Best Sealants for Pavers: Top Selections for Outdoor Surfaces
Outdoor paving requires protection that lasts. The right sealant can guard against water penetration, UV fading, staining, and sand erosion while preserving the natural beauty of stone and pavers. This guide highlights five top sealants that balance durability, ease of use, and finish—from water-based clears to glossy treatments. Each product below is selected for common paver projects, including driveways, patios, and walkways. Review the features, application notes, and surface compatibility to help you choose the best option for your climate, traffic, and aesthetic goals.
| Product | Brand | Size | Finish | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MasonryDefender Low Gloss Patio Paver Sealer | MasonryDefender | 1 Gallon | Low Gloss | Seals joints and prevents color loss; water-based with clear dry finish |
| Black Diamond Wet Look Stone Sealer | Black Diamond Stoneworks | 1 Gallon | Glossy Wet Look | Enhances color depth and provides robust protection for stone and concrete |
| McKinnon Concrete Sealer, Paver Sealer 5 Gallon | McKinnon Materials | 5 Gallons | High Gloss Wet Look | Industrial-grade reliability for a wide range of substrates |
| Armor AR350 Low Gloss Wet Look Sealer | Foundation Armor | 5 Gallons | Low Gloss Wet Look | Color enhancement with long-lasting protection for exterior surfaces |
| BEEST Paver Sealer 8600 Wet Look | BEEST | 1 Gallon | Medium Gloss Wet Look | Color enhancing with UV stability and water resistance |
MasonryDefender Low Gloss Paver Sealer
This product is a water-based acrylic sealer that initially appears milky white and dries clear, delivering a rich, low-gloss sheen. The sealer is VOC-compliant and helps prevent color loss without yellowing, preserving the natural look of pavers and stone. A key feature is its joint sealing and sand stabilization, which hardens the joint sand to reduce weed growth and ant colonies in patio installations. It is well-suited for clay brick, clay pavers, cement pavers, and natural stone, and it works on most horizontal, above-grade concrete surfaces.
Application tends to be straightforward for DIY projects. The formula provides protection against fading and moisture ingress while maintaining a subtle, refined finish. Because it seals joints and stabilizes sand, it can simplify maintenance by keeping joint material in place longer. Surface pre-cleaning and even coats across the area help achieve a durable, uniform appearance. It blends well with typical patio hardscape colors and textures while minimizing color shift over time.
Black Diamond Wet Look Stone Sealer
The Wet Look Sealer from Black Diamond Stoneworks delivers a dramatic glossy finish that enhances the appearance of a variety of surfaces, including exposed aggregate, stamped, colored, or decorative stone. It is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, bringing out the richness and depth of color while preserving the natural look of most stones after drying. The product is versatile and can be applied with spray, brush, or roller to concrete, pavers, slate, driveways, garages, patios, and brickwork, making it a flexible option for many outdoor projects.
Notably, Wet Look retains a vivid finish without obscuring texture on many surfaces. It offers robust chemical resistance and weather protection, helping to maintain the stone’s appearance against staining and wear. While it enhances color, it generally preserves the surface’s natural look rather than darkening excessively, supporting a refreshed yet authentic aesthetic for walkways and outdoor living spaces.
McKinnon 5 Gallon Paver Sealer
McKinnon’s Concrete Sealer for pavers is marketed as an industrial-grade option designed for both outdoor and indoor use. The water-based modified acrylic formulation is tailored for unsealed surfaces as well as those previously sealed with a water-based acrylic sealer. A standout claim is that the sealer will not peel or crack, offering durable protection across diverse substrates, including concrete, cement, pavers, natural stone, rock, limestone, flagstone, pool decks, brick, and stucco. The versatility makes it a practical choice for larger projects or commercial applications.
Professional-grade durability is a central feature, with emphasis on long-lasting resistance to abrasion, weathering, and UV exposure. The product’s broad substrate compatibility supports mixed-material installations, which are common on multi-surface driveways and patios. Applicators should follow surface preparation guidelines and reapply as needed to maintain the wet-look finish and protective barrier over time.
Armor AR350 Low Gloss Paver Sealer
Armor AR350 is a professional-grade, solvent-based low-gloss wet-look sealer designed for exterior concrete and pavers. It can be used on unsealed surfaces or on concrete and pavers previously sealed with a solvent-based acrylic sealer. The product is formulated to deliver a dramatic color enhancement with a wet-look finish that remains non-yellowing and durable over time. It provides protection against surface abrasion, moisture intrusion, road salts, UV exposure, and other outdoor elements, supporting long-lasting appearance in residential and commercial settings.
As a solvent-based option, AR350 typically offers deeper penetration and a more pronounced color shift than some water-based alternatives. It is especially suitable for high-traffic areas where a robust, glossy finish is desired. Careful surface preparation and proper ventilation during application are recommended due to solvent-based curing requirements.
BEEST 8600 Wet Look Paver Sealer
BEEST PS-8600 Wet Look Paver Sealer provides a medium gloss finish designed to revive faded or worn surfaces. It is a water-based formulation that offers color enhancement while remaining UV-stable and non-yellowing in outdoor environments. The sealer helps resist staining from oil and other contaminants and protects against water absorption and abrasion. For porous surfaces like natural stone or concrete, additional coats may be needed to achieve the desired gloss and color depth, ensuring a durable, refreshed appearance for patios and driveways.
Like many wet-look sealers, BEEST 8600 is designed for ease of application via spray, roller, or brush, with surface drying typically occurring in a relatively short time. It suits projects where a balanced finish—visible gloss without an overly darkened look—is preferred, providing a polished, welcoming exterior that complements landscape designs and architecture.
Buying Guide
Choosing the right sealant for pavers depends on finish preference, surface type, and maintenance expectations. Below are key purchase considerations and how the five options compare.
- Finish and appearance: For a subtle, natural look with joint protection, consider MasonryDefender Low Gloss. If you want a bold, glossy “wet look,” Black Diamond Wet Look, McKinnon, Armor AR350, or BEEST 8600 are strong contenders, with McKinnon offering an industrial-grade edge and Armor AR350 delivering a pronounced color shift.
- Water-based vs solvent-based: Water-based sealers (MasonryDefender, Black Diamond, BEEST) tend to offer easier cleanup, lower odor, and lower VOCs, while solvent-based options (Armor AR350) typically provide deeper color enhancement and potentially stronger penetration in some installations. Silane-siloxane penetrating sealers (like Armor SX5000 WB in this lineup) prioritize water repellency with minimal color change, but are not included in the five picks above to keep finish-focused comparisons clear.
- Surface compatibility: Ensure the product matches pavers, concrete, natural stone, or brick in your project. McKinnon’s option emphasizes wide substrate compatibility, including flagstone and stucco, which can be advantageous for mixed-material areas.
- Durability and protection: UV resistance, abrasion resistance, and resistance to staining are critical for driveways and high-traffic walkways. Solvent-based sealers generally offer strong top-coat durability; water-based options emphasize VOC safety and easier maintenance, with varying gloss retention.
- Color enhancement vs natural appearance: If you want noticeable color depth, Wet Look products (Black Diamond, McKinnon, BEEST, Armor AR350) provide more dramatic shifts. For a more restrained appearance and sand stabilization benefits, MasonryDefender Low Gloss can be the better fit.
- Joint sand stabilization: MasonryDefender emphasizes joint sealing and sand hardening, which can reduce weed growth and maintain joint stability—an added benefit for aged or sand-filled paver installations.
- Coats and coverage: Porous surfaces may require multiple coats to achieve the desired gloss or color. Follow manufacturer guidance on drying times, recoat windows, and cure times to ensure even protection.
- Safety and maintenance: VOC compliance and cleanup practicality are important for DIY projects. Opt for products with clear re-coating instructions and compatibility with routine cleaning. Always test a small area before full-scale application to confirm look and performance.
The best choice depends on your priorities: a low-gloss, color-stable seal with joint stabilization; a high-gloss, color-rich finish for a dramatic outdoor space; or a durable, versatile sealer for mixed-material installations. By balancing finish, durability, and surface compatibility, you can select a sealant that protects your pavers while maintaining the aesthetic you want for years to come.