Keeping your driveway clean and in good condition is a top priority for many homes. This is the primary way through which you access your residence on a daily basis and having it in a poor condition just seems not to be right. The moment you notice that your driveway has cracks, potholes, or even stains, just know it’s time to get it sealed. Such conditions are caused by changes in weather, mold, road salts, grease, oils, algae, or other dangerous substances. Detecting the poor condition of your driveway is crucial in repairing it in time. So, what is the best driveway sealer for 2024? You will find the list below.
All you need to do is take measures to prepare the concrete way for sealing and then carry out the practice. Ensure you use the best driveway sealer to stay in great condition for years before needing another sealing job.
Our Recommend Top 3 Best Driveway Sealers Comparison
| Image | Driveway Sealer | Technical Information |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick Check Price | 5-Gal. SX5000™ Penetrating Clear Solvent-Based Silane-Siloxane Concrete & Masonry Sealer, Water Repellent, Salt Guard Read Review | |
Second Choice Check Price | DryWay Water-Repellent Concrete Sealer (5-gal) | Protects Concrete Driveways | Pavers | Garage Floors | Patios | Outdoor Masonry Read Review | |
Affordable Choice Check Price | E-Z Stir Driveway Asphalt Filler/Sealer Read Review |
Summary of Contents
Our Recommend Top 5 best driveway sealer reviews
Driveway sealers are a nightmare when it comes to choosing the best. This is because there is a slight difference in types and confusion with brands.
If you don’t have enough knowledge concerning driveway sealers, you may pick one that is less effective or inappropriate for your driveway concrete. After going through various reviews online, we came up with a list of the 5 best driveway sealers. This has been explained further as follows:
Best-rated driveway sealer – Foundation Armor driveway sealer reviews (Our Top Pick)
This sealer is very powerful in that it assists you to prevent your concrete from oil spills, water spills, grease, and other harmful substances from penetrating into your driveway and causing damage.
Technical Specifications of the Foundation Armor Concrete Sealer 5Gal:
| Type | Driveway Sealer |
| Made From: | Non-recycled US manufactured resins |
| Can be applied: | With a roller or sprayer |
| Non-yellowing and UV resistant: | Yes |
| Resistance to water, stains, some chemicals, and salt damage: | Yes |
| Reduce: | Concrete dusting and deterioration |
| Average Coverage Rate: | 500 ft in two coats |
| Service life: | Up to 10 years of life |
| Weight: | 5 Gallon Pail |
It is very durable, with a lifeline of up to 10 years, which is really amazing. With the capability to cover up to 500 ft in two coats, this sealer can ensure a clean and safe driveway in your residence. If you are looking for the most popular best driveway sealer, then buy this Foundation Armor.
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Main features:
- Water repellent.
- It lasts up to 10 years.
- Solvent-based.
- 5 gallons.
- Cover up to 500 ft in two coats.
Pros:
- It is very durable as it lasts up to 10 years.
- Covers a wide area of up to 500 ft in two coats.
- It is a water and solvent-based formula which ensures that all the oils or water substances are prevented from entering the concrete.
Best Dryway concrete driveway sealer reviews
This is one of the best penetrating sealers on the market. It performs well by preventing various harmful substances like oil spills, water, and UV rays from penetrating into the concrete o your driveway. In addition, it is a water repellent and thus very good for the environment with less odor and toxins. Use this concrete sealer on your driveway and rest for 10 years before needing another application.
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Technical Specifications of the DryWay Outdoor Concrete Water Repellent:
| Type | Driveway Sealer |
| Formula: | water-based emulsion of silanes and siloxane |
| Can be applied: | Patios, Driveways, Pool Decks, Garages, Shop Floors, Sidewalks, and Walkways |
| water-based emulsion of silanes and siloxane and UV resistant: | Yes |
| Non-Film Forming: | Yes |
| Finish: | Clear/Flat |
| Average Coverage rate: | 750 to 1000 ft. |
| Provides: | up to 5 years of life |
| Weight: | 5 Gallon Pail |
Main features:
- Penetrating sealer.
- Water repellent.
- Resistant to UV rays.
- Covers 750 to 1000 ft.
- The service life of up to 10 years.
Pros:
- It is very long-lasting.
- It conducts a wonderful job of repelling water, oils, UV rays, and other harmful substances.
- Dryway covers a wide range that ranges between 750 to 1000 ft.
Best blacktop sealer – Rustoleum blacktop coating reviews
This product offers the user excellent features that cannot be easily found in other best driveway sealers. It comes in a gallon or two enough to be applied on your driveway. It is very easy to use and doesn’t need any expert. After applying, it can dry within 4 hours, and the driveway will be ready for use. A unique feature of this sealer is its formula, which is made with recycled rubber tires. Acquire this product and start protecting your concrete way from deteriorating very fast.
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Technical Specifications of the Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield:
| Type | Driveway Sealer |
| Made From: | Advanced acrylic blacktop coating |
| Formulated: | recycled rubber tires |
| Color: | Black |
| Material: | Water |
| Can dry: | within 4 hours |
| Average Coverage rate: | 800 square feet |
| Provides: | up to 10 years of life |
| Weight: | 2-gallon bucket |
Main features:
- Formulated with recycled rubber tires.
- Fast-drying.
- 2-gallon bucket.
- 10-year warranty.
Pros:
- It is very simple to use as it stirs like paint.
- Rustoleum dries very fast, unlike other sealants.
- It lasts long.
Best concrete sealer for driveway – Armor ar350 driveway sealers
The foundation armor AR350 is another top concrete sealer that has components that will ensure your driveway is kept secure from substances like mold, algae, oils, water substances, and gasoline for longevity. The Armor AR350 is the best driveway sealer for the money. This sealer is very durable, and after application, it will take time before requiring sealing your driveway. As well it has an excellent finish, which makes your driveway glow after being applied. In addition, you can use it on garage floors, basement floors, stamped walkways, and on paver patios. With a high penetration solid, you will have a clean and well maintained concrete way for a very long time.
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Technical Specifications of the Foundation Armor AR350 Concrete & Masonry Sealer:
| Type | Driveway Sealer |
| Made From: | solvent-based acrylic wet look sealer |
| Can be applied: | with a roller or sprayer |
| Non-yellowing and UV resistant: | Yes |
| long-lasting, non-yellowing, breathable finish: | Yes |
| Reduce: | concrete dusting and deterioration |
| Application: | garage floors, basement floors, stamped walkways, and on paver patios |
| Provides: | up to 2-5 years |
| Weight: | 5 Gallon Pail |
Main features:
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Great sealer.
- Penetrating solid.
- Satin acrylic coating.
Pros:
- It highly lowers cracking and pitting.
- It is a very durable and long-lasting sealer.
- It offers a great low gloss finish.
- Secures the concrete from harmful substances like oils, UV rays, and gasoline.
Best asphalt sealer – Henry Company driveway sealers reviews
Being an asphalt sealer, the E-Z stir driveway filler does not emit any harmful odors. It contains ingredients that prevent water and other harmful substances from penetrating into the concrete for durability. It is a 5-gallon sealer and will cover an area of 250 to 500 sq ft. Furthermore, it dries up quickly and won’t have to keep you from using the driveway 4 hours after application. With 4 years of surety of support and maintenance from the manufacturer, this is a great sealer to have for protecting your pavement, garage, or pathways.
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Technical Specifications of the Henry Driveway Filler & Sealer, E-Z Stir Asphalt:
| Type | Driveway Sealer |
| Warranty: | 4-year warranty |
| Fills surface cracks: | up-to 1/8 in |
| Easy to stir and apply: | Yes |
| Asphalt filler: | Yes |
| For longer life: | 4x rubberized |
| Average Coverage rate: | 250 to 500 sq. ft. |
| Dries: | within 4 hours |
| Weight: | 5 Gallon Pail |
Main features:
- Asphalt filler.
- 5 gallons.
- Dries within 4 hours.
- Cover an area of 250 to 500 sq ft.
- 4-year warranty.
Pros:
- It is very easy to stir and apply on your concrete way or path, or basement.
- This driveway sealer dries very fast as it can be ready for use after 4 hours of application.
- It is an asphalt filler hence good for the environment as it’s not smelly.
- It comes with a 4-year warranty for surety in case of any defect.
How to Seal a Driveway?
Why leave your driveway in a bad state if you can easily maintain it? A driveway is a vital investment that should always be well maintained. It just needs a few tools and process to follow so that you can avoid the already damaged or cracked driveway from getting worse. You don’t want to see potholes or grass growing on your driveway. First, you need the best driveway sealer. Here are some steps to follow in order to perfectly seal your driveway for long lastingness.
Step one: Clean the driveway
Before you get ready to seal your driveway, ensure that the weather is good and the sky is clear. If you suspect rain, you should carry out the process another day.
Clean the driveway by getting rid of leaves and other dirt through the use of a broom or leaf blower. Remove oil on the surface by use of a primer pr degreaser. Then, pull out weeds and grass in cracks. And if you find moss or mold, use a pressure washer to remove them. Leave the driveway to dry completely before filling cracks and sealing it.
Step two: Mend cracks and holes in the driveway
If you want an excellent outcome, then you will have to repair cracks in the surface of the driveway before you can apply a coat of the sealant. For small cracks, use a bottle of crack filler. This product has some leveling attributes, but it shouldn’t be overfilled. This is done to prevent the fillers from being seen after sealing the driveway. You can as well use a scraper to level out the filler in case it is overfilled. Let the filler dry for about 4 to 8 hours before applying sealant. But for larger holes, one should use a driveway patch. If you use a patch, you should leave the driveway for at least a month before sealing it.
Step three: Clean driveway and mix the sealant
After sealing cracks and you’re now ready to go, you should first check if the sky is okay and there is no sign of rain. Re-clear the leaves or dirt on the driveway by use of a leaf blower. Then, mix the driveway sealant in a bucket and before applying it on the driveway. Ensure that you select a quality driveway sealant. Make sure that the sealant has great properties such as UV stabilizers, quality resins, and has filler and elastomeric material. This will guarantee to last longer and fully protect your driveway from adverse weather conditions.
Step four: Seal the edge by hand
Ensure that you cover all areas of your driveway with the edge or corners as well. If the driveway is next to a garage or structure, use a brush to cut around the edge. Nothing should be left for granted. Use a squeegee to cover or spread the sealant on the main area and the paintbrush in tight places.
Step five: Pour sealant along the edge and spread it
Start by sealing the rest of the driveway by pouring the sealant along the width of your driveway. Know that the sealant buckets are heavy and should be handled with care. Then, pull and compress the sealant into the driveway by use of a squeegee. Ensure that the sealant is applied evenly as you work back and forth on the whole driveway. If you find a place that the squeegee cannot penetrate, then use a paintbrush. After applying the sealant, enable the driveway to drive for at least 24 hours.
If you think your driveway has some areas that are not done well, you can as well apply a second coat. This coat creates a stronger and long-lasting driveway.
How to find the best driveway sealer?
There are varying types of best driveway sealers, which you should learn about before setting out to pick your preferred type. They come in different quantities and perform different duties. Most of them provide the user with different types of finishes as they contain different substances. Select a sealer with quality resin as it will determine how long it lasts. Not all of the concrete sealers are high performing, and you should pick the best. This review contains all the information you need to come up with picking the top driveway sealers.
Benefits of applying driveway sealer
Most of the driveways are made of concrete, which is a very durable substance. But as time goes by and it comes into contact with the adverse weather condition and other factors, it starts to spoil by having cracks or holes in it. To maintain and avoid the expense it comes with repairing it, the best driveway sealer can be of great importance.
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- First, a driveway sealer not only prolongs the life of the concrete but as well changes its appearance to a better one. This is because it adds color and gloss to it.
- Another factor is that using a driveway sealer is way cheaper than wait for the entire driveway to be impassable to repair it.
- It is also very easy to use as it doesn’t need any skills to be exhibited during the application. All you need is to follow the manual instructions, and you are good to go.
- Applying a driveway sealer is not costly as it doesn’t require any machine and just takes a day to be done. This mostly applies to residential places.
Types of driveway sealer
Not all driveway sealers are made the same. They vary from one manufacturer to another as they are built with different ingredients. Before choosing any type of sealer, know what components it’s made of and how it will perform on your driveway. Here are the three different forms of best driveway sealers to use on your concrete.
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Coal tar driveway sealers
This is mainly created from refined coal and other additives. It has a great ability to repel oil, gasoline, and water. In addition, it protects the concrete from ultraviolet rays, which makes the driveway crack and get damaged quickly. These are longer lasting than asphalt driveway sealers. Their shortcomings are that they are smelly, very volatile, and not good for the environment.
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Asphalt driveway sealers
These are created from crude oil and other additives. These repel well against water but are not efficient in protecting concrete against oil, gasoline, and ultraviolet rays. Also, they need to be applied from time to time, unlike coal tar sealers. Some of the asphalt advantages are that it’s environmentally friendly and produces less odor.
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Acrylic driveway sealers
Finally, we’ve got the acrylic driveway sealer, which is mostly comprised of artificial chemical ingredients. It functions similarly to coal by offering protection against oil, gasoline, water, and ultraviolet rays. In addition, they have lower emissions and last longer than both the two above.
You also might be interested to know about the granite sealer and grout sealer.
Factors to look at when choosing the best driveway sealer
Appearance – how do you want your driveway to appear after it’s sealed? There are numerous kinds of finishes to choose from matte, gloss, satin, semi-gloss, high gloss, and no gloss. Most people choose a high gloss, and it leaves the driveway shining and looking good.
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Also, some sealers enhance the concrete’s color, making it appear darker and better.
Safe driveway sealer?
Safety – choose the best driveway sealer that is safe to use. Some sealers appear to be shiny after being applied. They may not be slippery when the weather is dry, but such surfaces tend to slide during wet weather, making them dangerous to walk on. Therefore, ensure the sealer you acquire has great properties that make it ideal for use in all types of weather.
Quantity of the sealer – determine the size of your driveway so that you get a sealer that will be applied to it all. A few sealers come in small quantities, or your driveway may be too big for them. Ensure you get the right quantity for your driveway so that you don’t leave other areas unattended.
What is the most durable driveway sealer?
Durability – not all driveway sealers will last for long. Choose one that is created to last so that if it remains after use, you can keep it for future applications. As well, pick a sealer that won’t require you to reapply it after a short while on your driveway. There are low-quality sealers, and one should stay away from them.
Long-lasting driveway sealer?
Performance – depending on the type of resin in the sealer, it will determine whether the sealer lasts for long or not. Exposure to things like UV rays and other conditions ensures its longevity. A good and best driveway sealer should stay at least three years before requiring another application.
Brand?
Brand – consider buying your driveway sealer from a notable brand. Different brands contain varying components, and selecting one that has been proven in the past is crucial. Simply choose from the top brand, and you will be good to go. Don’t waste money on brands that you’ve never heard about, as this will be a big risk.
Cheap driveway sealer?
Price – with regard to quality and type of sealer, they will vary in price, with acrylic sealers being the most expensive, followed by asphalt, then coal tar. Work within your budget and select the right quantity. If you want the best, you will have to spend more, but there is no much difference.
Company warranty?
Warranty – look for sealers that come with warranties of at least one year or more. Not all products are worth trusting in, but if you find one with a warranty or satisfaction guarantee, you can give it a try.
How to inspect your driveway before preparing to seal it
As you prepare to seal your driveway, certain factors must be noted before you get started. These help in readying your driveway for sealing. These have been discussed further as follows:
- Search for areas that need to be sealed – begin by inspecting your entire driveway for any hole, crack, spills, or even places that are crumbling. In addition, pay a keen eye on areas that are likely to be damaged very soon.
- Get rid of stains on the driveway – then look for stains on the driveway and scrub them thoroughly. Also, if there is grease, it should be removed using hot water so that the driveway is free from such substances.
- Repair cracks – another important area to look for is cracks that start small and expand to be big. Ensure that you take note of all the cracks on the driveway and repair them by filling them to prepare the driveway for sealing.
- Repair potholes – if there are potholes on your driveway, ensure that you fill and repair them so that they are no longer visible. These make the process cumbersome, but you must repair them before sealing the driveway.
- Ready the driveway for sealing – after all the above issues have been tackled, it’s time to start thoroughly cleaning the entire driveway. Use brooms to sweep, brush, and mops to ensure that it’s free of any stains, dirt, or other harmful substances that may shorten the life of the concrete.
- Lastly, you can now seal the concrete after identifying which is best for your driveway. There are several brands to pick from, and ensure you pick the best. Follow instructions and apply as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If you want one with a glossy finish, you can for enhancers or color types; if you want a durable one, penetrators are the best.
Final thoughts
Choosing the best driveway sealer is not an easy thing. You need to have the right information to make a good decision; since there are different types that vary in functioning and properties. From the above information, you can clearly see the difference. As long as you know your needs and the compounds you want the sealer to have, the procedure of picking the best becomes very easy. Look at the safety features, performance as well as durability.
You don’t want to purchase a sealer that will be spoiled tomorrow and not in a position to prevent oil, dirt, or UV rays from reaching the concrete, shortening its life. Hopefully, you’ve fully benefited from our Best Driveway Sealer review.
