Best Concrete Sealers for Driveways & Patios
Outdoor concrete doesn’t last long without protection. Sun, salt, water, and freeze‑thaw cycles slowly break down the surface until it starts cracking, pitting, or turning chalky. A good sealer stops that damage before it starts. In this guide, I cover the best concrete sealers for driveways and patios based on how they actually hold up outside—not just what the label claims.
Related Guides
- Outdoor Concrete Sealer – Best options for protecting driveways, patios, and exterior slabs from weather, water, and surface wear.
- Indoor Concrete Sealers – Protect basement and interior floors from moisture, dusting, and everyday foot traffic.
- Epoxy Concrete Coatings – Overview of epoxy, polyaspartic, and polyurethane coatings and where each one performs best.
- Sealers & Coatings Hub – Your main resource for choosing the right sealer or coating for any concrete surface.
- Cleaning & Maintenance Guide – Keep your concrete looking clean and prevent long‑term damage with simple, routine care.
Foundation Armor SX5000 (Penetrating Silane/Siloxane) WB
A deep‑penetrating, breathable sealer that protects driveways and patios from water, salt, and freeze‑thaw damage. If its for your driveway, sidewalk, or patio stop looking this is the one you want.
- Long‑lasting penetrating protection
- Excellent for freeze‑thaw climates
- Doesn’t change color or gloss
Foundation Armor AR350 (Acrylic Wet‑Look Sealer)
A solvent‑based acrylic that gives driveways and patios a rich, enhanced finish. Perfect for homeowners who want color depth, light gloss, and surface protection in one product. Perfect for stamped colored concrete.
- Wet‑look finish enhances color
- Protects against water and surface wear
- Great for stamped or decorative concrete
- Easy roller or sprayer application
Ghostshield Siloxa‑Tek 8500 (Premium Penetrating Sealer)
A high‑performance silane/siloxane blend that soaks deep into the slab and forms a durable hydrophobic barrier. Great for high‑traffic driveways and harsh weather conditions. May need more then 1 gallon.
- Extremely durable hydrophobic barrier
- Great for driveways with heavy traffic
- UV‑stable and breathable
- Works on broom‑finished or smooth concrete
Armor AR500 High Gloss Wet Look Concrete
A strong, solvent‑based acrylic sealer that gives stamped concrete, patios, and decorative outdoor slabs a bold, high‑gloss finish. Perfect for homeowners who want deep color enhancement and a durable, wet‑look shine that stands up to UV, water, and foot traffic.
- High‑gloss finish with rich color enhancement
- Excellent for stamped and decorative concrete
- UV‑resistant and durable in outdoor conditions
- Easy roller or sprayer application
RadonSeal Deep Penetrating Concrete Sealer
A water‑based, deep‑penetrating sealer that strengthens the concrete from within and helps reduce moisture, dusting, and surface wear. Great for homeowners who want long‑term protection without gloss, odor, or solvents.
- Penetrates deep to harden and densify concrete
- Natural, no‑gloss finish
- Low‑odor, water‑based formula
- Helps reduce moisture and surface dusting
Buyer Tips From Someone Who’s Done This Their Entire Life
If you’re sealing a normal broom‑finished driveway or patio, a water‑based penetrating sealer is almost always the best choice. It protects the slab without changing the look, and it holds up great in freeze‑thaw climates. I tend to stay away from acrylics on plain concrete whenever I can. But for stamped or colored concrete, low‑gloss and high‑gloss acrylic sealers are awesome. There’s nothing better than watching a dried‑out stamped pad come back to life with that wet‑look finish. Just remember—glossy acrylics usually need to be reapplied every couple of years. These aren’t guesses or marketing lines; they’re recommendations from someone who’s been sealing concrete their entire life.