Sealing concrete protects it from staining and marking.
All concrete surfaces should be protected from staining and marking, making them easy to clean and maintain. PeterFell has a range of sealing products, all developed and manufactured in New Zealand to suit our country’s unique conditions. In addition to sealers, interior floors can be polished using PeterFell C2 Polished Concrete System.
Which sealer to use where.
Indoor or out, we have a sealer to suit.
Each has been designed for specific applications – and provides their own distinctive look – so it’s important that you use the right sealer for the right application. The concrete textures sets the gloss level and slip-resistance of the sealer, and it is important to select the right sealer for the best performance in each situation. Use this handy guide to help you – or contact us to talk through your project.
PFL Glaze Sealer |
PFL Satin Sealer |
PFL Acrylic Sealer |
PFL Epoxy Sealer |
PFL Natural Sealer |
|
For |
Highly recommended for: Patios, paths, driveways, pool surrounds, and light commercial. Can also be used for: House floors, garages, tilt-slab walls and plaster. |
Highly recommended for: Patios, paths and pool surrounds. Can also be used for: House floors, garages, tilt-slab walls and plaster. |
Can be used for: House floors, patios, paths, pool surrounds, tilt-slab walls and plaster. |
Highly recommended for: Internal floors. |
Highly recommended for: Tilt-slab walls and plaster. Can also be used for: Patios, driveways, paths, pool surrounds, garages and public spaces. |
Appearance |
Wet look finish. | Wet look with matt finish. | Slight lift in colour. | Slight lift in colour. | Natural with no change in colour or texture. |
Considerations |
Fumes can be powerful when used inside, so good ventilation is essential. | Fumes can be powerful when used inside, so good ventilation is essential. | Do not use on Driveways or Garages. Cannot be used with PFL Anti-Slip | Cannot be used outside. | Non-coating so does not form a barrier to a number of contaminants. |
Chemistry |
High solids solvent-based acrylic. | High solids solvent-based acrylic with matting agent. | High solids water-based acrylic. | Water-based 1:1 epoxy. | Silane/Siloxane in a mineral spirit carrier. |
Ensuring a safe non-slip surface outside.
Textured concrete can be sealed without making it slippery.
A common misconception is that if you seal a concrete floor it will become slippery. The texture of the concrete is retained through all the PeterFell sealers, meaning if an appropriate non-slip texture was applied when the concrete was laid, the sealer will not make the surface slippery. If further texture is required, PFL Anti-Slip – a fine transparent grit, can be added to PFL Glaze and PFL Satin Sealer to give improved slip resistance. It is recommended that a test patch is conducted prior to application to ensure that the sealed surface has adequate slip resistance.
Sealing concrete yourself?
Our sealers are easy to use and can be applied by any handy-person.
All PeterFell Sealers come with full application instructions. The key to good result is all in the preparation. The concrete is cleaned to remove any contaminants or marks, then given an acid wash to remove surface laitance (efflorescence). Once you are satisfied the surface is clean and it is completely dry, two coats of the sealer selected can be applied. The video’s below outline these preparation and sealing steps, and this PeterFell Sealing information Guide outlines the sealing process.
Our sealers and the environment.
EnviroSpec is a New Zealand consultancy that specialises in environmental specification and certification programmes.
They conducted independent testing and have verified that our PFL Acrylic Sealer and PFL Epoxy Sealer are low VOC and meet Green Star NZ and Homestar requirements for applied coatings.
Our sealers can be used for escape paths.
Several of the PeterFell Sealers have been ISO 9239.1 tested and meet the requirements under the Building Code.
This test assesses wind-opposed burning behaviour and spread of flame on horizontal surface (i.e sealed concrete floor) exposed to a heat flux radiant gradient. This means that the PFL Epoxy Sealer, PFL Glaze Sealer, PFL Satin Sealer meet the safety guidelines in the event of fire and can be used on escape paths.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I really need to seal my coloured concrete?
Yes. Sealing enhances the look of your concrete and protects it from staining and marking. It also stops any ‘dusting’ from forming on the surface that can mask the colour of the concrete (people often mistake this effect as colour fading).
Where can I buy Peter Fell Sealers?
You can buy from us direct and we’ll deliver straight to your door. Visit our showroom or order online.
Is the sealer easy to apply?
Yes, Peter Fell sealers can be applied by any competent DIYer (check the videos to see how easy it is). The one exception is our PeterFell C2 Polished Concrete range. For a reputable contractor in your area, who can seal your concrete, please contact us.
Can I get a testpot to help me decide?
Yes, you can. Click on each individual product to order the relevant testpot.
So what are the steps I need to follow if I’m applying it myself?
The steps for preparing and sealing your concrete are outlined in the PeterFell Sealer Information Guide.
Do I have to “acid wash” my concrete floor before it’s sealed?
Yes. You can use either PFL Surface Preparation or PFL Surface Prep Lite. This will remove any laitance (or ‘dusting’) on the surface of the new concrete. No other method will be as effective. It’s important that you do this, otherwise the sealer won’t adhere to the surface properly. The steps for preparing and sealing your concrete are outlined in the PeterFell Sealer Information Guide.
How long does the sealer last?
No concrete sealer will last forever. The floor life of the sealer is very much dependent on the preparation and application of the sealer. For typical application, PeterFell sealers have a floor life of approximately 3 – 5 years. This is a guide only and is not guaranteed as in-service life of the sealer is very much dependent on preparation and application of the sealer, and use, which are beyond the control of Peter Fell Ltd. The floor life of internal sealed floors is significantly prolonged through use of PFL CoverSeal. All PeterFell sealers can easily be re-applied to provide ongoing protection of the concrete surface.
Will the sealer make my floor slippery?
No. The grip and texture of the finished surface are created by the concrete itself. While the sealer coats the surface of the concrete, it doesn’t affect the texture. All external concrete surfaces (such as decks, driveways and pool surrounds) should be finished with a texture that’s right for the situation – ie non-slip. If the concrete isn’t of a suitable texture, you should seal it with PFL Glaze Sealer and PFL Satin Sealer containing PFL Anti-Slip. PFL Anti-Sip is simply added to the sealer to improve slip-resistance on all flat concrete surfaces.
What gloss levels do the sealers come in?
The final gloss level all depends on the finish and texture of your concrete.
If you want a high gloss (for internal living sears, for example), the concrete should be finished with as little texture as possible. Alternatively, for a more durable high gloss finish, you can use products from the PeterFell C2 Polished Concrete range.
External surfaces are finished with more texture to make them more slip resistant. This will create a more matt finish.
You can maintain the gloss level of your sealed internal floors simply by applying PFL CoverSeal over the PFL Sealer.
Can I seal walls?
Yes. Precast or insitu concrete walls can be sealed with a number of products from our range. Contact us to determine what product is best for your wall.
Can I get a coloured sealer?
Yes. You’ll find our range of Tinted Sealers here.
Do I need to use PFL CoverSeal as well?
We recommend that all sealed internal floors use PFL Coverseal to enhanced performance. This is applied over whichever concrete sealer you’ve chosen.