A quality sealant paves the way for a long-lasting driveway
From heavy carloads to intense UV rays and freeze-thaw cycles, many adversaries are working against your driveway throughout the year. Choosing the best driveway sealer for the type of driveway you have is crucial. After all, you’ve invested in the cost of paving your driveway, so it’s essential to protect it to get the most from its lifespan—sealing your driveway is the best response when your driveway starts to crack.
Whether you’re sealing your driveway on your own or hiring a local driveway sealing contractor, this finishing touch is crucial for beauty and longevity. In fact, while there are pros and cons of sealing your driveway, you’ll find the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Here are the best concrete and best asphalt sealers for driveways.
Asphalt driveways can last 25 to 30 years with the proper care. The cost to seal an asphalt driveway runs between $1.25 to $1.50 per square foot, including labor. Here are the best asphalt sealers for driveways.
Oil-based driveway sealers aren’t a common choice, but they make a great alternative to coal tar sealers for those on a budget. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) warns of the harmful environmental impact of coal tar sealants due to their high concentrations of toxic PAH chemicals, which may cause cancer, death, and mutations in fish and other wildlife. Oil-based sealers are less harmful to the environment, more budget-friendly, and can last up to four years before needing reapplication. However, with most types of sealer, you should seal your driveway every two years.
Asphalt emulsion sealers are popular, durable, and middle-of-the-road in terms of pricing. These aren’t as harmful to the environment as coal tar or fast-drying sealants and can last up to four years before they need to be reapplied. However, they’re more susceptible to staining from oil and gasoline leaks, so they’re not the best choice for those who like to tinker around their vehicles on the driveway.
Formulated to dry quickly, a fast-drying sealer goes on with a squeegee and usually requires two coats. A fast-drying fill-and-seal can be ready to walk on after 1 hour, making it an option when you need to seal the driveway and use it in a very short period of time. Other options may be better for a driveway that has more cracks to fill, but you may want to consider replacing your asphalt driveway if you have the time.
Although latex acrylic sealers are one of the most expensive options, they’re one of the best asphalt driveway sealer options because they’re durable, stain-resistant, and non-toxic. They can last five to 10 years and are UV-resistant to stand up against hotter climates. Aside from the higher cost, their main downside is that they’re difficult to apply for DIY-ers, so you’ll want to strongly consider hiring a pro.
Coal tar sealers used to be one of the top options for driveway sealers, but it’s now banned in certain communities and cities. Check your local codes before going with this type of asphalt driveway sealer. But why is it banned? The application process releases a slew of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have a negative environmental impact and can be dangerous to inhale.
That said, coal tar emulsion sealer is highly affordable and can last for up to five years. It’s a tough sealer, resistant to oil, water, and UV rays.
Water-based sealers are more environmentally friendly than even oil-based sealers, and they also have a faster cure time. Water-based sealers—which contain clay, polymers, and latex (and, of course, water)—are highly effective in the event of an oil or gas spill, and they’re often more affordable than oil-based sealers. They may only last two to three years, however.
Concrete sealing costs an additional $1.50 per square foot or so, but it’s an important step to maximize longevity. Epoxy or polyurethane sealers can be slippery, so they’re not an ideal pick for driveways. Here are your best options for concrete driveway sealants.
Acrylic is the top choice when it comes to concrete sealants for driveways, as it offers the perfect blend of durability and affordability. The best options are virgin and pure acrylic resins, as they’ll last the longest and won’t yellow in direct sunlight.
Penetrating concrete sealers consist of specialty resins such as silicones, silanes, and siloxanes. These penetrate the surface of the concrete, forming a tough chemical barrier against water, oil, and other contaminants, as well as preventing cracks due to freeze-thaw cycles. They can last anywhere from five to ten years, depending on their quality, as well as temperature and other environmental factors.
Regardless of the type of sealer you apply to an asphalt or concrete driveway, it’s important to apply the sealer when the weather conditions allow for the sealer to dry and cure properly. Each sealer will vary slightly in those requirements, but the best time to seal a driveway will typically be during dry weather that remains above 55 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 to 48 hours.
It’s important that the sealer does not freeze or get wet before it has time to cure properly, as freezing or additional moisture can interfere with the chemical reaction taking place to cure the sealer. Discoloration of the sealer, often milky white or yellowed areas, can indicate that the sealer hasn’t cured properly. Depending on the sealer and the size of the job, it may be worth calling a professional.
