Concrete sealers can be broadly divided into penetrating and film-forming systems. Both can protect concrete, but they work differently and produce different appearances. The best choice depends on the substrate, exposure and finish required.
Penetrating sealers absorb into the pores of concrete or masonry rather than relying on a continuous surface film. Silane and siloxane technologies can make the substrate water repellent while retaining greater water-vapour permeability than conventional film-forming coatings.
Penetrating treatments are useful where protection is required without a heavy topical coating. Some can also enhance the colour of concrete or stone. Fortis Wet Look Penetrating Sealer & Enhancer is a silane/siloxane blend designed to deepen and enrich the substrate appearance.
Film-forming sealers create a protective coating over the concrete surface. Acrylic sealers are commonly used on driveways, paving, exposed aggregate and decorative concrete where surface protection and colour enhancement are required.
Fortis offers AcrylaSeal™, a water-based acrylic sealer, and AcrylaSolv™, a solvent-based acrylic sealer.
Choose based on the required appearance, substrate porosity, exposure and maintenance requirements. Test a small area first because different concrete and stone surfaces can respond differently to penetrating and film-forming sealers.