How to Determine a Quality Coating for Your Driveway

Seal driveways to protect them.

Driveway coatings are used to protect and repair your driveway. They keep stains out, solidify the driveway and make it easier to clean. Many types of driveway coatings are available. You can even get tinted driveways to change the look and boost your landscaping appeal. Asphalt and concrete are the two types of driveways that need sealing. Pavers, such as brick or cobblestone, do not usually need the extra protection. Plan ahead to determine what is the best sealer for your situation.

Instructions

1. Decide what you want to achieve when you are choosing a sealer or top coat. If you want to repair the driveway, you'll need a concrete resurfacer. If you want to seal and protect the driveway, you'll need a sealant that is appropriate for the substrate, such as asphalt or concrete.

2. Determine whether you want a penetrating sealer or a topical treatment. Penetrating sealers work deep into the concrete and harden the concrete slightly as they dry. Topical sealants provide a glossy, protective layer to the top of the driveway. The latter is better at keeping out stains but also makes the surface more slippery. Asphalt has similar types. Emulsion sealers provide a sealing top coat while liquid asphalt penetrates into the asphalt.

3. Choose if you want a tinted sealer. Tints are available for exterior and interior use. On driveways, you can surface the driveway with a texture or pattern and have the sealer tinted so it replicates brick, cobblestone or another pattern. Colored asphalt sealers are also available and are applied over black asphalts. They are often marketed as cold asphalt emulsion sealers.

4. Gather all of your information and take it to a home supply store. Narrow down the types of sealers that fit your needs. Purchase the best sealer that fits your budget. Avoid buying low-grade, economic sealers because they will need reapplication more often.

Tips & Warnings

• Topical sealers are usually made from polyurethane, epoxy or acrylic. Acrylic is economical but needs to be reapplied more frequently. Polyurethane is thicker than acrylic but shouldn't get wet while it cures. Epoxy is effective but can yellow with age.

• You can make the concrete less slippery by texturing it when the concrete is poured or adding texture, such as plastic beads, to the sealer before coating the driveway.

References

• This Old House: Blacktop and Beyond
• This Old House: Treat With Sealer
• This Old House: How to Renew Concrete Surfaces
• This Old House: Digging Out Your Concrete? Don't Damage Your Driveway
• Concrete Network: Tinted Sealers -- What are They?
• Concrete Network: Concrete Sealer -- Buyer's Guide
• Concrete Network: Compare Concrete Sealers
• Concrete Network: Types of Concrete Driveway Sealer

Resources

• This Old House: Fixing Cracks in Concrete
• Concrete Network: Slip Resistant Coatings