The Best Paver Sealers for Protecting Your Patio in 2024, Tested
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Paver Sealers for Protecting Your Patio in 2024, Tested and hope the blog can help you.
Paver sealers penetrate to protect masonry from damage, staining, and erosion. We tested the top sealers—find out how they fared.
Pavers are a favorite medium for creating durable DIY walkways and patios, and paver sealers can keep those surfaces looking pristine. To discover which of today’s top paver sealing products lived up to the hype, we researched more than 20 paver sealers before selecting the top eight for hands-on testing. We applied them to concrete pavers and then subjected those pavers to stains and grit. Several products fared well, but we found one clear winner: Foundation Armor AR350 Acrylic Wet-Look Sealer. This concrete paver sealer offers an optimal combination of protection and durability while enhancing the look of the pavers.
These sealing solutions repel stains, making it easier to spray them away. Some products offer added protection against mold, mildew, and foot traffic. They are available in various finishes, including wet look, high-gloss, matte, or satin.
Keep reading to learn more about these clear masonry protector solutions and find out how they fared in our tests to earn a spot as one of the best paver sealers for protecting your masonry walkways.
- BEST OVERALL: Foundation Armor AR350 Acrylic Wet-Look Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Eco Advance Concrete & Masonry Siloxane Waterproofer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ACRYLIC: Foundation Armor WB25 Acrylic High-Gloss Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PENETRATING: Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 Concrete/Masonry Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR CONCRETE: Foundation Armor AR500 Acrylic High-Gloss Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR WET LOOK: Black Diamond Stoneworks Wet-Look Stone Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST COLOR ENHANCER: Black Diamond Stoneworks Color Enhancer Stone Sealer
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Paver Sealers
Before selecting eight top sealing solutions for testing on our cement pavers, we carefully researched more than 20 types of concrete and masonry sealers. We didn’t consider the brand name as much as we considered whether the product was straightforward to apply and how efficient it was at repelling water, stains, and surface damage from foot traffic.
In our hands-on tests, we applied each sealant solution to 12-inch-square concrete pavers, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and applying more than one coat if recommended. We noted whether the product changed the appearance of the paver and to what degree.
Physical tests included smearing wet (clay-based) mud on the surface of the pavers, letting it dry, and then noting whether it left any residual stains after power-washing. We also tested the sealed pavers for enhanced water resistance and then sprinkled sand on the pavers and walked over the sand to see if it would leave visible scratches and scuffs.
Throughout the testing, we awarded points based on a rubric—the better a sealer for patio pavers performed on a test, the more points we gave it. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our favorite pick and categorize the other products as to their best use.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Time spent testing | 3 weeks |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $65 to $200 (per gallon) |
Our Top Picks
Choosing a sealer for pavers doesn’t have to be complicated if you know what to expect from the various products. Our top picks for the best paver sealers available today differ in surface appearance, recommended number of coats, and coverage, but each one works for sealing pavers against the elements and common sources of damage. One of these products is sure to be ideal for your paver project.
Best Overall
Foundation Armor AR350 Acrylic Wet-Look Sealer
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Application 4.8/5; Water Resistance 4.5/5; Stain Resistance 4/5; Appearance 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Suitable surfaces: Concrete
- Recommended number of coats: 2
- Finish look: Wet/sheen
What We Like
- Seals and protects without adding an unpleasant yellow tinge
- Leaves a soft sheen that enhances the concrete
- Good water resistance
What We Don’t Like
- Noticeable, but not overwhelming, odor when applied outdoors
This Foundation Armor AR350 solvent-based acrylic sealer works well to seal concrete surfaces without adding an unpleasant yellow tinge to the finish. We used a brush and applied two even coats to our paver, waiting 24 hours between coats. We noticed a slight but not overwhelming odor when we tested this product outdoors. It might be stronger if applied to indoor pavers.
We liked the finished look: The pavers had a pleasant sheen but were not overly shiny, and the color of the concrete seemed slightly deeper and more uniform. Foundation Armor AR350 fared very well in our water-resistance tests. The water beaded up instead of soaking in, and the sealant offered a modicum of protection against stains. We applied wet clay-based mud to the paver’s surface and let it dry completely. This type of mud is notorious for leaving brownish-red stains on concrete, but we could spray the mud away with water, and it didn’t leave a stain.
In our durability test, we sprinkled sand on the paver and walked over it several times before brushing the sand off and looking for damage to the surface. We found a few scuffed spots, but when we repeated our water test, it appeared they were superficial—the surface still repelled water. This product is only intended for use on concrete; users will not want to apply it to brick, flagstone, or other natural stone surfaces.
Get the Foundation Armor AR350 paver sealer at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Eco Advance Concrete & Masonry Siloxane Waterproofer
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Application 4.4/5; Water Resistance 4/5; Stain Resistance 4/5; Appearance 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Suitable surfaces: Concrete, brick, stone, and other types of masonry
- Recommended number of coats: 2
- Finish look: Natural
What We Like
- Cost-effective way to add a layer of protection
- Effectively repels water without posing a risk to pets
- Invisible finish maintains appearance of pavers
What We Don’t Like
- Less surface abrasion protection compared to other brands
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to add a layer of protection to your concrete pavers. The Eco Advance concrete and masonry waterproofing sealer protects against water damage, mold and mildew growth, and de-icing salts. Best of all, it’s available at an affordable price.
This is a concentrated solution, so we mixed it with water before applying it with our pump sprayer, as recommended by the manufacturer. We applied a total of two coats, waiting 24 hours between coats.
When completely dry after 24 hours, we couldn’t tell just by looking that there was anything on the paver’s surface. The paver didn’t look any different to us, and it also felt the same as before applying the sealer, leaving us skeptical about any real value. However, we conducted our water test, and the water beaded up and ran off the paver. This product also passed our mud stain tests with flying colors, but it wasn’t quite as durable during the sand test. Walking on the sand left a few scratches on the paver’s surface.
While the Eco Advance sealer might not be as protective as other products, there’s a clear trade-off. It’s environmentally friendly, low-to-no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and it doesn’t pose a risk to pets.
Get the Eco Advance paver sealer at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Acrylic
Foundation Armor WB25 Acrylic High-Gloss Sealer
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Application 4.8/5; Water Resistance 4/5; Stain Resistance 4/5; Appearance 4/5; Value 3.8/5
Product Specs
- Suitable surfaces: Concrete
- Recommended number of coats: 2
- Finish look: High gloss
What We Like
- Imparts a smooth high-gloss finish
- Highly effective at repelling water
- Impressive stain and abrasion resistance
What We Don’t Like
- May be slippery when wet
If you’re looking to impart a high sheen to your pavers while adding water and stain protection, check out the Foundation Armor WB25 sealer. This is a water-based sealer that imparts a noticeable high-gloss film on the surface of the pavers that sparkles in sunlight and feels smooth to the touch.
We applied two coats of this sealer and started testing once the pavers were completely dry. Foundation Armor WB25 is highly effective at repelling water and stains. The mud we smeared on and let dry washed right off without leaving a trace. It also stood up well to our abrasions test using sand. We didn’t notice any scuffs after we cleared away the sand, and it continued to repel water.
Ironically, the downside for us was the shine: The pavers looked a bit like plastic and felt slippery when wet. While we only tested on individual concrete pavers, we think the slippery feel might be of concern in a high-traffic area that gets wet often. However, Foundation Armor sells nonslip grit that users can add to the product to make the surface less slippery. Keep in mind that this is only a concrete sealer. Foundation Armor specifies that it’s not a brick paver sealer.
Get the Foundation Armor WB25 paver sealer at Amazon (1 gallon), Lowe’s (5 gallons), or The Home Depot (5 gallons).
Best Penetrating
Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 Concrete/Masonry Sealer
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Application 4.8/5; Water Resistance 4.5/5; Stain Resistance 4.3/5; Appearance 4.3/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Suitable surfaces: Concrete, brick, other masonry
- Recommended number of coats: 2
- Finish look: Invisible
What We Like
- Penetrates to protect against water, stains, and salts
- Environmentally friendly low-VOC formula is safe around pets
- Available in concentrated or ready-to-use formulations
What We Don’t Like
- Noticeable odor while product is wet
This Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 sealer is just the ticket if you’re looking for a penetrating sealer that repels water and stains and protects the masonry from de-icing salts.
We tested the concentrated version, and a ready-to-use version is also available. The concentrated product goes a long way—it dilutes at a 1:4 ratio of product to water. We mixed it in our pump sprayer and applied two uniform coats, one right after the other, as the manufacturer recommends applying the second coat while the first coat is still wet. We noticed an odor, but it only lasted while the product was wet. Plus, it’s low VOC and environmentally friendly.
When both coats had completely dried after 24 hours, we started testing. Our first observation was that this sealer was virtually invisible, but it still repelled water well. Mud smears also rinsed away easily, but we found a couple of scuffs after conducting our abrasion tests with sand. The scuffs were superficial, however, and didn’t seem to affect the product’s ability to repel water—it still beaded up and ran off.
While the concentrated version of this product is on the pricey side, it goes a lot further than some of the other products we tested.
Get the Ghostshield paver sealer at Amazon (concentrate) or The Home Depot (ready to use).
Best for Concrete
Foundation Armor AR500 Acrylic High-Gloss Sealer
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Application 4.3/5; Water Resistance 5/5; Stain Resistance 4/5; Appearance 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Suitable surfaces: Concrete
- Recommended number of coats: 2
- Finish look: High-gloss wet
What We Like
- High-gloss finish adds sheen without a yellowish tinge
- Versatile application with a roller or a pump sprayer
- Water-resistant and also repels stains
What We Don’t Like
- The high sheen can create a slippery surface
The Foundation Armor AR500 concrete sealer provides a high gloss, making it a good choice for enhancing a concrete surface’s appearance. This sealer is ultraviolet (UV)-resistant and designed to protect against chemical damage and de-icing salts.
This is the third Foundation Armor sealer in our tests, and it imparted the shiniest finish. However, we didn’t notice a plastic look like we did with the manufacturer’s WB25 formulation. The sheen with AR500 was more uniform but not as natural as the surface would have looked if truly wet. We didn’t dislike the effect, but we didn’t love it, either.
The sealer did a good job resisting water, and we could hose off mud smears with ease. It also fared well in our abrasion tests: We only found a few surface scuffs that didn’t affect the water resistance.
While this product delivers a very high shine, it also makes the concrete a bit slippery. As a result, we think this formulation is best suited to low-traffic areas, such as concrete fountains or curbs that don’t get a lot of foot traffic.
Get the Foundation Armor AR500 paver sealer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.