What is the best finish for exterior concrete?

Author: Justina King  |  Last update: Sunday, March 30, 2025

Stamped concrete is one of the most popular types of finish for patios. Also, it is used for porches, driveways, and sidewalks. So, it is a perfect option for your concrete patio! This type of concrete finish is achieved by placing “stamps” with the desired texture on the surface of the concrete.

What is the most durable outdoor concrete finish?

Several options stand out when considering durable coatings for exterior concrete: Epoxy Coatings: Known for their robustness, epoxy coatings are ideal for areas that endure heavy usage. They offer resistance to abrasion and chemicals, making them a popular choice for industrial and commercial spaces.

What is the best treatment for outdoor concrete?

Polyaspartic coatings are a newer option for outdoor concrete patios and offer excellent durability and UV resistance. They can be applied quickly and your floors will be ready for use in just three hours after applying and will also provide a beautiful, glossy finish.

Should exterior concrete be sealed?

While it might be tempting to skip one more step, we highly recommend that you seal your concrete project! Whether it's to enhance colors or to repel stains, sealers are a vital step in most concrete jobs.

What is the best cover for outdoor concrete?

The most common types of outdoor concrete coverings include stamped concrete, concrete overlays, exposed aggregate concrete, concrete pavers, and decorative concrete coatings. Each offers unique aesthetic and functional benefits for outdoor spaces.

America's Best Concrete Stain

What is the best material to put over a concrete patio?

When considering durability, both terracotta tiles and stamped concrete are excellent choices. They withstand weather elements and heavy use. This makes them ideal for high-traffic outdoor areas, particularly if you enjoy entertaining at home.

What is the best concrete sealer for outside?

Solvent based acrylic sealers or acrylic modified polyurethane sealers are usually recommended for exterior concrete surfaces. While solvent based sealers have to be applied every other year acrylic modified polyurethane sealers last longer, say about 3 to 5 years.

Should I seal concrete after pressure washing?

Oil leaks, blood, and sticky residues can absorb and result in stubborn stains. However, using a driveway sealant after pressure washing can help prevent these stains from becoming permanent features in your driveway.

How do you protect exterior concrete?

Penetrating – Penetrating sealers are an ideal choice for driveways, patios and walkways. Like the name suggests, penetrating sealers seep deeper into the concrete to create a protective barrier against damaging factors like moisture and deicers. Penetrating sealers can be water- or solvent-based.

How long does exterior concrete sealer last?

You can get similar performance by using an epoxy or urethane system, which generally lasts 5 to 10 years depending on traffic exposure. Acrylic-resin sealers offer the shortest performance life - generally 1 to 3 years.

What is the best coating for concrete?

The most common coating types that are used are epoxies and polyurethanes. Epoxies can be used as a primer, intermediate and topcoat depending on application. Epoxies are known for their superior adhesion and chemical resistance.

What are the negatives of polyurea?

Polyurea's extremely fast curing time can lead to a weaker bond and a greater chance of imperfections showing once cured.

How do you waterproof exterior cement?

The most common forms of waterproofing for concrete are:
  1. Membrane Waterproofing. There are two types of membrane waterproofing- liquid and sheet. ...
  2. Crystalline Waterproofing. Like cementitious coatings, these are applied like a paint. ...
  3. Bituminous Coatings. ...
  4. Epoxy and Resin Injections.

What is the most durable exterior finish?

Epoxy finishes provide the most protection of all outdoor finishes, creating a thick, plastic-like, water-impermeable barrier on the surface of the wood.

What are four 4 types of concrete surface finishes?

Learn more here.
  • Trowel Finish. The trowel finish is the most basic and commonly used method for finishing concrete. ...
  • Broom Finish. A broom finish is a simple yet effective way to make concrete surfaces less slippery. ...
  • Texturing. ...
  • Decorative Concrete. ...
  • Grinding and Polishing. ...
  • Salt Finish.

What concrete coating is stronger than epoxy?

Because polyurea is more durable than epoxy, it has a life expectancy of about 15 years. (At Innovative Concrete we offer exclusive 15-year warranties.) Just think, one application in 15 years with polyurea and 3 to 4 applications in the same time period with epoxy.

How do you permanently waterproof concrete?

Concrete can also be protected against the water with acrylic, polyurethane, polyurea-based materials that provide waterproofing in areas that are exposed to direct water and sunlight such as roofs and terraces. All of these practices are applied directly to concrete surfaces.

What do professionals use to seal concrete?

When looking at the choices in cement based concrete sealants you have four main sealer technologies' to choose from: acrylic, polyurethane, epoxy coating and polyaspartics. Each sealer has specific attributes that make it a great choice for concrete surfaces.

What is the downside of sealing concrete?

The materials and labor required to seal a concrete driveway properly can be expensive. In addition, concrete driveways that are improperly sealed can trap moisture underneath the surface, which can lead to problems such as mold and mildew.

What's the best thing to spray on concrete before pressure washing?

For most concrete surfaces, a mix of alkaline cleaners works best to break down grease and oil. For particularly tough stains, you might need specialized concrete cleaners designed to tackle specific contaminants.

How to seal exterior concrete?

Here's a step-by-step summary of how to seal concrete:
  1. Remove all oil, grease, stains, dirt, and dust from the concrete.
  2. Strip any existing sealer from the surface.
  3. Open up the concrete with an etching solution.
  4. Apply a thin coat of sealer using a roller or sprayer.
  5. Wait for the first layer of sealer to dry.

What are the negatives about sealing a driveway?

5 Disadvantages of Sealing Your Driveway
  • Extra Expense.
  • You Have to Do It Repeatedly. ...
  • Sealing Can't Be Done During Winter. ...
  • Doesn't Provide Complete Protection. ...
  • May Cause the Surface to Get Hotter in the Summer.

What is the most durable outdoor concrete coating?

Polyaspartic coatings are renowned for their ability to resist wear and tear. Unlike other coatings that can chip and peel, polyaspartic offers a robust layer of protection that stands up to frequent use and harsh weather conditions.

Is Thompson's water Seal good for concrete?

Thompson's® WaterSeal® Clear Masonry Protector Waterproofer provides proven waterproofing protection for pavers, brick, concrete, stone, stucco, clay & quarry tile and exterior masonry surfaces.

What is the most durable outdoor sealant?

Sealants with the Longest Lifespan

Some top-performing brands include GE Silicone II and Sikaflex Polyurethane, known for their long-lasting durability and resistance to environmental factors.

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