other words, concrete densifier does actually make concrete harder, denser, and stronger, whereas concrete sealer really just adds a protective layer over top.
#4: Amount of Protection
As you might be able to guess by this point, due to the fact that concrete densifier creates a chemical reaction that actually changes the structure of the top layers of the concrete, it, therefore, does also provide added protection to the concrete, especially when compared to basic concrete sealer.
While concrete sealer is great for providing a protective membrane over top that can protect against moisture damage and physical damage, due to the fact that it can wear away over time, it is not the best option to go with, especially when compared to concrete densifier that actually changes the structure of the concrete. When it comes down to it, concrete densifier just adds more protection than concrete sealer.
#5: Appearance
The other thing that you need to keep in mind here is that concrete densifier will not change the overall appearance of the concrete and is therefore not the best for indoor purposes where you need great aesthetic appeal.
Concrete sealers, on the other hand, can alter the appearance of the concrete, and there are many different kinds out there, so you can achieve the exact look that you want. There are of course concrete sealers out there that come complete with various colors and textures. This is not the case for concrete densifier. Concrete densifier doesn’t look very nice.
Concrete Densifier vs. Sealer: Which of the Two Should You Use?
What it really all comes down to is what your primary purpose is.
If you are going for maximum protection and it is an outdoor surface, then concrete densifier is the choice to go with. However, if you are just looking to protect your concrete and it is for indoor purposes, especially if you want great aesthetic appeal, then concrete sealer is the way to go.
In case you decide to go with the latter, make sure to check my recommendations of the best concrete sealers.
Summary
Now that you know what all of the differences between concrete sealer and concrete densifier are, you can make an informed decision between the two.
