Are There Different Grades of Driveway Sealant?

Driveway sealant comes in three grades.

Driveway sealant is also known as blacktop or asphalt sealant, and is applied to the driveway surface periodically for protection against adverse weather conditions, as well as providing a pleasant aesthetic appeal. Three grades of sealant are available for use, namely emulsified asphalt, refined coal tar sealant and 100 percent man-made acrylic polymer sealant.

Asphalt Emulsion Sealant

Asphalt emulsion sealant is the lowest grade sealer on the market, which consists of the same materials used to bind sand and gravel together to create the driveway. In time, this sealant oxidizes, gets brittle and breaks up, then requiring another layer of sealant to repair the damage.

Refined Coal Tar Sealant

This intermediate type of sealant offers resistance to UV rays, oil and gasoline. This is especially useful if older cars will be parked on the driveway and may occasionally leak. The resistance also makes the sealant far less brittle than emulsion sealant.

Coal Tar Sealant With Additional Additives

Some manufacturers of coal tar sealant place additional additives into the sealant such a rubber and polymers, to help create a more elastic sealant. This helps stop shrinkage in hot weather. Clay and fine sand can also be added, which makes the sealer both more durable and easier to apply.

Acrylic Polymer Sealant

This, the best and most expensive type of sealant, are also used to cover blacktop tennis courts. The acrylic in the sealant stays unaffected by both sunlight, and air. The sealant stays flexible usually for many years, and though more expensive than other sealant types, becomes cheaper as it doesn't need to be installed so often.

References

• Ask The Builder: Tips on Sealing New and Old Blacktop Driveways