Compared to some other makes, it’s markedly less expensive, especially considering that you still receive a reasonable amount in the bottle. You’ll need to make sure that you get the best patio sealer for the type of stones you want to seal, and ensure that it will achieve the effect you’re after. Patio sealer can help protect your patio from signs of weathering, as well as improve its appearance. Sealers that are mixed with polyurethane resin are best for a long-lasting, high-gloss finish . Acrylic is a common alternative to polyurethane. These may need reapplying more often, but are generally less expensive to buy.

You’ll also need to decide whether you want a water-based or solvent-based sealer. If it’s your first time applying sealant, a water-based sealer may be best . They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to clean up if spilled. They also don’t have a strong chemical smell like solvent-based sealants. As long as the patio is thoroughly dry and clean of debris before application, it can produce a non-slip, low-sheen finish which protects the slabs from water, stains and wear. The exact area that one bottle can cover is dependent on the porosity of the patio and how the seal is applied. Once dried, the Sika Patio Seal is very resistant to water, and it brings out the colour of slabs with its slightly glossy finish. The sealer is sufficiently high-gloss to shimmer in the sunlight, which may or may not be desirable depending on personal preference. To seal the patio without changing the appearance of the stones, you might want to look for an ‘impregnating sealer’ . These are absorbed into the porous stones instead of sitting on top of them.A single coat may be sufficient for some uses indoors, but for the most part at least two (if not three) coats will be required. The more coats that are used, the glossier the finish. It can be applied with either a roller, brush or sprayer, and the liquid has a reasonably low viscosity. After final coat, make sure patio will be protected from rain for several hours. Ideally leave 24 hours of no rain and no traffic on the surface to ensure a full cure. During application, the acrylic-based sealer shouldn’t be allowed to pool, as this can lead to white spots and marks remaining visible once it dries. If spraying on an uneven surface, it can be more difficult to ensure no puddles form, and a brush may be required as well as a sprayer. The water-based acrylic coating can be used on paths, patios, natural stone and concrete, protecting the surfaces from rain, oil, sun and organic growth. It gives quite a glossy finish, especially when two or three coats are applied. However, if your patio is quite porous, you may find that with just one coat it’s still relatively matt. Choose dry time of year. As mentioned, you need a dry spell (preferably of at least a week) when applying patio sealer to make sure you get the best results.

Can be more suitable for indoor use, or just more pleasant to apply in general, as there’s less smell Choose the application method for the sealant depending on product’s recommendations – ideally use a roller or sprayer, but have a paintbrush on hand to smooth out any pools of liquid Sand the joints – brush jointing sand into all of the joints – don’t rush this job and take care to apply sand evenlyThe 5 L container is sufficient to cover an area of approximately 40 m ² (with one coat), although this also varies depending on the porosity of the stones. It’s quite a runny liquid, and a lot can go a long way. It can be applied with either a sprayer, brush or roller, with a sprayer generally being the most economical method. Approximately two hours are needed between coats. Solvent sealers with acrylic are a slightly cheaper option, although they still penetrate well into the paving. They are not quite as long lasting as solvent sealers with polyurethane. The more coats of gloss sealer that are applied, the glossier it will be. Most products recommend using two to three coats of sealer. One coat may not be enough to create a durable seal. As a solvent-free, acrylic based formula, the sealer has a limited odour and is relatively easy to apply. It can be used over many different patio surfaces including sandstone, limestone and concrete. On most surfaces, it dries to a clear and subtle matt sheen finish with limited gloss. The liquid has a low enough viscosity to apply with a paint/fence sprayer, which seems to produce better results compared to using a roller. Using a sprayer is also more economical in terms of product usage. At least two, if not three coats will be required, and it takes at least three hours before the next coat can be applied.