It’s no secret: Sealing pavers will go a long way in keeping them pristine. However, you are probably wondering what impact the sealer will have on your pavers’ appearance.
Are you asking yourself if sealing pavers will make them shiny? The short answer is yes. Actually, on top of the enhanced protection, that long-lasting glossy finish you can get is another great reason to schedule professional paver sealing services in Sarasota.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at different types of sealers and how they can make your pavers shine.
Understanding Paver Sealing
Every Sarasota property owner would love it if their pavers remained beautiful and damage-free for many years. Fortunately, sealing your pavers can make this desire a reality.
Paver sealing is a process that creates a film on your pavers, forming a protective barrier that will shield them from moisture, dirt, stains, and harmful UV rays. By doing so, the process allows your pavers to remain in great shape for much longer.
Types of Paver Sealers
Just like how pavers come in different types, you have various sealer options as well. What you ultimately choose will depend on the kind of finish you prefer.
Here’s a brief breakdown of the different types of sealers and what they offer.
Wet-Look Sealers
As the name suggests, wet-look sealers create a shiny, glossy finish that makes your pavers appear wet. They are usually a solvent-based sealer or acrylic sealer capable of forming a UV and water-resistant barrier.
Benefits
Wet-look sealers are great for:
- High-traffic areas because of their durability
- Enhancing the vibrancy of your pavers’ colors
- Protecting against stains, fading, and UV damage
- Making the surface easier to clean
Natural-Look Sealers
If you’re looking to retain your pavers’ original appearance, then a natural-look sealer would do perfectly. This water-based sealer creates a low or no-gloss finish while still delivering great UV protection and water repellency.
Benefits
With natural-look sealers, you’ll be able to:
- Keep the natural look of your pavers
- Enjoy more slip-resistance
- Protect your pavers against UV damage and weathering
Matte Finish Sealers
Matte finish sealers are penetrative solvent or water-based sealers that offer a flat, non-reflective finish. Similar to previous options, these products also provide quality weather resistance and UV protection.
Benefits
These sealers are capable of:
- Providing a subtle, modern look
- Reducing slipperiness and glare
- Enhancing durability
- Making the surface easy to maintain
Comparison
With each option offering specific benefits, weighing them against each other is the best way to determine which sealer to go with. Just remember to keep your needs, preferences, and desired finish in mind when sealing pavers.
Aesthetic Appeal
When it comes to aesthetic appeal, there’s no outright winner; the right sealer will depend on the look you wish to achieve.
For instance, wet-look sealers are your best bet if you want your pavers to attain a vibrant appearance. On the other hand, if you are okay with your pavers’ natural look and don’t want to change it, then a natural-look sealer will serve you better.
Protection
Wet-look sealers provide the highest level of protection against stains and UV rays. Sometimes though, your property’s pavers might not need a great deal of protection. If that’s the case, then the moderately strong barrier matte finish sealers create could work.
Slip Resistance
Are you worried about how slippery your pavers are? Natural-look and matte finish sealers offer good slip resistance, freeing you from the worries of slip-and-fall accidents.
Maintenance
Matte finish sealers are, by far, the easiest to maintain, followed by natural-look sealers. While wet-look sealers do make your pavers easy to clean, they do need frequent reapplication to remain in good condition.
Environmental Impact
When environmental impact is at the top of your concern, water-based matte finish and natural-look sealers would be more ideal than solvent-based products.
Does Sealing Make Pavers Shiny?
Yes, sealing pavers can make them shiny. However, this will come down to the type of sealer you use. Different types of sealers achieve varying levels of shine, with wet-look sealers creating the glossiest finish.
Considerations Before Sealing Your Pavers
Given the amount of time most property owners spend choosing a sealer, it’s quite easy to overlook a few other details. Unfortunately, doing so greatly threatens the quality of results you can achieve.
To help ensure your paver sealing goes smoothly, here are a few considerations you should keep in mind.
Prep Work
Getting your pavers ready is a crucial step in the paver sealing process. For starters, it’s important to thoroughly clean your pavers, removing all the dirt and grime staining the surface.
Regular Maintenance
It is also vital to consider a sealer’s maintenance needs to know how much effort you’ll need to put in to keep it in great condition. Some sealers can last for years without reapplication while others will need it after every few years.
DIY or Hiring Professionals
Sealing your pavers might seem quite straightforward. However, this is far from the case. Before rushing into it, it’s essential to keep several DIY paver sealing considerations in mind, such as safety and application techniques.
Ultimately, given the several risks DIY paver sealing comes with, it’s always better to rely on trained professionals.
Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Paver Sealing Today
Though Sarasota’s climate can do a number on your pavers, there’s a way to keep them looking as good as new for years to come. Simply reach out to Patrick’s Paver Sealing at 941-799-1571 and learn how sealing pavers can enhance their appearance and your home’s curb appeal.
