Last updated on June 14th, 2022
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Make your driveways or patios and other surfaces look brand new and add some extra protection by applying reliable and more importantly durable, patio sealer. It is ideal for Indian stone among other surfaces. Patio sealers offer protection from the elements and elongate the life of your surfaces. They also make the surfaces easier to clean because materials like oil and grease cannot seep through to stain the surface, many sealers also help prevent algae and moss from growing too.
If you are looking to buy the best patio sealer, you are in luck! Below are six patio sealers of different strengths, materials and different prices, from natural look finishes, to the wet look finish some people prefer.
We have assembled detailed reviews and a buying guide to help you find an optimal performing sealer depending on the material and finish. However, before that, let us take a peep at our top performers.
BEST PICK
RUNNER UP
Top 6 Patio Sealers Reviews
1. Everbuild 405 Path and Patio Seal Paving Sealer
BEST PICK
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Starting this review is the Everbuild 405 Path and Patio Seal Paving Sealer that protects different types of surfaces from the elements as well as grease, oil, dirt and petrol, it also helps prevent moss and algae buildup too. This acrylic product creates a protective layer that has water repellent abilities, but it is slip-free, which is important, especially on steep driveways.
The protective coating doesn’t promote the build-up of dirt, so the surfaces can be kept clean much easier. It comes in a 25-litre container with user instructions for correct use, stick to the instructions to get the perfect finish and don’t be tempted to apply it as one thick coat, two thin coats are perfect and will give a slightly darker, more wet look if you apply several coats.
You do not have to worry about toxic chemicals because the product is safe for animals and plants because it is solvent-free.
Pros
- Can protect different surfaces. From natural stone, block paving, concrete and pretty much any other hard surface.
- Easy to apply by sprayer or roller.
- The protective layer created is not slippery making it also ideal for steep drives.
- Offers good value for money.
Our recommendation
The Everbuild 405 Path and Patio Seal Paving Sealer is very easy to apply because it dries quickly, so you can easily apply a second coat within a couple of hours. This makes it both quicker and easier to apply.
For those with sensitivity to chemical smells, you do not have to worry because it does not have the common solvent smell. We love that it is ideal for treating different surfaces from Indian stove patio to concrete driveways so if you have a mixture of materials on your patio or driveways, for example, you can buy just the one sealant.
Overall it’s a great product that gives an excellent finish, pop over to Amazon using the links below, and you will see how good the 1500+ reviews on there are. This is, without a doubt, the best choice for most people looking for a good patio sealant.
Got a tarmac drive or path that needs restoring and bringing back to life? – Check out which are the best tarmac restorers and how to apply them
2. Ronseal PBPSWL5L Patio & Block Paving Seal Wet Look
RUNNER UP
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The Ronseal PBPSWL5L Patio & Block Paving Sealer is perfect for your paved walkways if you looking for a wet look finish, similar to that of when it’s been raining. This really brings out the colours, especially when the sun reflects off it.
The easy to apply patio sealant protects your walkways from the discolouration that is caused by fuels and oil and this makes it perfect for driveways. It also protects the surfaces from grease, making it perfect for patios.
It also does a great job at keeping moss and algae from taking over your walkways and patios because it incorporates a biocide. The sealant comes in a 5-litre container and clear instructions for the best results, which is by using a roller to apply the sealant once it is clean and dry.
Pros
- Perfect for giving a wet look on block paving, paving slabs and concrete.
- Easy to apply using a roller to get that perfect finish.
- Offers an even-looking finish.
- It consists of a biocide to keep moss/algae at bay.
Cons
- Not advised for Indian stone (See our next pick).
Our recommendation
The Ronseal PBPSWL5L Patio & Block Paving Sealer works as advertised and is great for block paving, patio slabs and concrete. However, and this is important, we would perhaps avoid using it on Indian stone because some of the reviews we found during our research commented that it did not give a good finish.
We like that it has an effective biocide and that it is easy to apply with a roller. If you have a large area to cover, buy several cans so that you can apply the necessary coats without running out midway because you do need to apply the second coat within a couple of hours. We are confident in the performance of this product because customers are pleased with it if you are using it on the right materials (not Indian stone) and are looking for a wet look finish.
Read next: Best floor sweepers for patios and driveways
3. Everbuild EVBRBINDENH5 Resiblock Indian Sandstone Sealer
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The Everbuild EVBRBINDENH5 Resiblock Indian Sandstone Sealer is a stain-resistant product that enhances the colour of Indian sandstone walkways, patios and driveways. Simply put, what a product. Other products just don’t compare but the trade-off is the price, its really expensive.
With every litre of the sealer you use, you can cover an area between 4-6m2, so with the full 5-litre container, you can treat around 20-30m2. Where it does save (despite the price) is that you only need to apply one coat. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for and after spending £1000s on a patio, (my own 9m x 3m Indian stone patio was over £5000 to install), it’s well worth paying a little extra to seal it.
You can use a roller or brush to apply the product depending on the one that you are comfortable working with, I personally think a roller is easier. The 5-litre sealant can keep your patios protected for up to 5 years depending on weather conditions and use.
Pros
- Designed especially for protecting Indian stone.
- Covers an area of 4-6m2 per litre (20-30m2 for the full container).
- Discourages the growth of moss/algae.
- Offers a good finish.
- Easy to apply with a brush or roller and only needs one coat.
Cons
- Expensive.
Our recommendation
If you are looking for a premium-priced sandstone sealant, then the Everbuild EVBRBINDENH5 Resiblock Indian Sandstone Sealer is expensive but you will find most other sealers don’t even come close to the finish on Indian stone and with just one coat too.
This product is a bit expensive, especially if you want to cover a large area, but it works exactly as advertised and gives a finish most other products can’t be compared to.
It will bring out the colour of the stone and protect it from the elements and whatever else ends up on there, think of greasy BBQs and oil spills. The good news is that it offers protection for a long while before needing another application. If you are looking for the very best sealer for Indian stone, this is well worth considering.
Read next: How to clean patios and driveways
4. Stoneworks Wet Look Natural Stone Sealer
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Give your surfaces a fabulous wet look by using the Stoneworks Wet Look Natural Stone Sealer. This 3.78 litre sealer is not only appropriate for natural stone surfaces, but it can be used on concrete, brick and slate, amongst others.
The US-made product protects the surface without darkening it, however, this depends on the surface in question because some might slightly darken. Per gallon of this sealant, you can cover an area of 600ft2 using a roller, a brush or you can spray it on. We think this is a great choice if you have a slate patio and it’s the only one that actually mentions slate.
Pros
- It can be used on a wide variety of surfaces including slate.
- Easy to apply with a brush, roller or sprayer.
- Provides good value for money.
- Covers an area of 600ft2 per 3.78L container.
Cons
- Does not provide the full glossy wet look.
Our recommendation
The Stoneworks Wet Look Natural Stone Sealer works perfectly if you just need a general sealer for different masonry surfaces. This product is advertised to give a wet look, but the finished product is not as shiny as you might expect.
Even if you apply a few thin coats, it still will not achieve that glossy look but it does give a shine and helps protect your patio. Apart from that, it works perfectly fine in protecting your surfaces from the elements and does work well on slate too.
Read next: Best patio cleaners
5. Sika Patio Seal
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Next, we have the much more affordable Sika Patio Seal that has a powerful formulation to protect your surfaces from the elements. The solvent-free product creates a barrier that protects your stone walkways/patios from the grease, dirt, oil and whatever else is unfortunate enough to stain your patio.
It features an active fungicide to prevent unwanted plant growth. Also, the patio seal has dustproof abilities hence it will be easy to keep the surface clean. One litre of this sealant will cover 4-8m2, with this 5-litres, you can cover a sizeable area of around 20 to 40m2 depending on how you apply it.
This product is designed with more protection in mind rather than trying to significantly enhance the look.
Pros
- It does not have a lingering odour.
- Ideal for most stone surfaces.
- Features a fungicide for preventing the build-up of algae.
- Leaves a nice finish.
- Easy to apply.
- Very affordable with good coverage.
Our recommendation
The Sika Patio Seal is a great product, and its coverage is excellent. But best of all the price is affordable so it offers excellent value for money. We appreciate its consistency because it is easy to apply with a roller or sprayer. If you have a stone or paved walkway, this product could serve you well if you looking to just add protection and you aren’t too worried about enhancing the look with a shiny or wet look finish.
Overall, it is a fantastic product that does what it says on the tin.
Read next: Best pressure washers for patios and driveways
6. Smartseal Block Paving Sealer
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The Smartseal Block Paving Sealer is a high-performance sealer available in different sizes, including a sample option so you can try it out on a small area first which is super handy. It saves you from buying a large container only to learn it doesn’t give the finish you expected.
The sealer is made to protect block paving from the elements as well as oil spills, grease and everything else we have mentioned previously. With one application of two or more coats, the sealer will protect the driveways and patios for several years.
The acrylic solvent-based sealer offers a decent coverage of 2m2 per litre on the first coat and 3.5m2 on the second coat. You don’t have to worry about moss/weed/algae growth because the formulation features a biocide too.
Pros
- Enhances the look and protects block paving, concrete block and cobble-type pavers.
- Gives a decent coverage per litre.
- Easy to apply to give a wet finish.
- You can purchase a sample size.
Cons
- It is more suited for spraying rather than using a roller.
- Not suitable for clay pavers.
Our recommendation
The Smartseal Block Paving Sealer is ideal for block paved driveways and patios, and it works well. It will also help protect your surfaces from moss or weeds, and it is easy to apply.
It is advised that you spray it on instead of using a roller for optimal coverage. It is designed for professional use, therefore, you can trust it is a quality product that offers good value for money. Don’t forget it’s not suitable for clay pavers.
Buyer’s Guide
If you are shopping for the patio sealer for Indian stone or block paving, or maybe you have pattern imprinted concrete, this section will help you find the best one for you.
We will cover why it is essential to use a patio sealer and some of the features to look out for. It will not take too much of your time hence bear with us.
Why is it essential to use a patio sealer?
- It enhances the natural look of the stone surface.
- It creates a barrier that prevents the stone from staining caused by oils, grease and dirt.
- It prevents the stones from additional wear and tear caused by the elements, UV rays and general foot traffic, thus elongating the service life.
- Prevents moss, algae and other unwanted plant life from taking over the surface.
- Depending on the sealer formulation, it will provide a wet finish that is aesthetically pleasing and will bring out the colours in the stone.
Type of surface
It is essential to work with a sealer that is created specifically for the type of surface you are dealing with. This will ensure that the surface is fully protected and you get good value for money. Always look at the product description to understand which surfaces are compatible with the sealant. Choose carefully for Indian stone because not all sealants give a good finish on this material.
Area of coverage
Are you covering a large area or a small area? Because it will determine how many containers of patio sealer you need to buy. The best patio sealer for sandstone will specify the area that the sealer solution covers per litre depending on the coats to be applied. If you are covering a large area, just buy several containers of the sealer to save money. Don’t forget for most people, it doesn’t usually go quite as far as the manufacturer says.
Protection from algae/moss
The patio sealer you purchase should be able to keep unsightly moss and algae away. This way, you can enjoy an easy to clean patio/driveway/walkway that is also less slippery.
Some are not that strong; therefore, algae and moss come back after some time. You want to look for a sealer that has a strong formulation that has been proven to work by many customers. Also, consider using something like Algon patio cleaner once a year to also help combat algae and moss if this is a problem.
Quality of the finish
If a sealer promises to provide a specific type of finish on paper, it should be able to do so in real life. If you want a glossy finish, the promised patio sealer wet look will be accomplished without applying several coats. It is also essential that the finish be persistent instead of fading away after some time. Usually the more expensive the product, the better it is. That old saying, you get what you pay for comes to mind.
Odours
These sealers are made of chemicals, so it is typical for a chemical smell to appear, especially for solvent-based sealers, but it will fade after drying.
What is not appreciated is a persistent chemical odour even when the sealer is dry. For those who are sensitive to strong smells, you might want to look into a product more before settling for it. Customer reviews are always a good source of information.
How long does it take to dry?
You want a sealer that does not take too much time to dry, otherwise, you will end up wasting a lot of time. Some take days while others take a matter of hours. If you are in a hurry, select a formulation that doesn’t need too much time in-between applications to dry.
Application method
Patio sealers can be sprayed or applied with a roller or brush. The most effective patio sealer for patios will allow spraying as a method of application for complete coverage and this is usually the least wasteful, however, some people (like myself) prefer to use a roller or good old brush.
Choose a method that you are comfortable with because it is only you who understands the area that needs coverage.
Final Conclusion
Selecting a patio sealer is not hard work. All you have to remember is the type of surface you are working with and the area you need to cover plus the finished look. The rest you can figure out as you go.
A good example of reliable patio sealers that can cater to Indian stone as well as most other surfaces is our Best Pick the Everbuild 405 Path and Patio Seal Paving Sealer.
Those looking for the ultimate wet look will not be disappointed with the Ronseal PBPSWL5L Patio & Block Paving Sealer which is well worth considering.
Before sealing a patio, you obviously need to clean it again and if you have a problem with moss you can check out my best moss killers for driveways, patios and paths here.
If you need to put some new patio grout compounds down and give your patio a refresh check out my guide on the best patio grout compounds.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
