Concrete floor sealing
Seal your brand new or or existing concrete floor to prevent contaminants from penetrating the slab surface. Our concrete sealing service will;
- Protect your concrete from spills
- Make your concrete easier to clean
- Protect concrete from the weather
- Bring out the colour & texture
- Sealant choices for different needs
- Makes long term maintenance easier
Why should you get your concrete floor sealed?
It’s a little bit like getting your vehicle’s paint polished and then adding a sealant over the top. Grinding then sealing your concrete floor is a similar process that will help preserve the look for as long as possible.
We are concrete floor sealers in Melbourne that can seal brand new or existing concrete floor areas on a slab that is located indoors or outdoors for a home, commercial or industrial building.
A commercial concrete floor sealer in Melbourne
Our company offers concrete floor sealing services for commercial properties. This includes concrete floors that need sealing in an office, retail store, showroom or cafe.
We can seal concrete floors that are brand new or existing ones that have already been used. We would ensure the floor is prepared correctly first & then seal it using commercial grade sealing products that are suitable for high traffic areas.
Industrial concrete floor sealer in Melbourne
We can also offer concrete floor sealing service for industrial properties in Melbourne. Industrial concrete protection is important for factories, warehouses or storage facilities to protect the surface from damage.
We can apply an industrial concrete sealer to brand new or existing floors. We would ensure the floor is prepared correctly first by grinding it & then seal it using industrial grade sealing products that are suitable for heavy use floor areas.
Mark's free advice about sealing concrete floors
The cheapest way to give a home or business a good looking floor is grinding and sealing it. Putting a high quality sealant over concrete can help protect the surface for many years. If you don't have the budget for a fully polished concrete floor then sealing your concrete floor is the next best alternative.
If it is done properly with the right surface preparation it will be stronger and last longer than alternative floor covering options.
We can also re-seal existing slabs that are marked or scratched. A lot of our work in Melbourne is repairing existing floors that weren't done properly the first time.
"extreme attention to detail"
“…We were extremely pleased with all aspects of Mark’s work on the concrete slab he sealed in our house renovation. He has a professional attitude, extreme attention to detail and exhibits a high level of skill….”
When should you consider using a concrete floor sealer?
Not all concrete floor slabs need to get sealed, it is pretty common for flooring surfaces in Melbourne to just be a concrete slab that has been finished off with a simple texture. This is very normal for car garages, warehouses or even backyard outdoor areas leading off a driveway. It looks and feels like everyday cement and for garage areas you’ll sweep it and notice cement dust collecting in the broom. You would consider sealing concrete when you are using it outdoors around a pool area, for retail showrooms, cafes or indoor living spaces when you want to preserve the look, improve the longevity of the floor and bring out its natural colour.
Generally speaking people will get concrete sealing in Melbourne when they have their concrete polished. It’s a little bit like getting your car paint polished and then adding a sealant over the top to preserve that look for as long as possible. You can do this for brand new concrete or existing slabs that are either indoors or outdoors. Depending on the condition of the slab it may need to be grinded first to take away any imperfections and prepare it ready to be sealed. It is possible that without this extra layer of protection the concrete can absorb moisture and may begin to crack, spall, flake or discolour as it ages.
What type of concrete sealers can we apply to a floor?
If you want to keep either decorative or polished concrete looking its best over a long period of time then you have to use a high quality sealant that will protect it from grime, spills, and weathering to reduce its wear rate. It isn’t enough to just use a moisture barrier sealer in Melbourne.
This is even more important for high value real estate properties, commercial, retail or industrial building sites in Melbourne that have lots of use, lots of foot traffic or even machinery or furniture on them.
There are normally two options to choose from film forming and penetrating and each have their own benefits that suit different applications. We can provide a free over the phone consultation to work out what you may need, the costs to get concrete sealing in Melbourne or even a site inspection if required.
Film forming sealers
There are three main types of concrete sealers, the first is a film-forming sealers, also known as surface-coating or topical sealers, coat the entire surface. The sealer adheres to the pores of the concrete and sits on top of the surface creating a protective layer.
They offer excellent protection from moisture and spills, are highly durable, and are easy to maintain and reapply. There are three types of film-forming sealers, each designed for a specific purpose outlined below.
Acrylic sealers
There are three main types of concrete sealers, the second is an acrylic sealer that are commonly used for general protection from dirt and grime in both indoor and outdoor applications. They form a thin layer of protection on the concrete surface.
Acrylic sealers are easy and quick to apply and tend to be the more cost-effective option, however due to their thin layer of protection they can wear more easily and require re-coating.
Available in both water-based and solvent-based formulations, they also come in a variety of sheen levels to enhance the surface colour, stamped pattern, or exposed aggregate.
Penetrating sealers
There are three main types of concrete sealers, the third is a penetrating sealer that can retain a natural-looking finish whilst protecting the concrete surface from water, stains and contaminants. These sealers penetrate into the capillaries of the concrete to form a long-lasting, durable barrier of protection against water-borne pollutants and salts getting into the concrete.
Penetrating sealers are often used in indoor and outdoor applications for concrete, porous natural stone or even concrete pavers.You can get different types of penetrating sealers to suit various scenarios;
- General Purpose – Ideal for using on large commercial or industrial concrete areas to provide a good level of protection from general grime and spills
- Substrate Colour Enhancement – is the ideal choice that can bring out the colour of the concrete whilst providing protection from contaminants or stains.
- Stain Blocking – used in public areas, alfresco dining spaces and food service areas where there is a need for oil and staining resistance to food or drink spills.
- Industrial Protection – is pretty heavy duty and will offer protection for industrial concrete substrates to prevent and assist dusting, wear and staining from oils or greases in factories or mechanic workshops.
We use the best sealants for indoor or outdoor use for high traffic areas
You might be building a new house that will have an indoor and outdoor living space connected with a bi fold door. In these situations we would discuss some different options that may be suitable to seal your concrete that is relative to where it is situated.
For your outdoor concrete or exposed aggregate a good concrete sealer or exposed aggregate sealer is normally recommended vs a film-forming product for safety reasons, but also because the end result will last longer and look more realistic when viewed in natural light.
You will read online that nearly every flooring contractor in Melbourne will recommend that all types of exterior concrete should be sealed including plain concrete, exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, stained concrete, integrally coloured concrete, stencilled concrete, engraved concrete and overlays.
Its true that some property owners think this is a profit maximising technique that the industry uses, but the reality is concrete is essentially bonded sand and it will wear over time, so adding a layer to protect this will extend the life of the flooring area.
How much does concrete floor sealing in Melbourne cost per square meter?
Our sealing service in Melbourne specialises in floors area sizes between 50m2 and 1000m2 in size for homes, retail stores, showrooms, industrial or commercial areas.
The cost to get concrete sealing in Victoria from our sealing company is very affordable compared to other options. For example we would normally do a concrete grind and seal which will cost between $50 and $75 per metre depending on the sealant type & job site.
You might be considering the use of another flooring material to put on top of the cement like carpet, tiles, outdoor pavers or stencil concreting in Melbourne but you have to compare the potential cost elements;
- How much does it cost to purchase the raw materials?
- What is the freight cost to have the materials delivered to you?
- What is the cost to prepare the surface area to be used?
- How much does it cost to have the materials layed?
- Do you have to then treat the materials once they are installed & how often does this need to be done again?
What you will very quickly discover is that grinding and sealing your existing concrete is a more cost effective choice, if not cheaper, than getting carpets, outdoor paving, floorboards or tiling. The cost calculation gets even more complicated when you consider that some of these materials need to be treated regularly to maintain their finish e.g a timber deck should be re-stained regularly.
For example getting indoor tiles layed might cost around;
- $35-$120 per square metre depending on their level of experience
- $20-$28 per square metre for simple standard ceramic tiles or ($60-$160 for porcelain or artisan tiles)
- $40-$80 per square metre to have them sealed if required
- $200 to $500 in local delivery fees
assuming the floor area is flat the cost to lay tiles might sit between $90 and $250 per square metre which will potentially be more expensive that just using your concrete slab.
Common questions we get asked about concrete sealing
Do you have to grind concrete before it can be sealed?
In most situations you have to grind your concrete slab before it can be sealed to make sure there are no imperfections and it is perfectly smooth and flat to work on. Even brand new concrete slabs might have an irregular surface if they were not made correctly. Getting concrete grinding before you do the sealing can also make sure any small imperfections are removed or even things like stains, glue or other contaminants.
How much does concrete sealing cost per square meter in Melbourne
The cost to get concrete sealing in Melbourne from our sealing company is very affordable compared to other options.
For example we would normally do a concrete grind and seal which will cost between $50 and $75 per metre.
The price varies slightly based on the difficulty of the job site, the condition of the concrete & the type of sealant that is chosen to be used on the floor.
Does concrete sealer wear off?
Concrete sealer might wear off if a poor quality sealant has been used or the actual floor wasn’t prepared correctly before the job was done.
Like any type of chemical, polish or sealant there are lots of types, brands and levels of quality available. So for example if you buy something cheap and do it yourself this will never last as long as something that has been done using industrial sealants applied by a professional concrete sealer in Melbourne.
We see lots of examples where the concrete sealer has worn off or become very scratched up or scuffed due to high foot traffic or poor initial applications.
Acrylic topical coatings have the shortest lifespan, needing to be re-applied between 1 and 3 years. Epoxy and urethane systems can last between 5 and 10 years depending on the level of traffic the floor has to deal with.
Is concrete sealing the best polished concrete protection?
Concrete sealing can be the best form of protection for polished concrete floors. Although it all depends on what has been done to the concrete slab in the first place.
If a mechanical polished concrete floor company was used like Haynes, then the surface will already have the best possible protection from the tough surface created by the mechanical polishing process.
If a sealer is placed over that then you are adding another layer of protection to keep the floor looking good for many years to come.
That is why it makes sense to use a professional sealer that works on concrete floors all the time.
Can you seal concrete floors indoors?
Yes, you can seal concrete floors indoors or even outdoors. No matter whether it is a brand new concrete slab or it is an existing one, after it has been prepared with a concrete grinding service you can then place a sealant over the surface to protect it. The type of sealant used will vary depending on the finish you want to achieve and where the concrete is located.
Is sealing new concrete in Melbourne a good idea?
Sealing new concrete in Melbourne is the best way to extend the life of the concrete slab. If you have just built a new garage for your car or even a new home, the concrete surface will need some type of flooring finish so that you can walk on it comfortably & cement dust doesn’t spread everywhere.
By sealing the new concrete you are placing a chemical layer over on the surface that can be walked on, driven on or have things like shelving or furniture placed on it.
If you take the next step, you can do a mechanical concrete polish to the floor which is even better than sealing it.
What is concrete sealing in Melbourne?
Concrete sealing is the process of preparing a concrete floor to then have a chemical sealant applied to it. The sealing process will make sure there is an even spread of protection that makes the concrete floor surface more durable. Sealing your concrete floors will protect them from damage like scratches from high heels, cutlery, furniture or high traffic from people walking on it.
Is concrete sealing better than mechanically polished concrete?
No, concrete sealing is not better than mechanically polished concrete? Think about it like this;
Option 1 – bare concrete with textured finish
Option 2 – concrete with a new sealant placed on it to preserve the surface
Option 3 – mechanically polishing the concrete by grinding down some of the top layer and applying polish to it which hardens the surface to make it even more durable than option 1 or 2.
It is like a good, better, best scenario and getting a mechanically polished concrete floor is a high end finish like you see in museums or luxury buildings.