Driveway Sealing
Broom-finished driveways get a penetrating silane or siloxane sealer that soaks in and repels salt water. Your driveway keeps its natural look and its traction.
Driveway and Patio Sealing
Concrete Sealing for Driveways and Patios in Cambridge, ON
Sila Concrete Contracting seals driveways, stamped patios, exposed aggregate, walkways and pool decks across Cambridge and Waterloo Region. A sealer is the cheapest protection concrete can get against road salt, meltwater, oil stains and UV fading.
The right sealer depends on the surface. A broom-finished driveway needs a breathable penetrating sealer that keeps chlorides out without making it slippery, while stamped and coloured concrete needs a film-forming acrylic that brings back colour and gloss.
We have sealed and resealed concrete for 12+ years across more than 600 jobs, and our licensed, insured and WSIB covered crews choose products by chemistry rather than by what is on sale at the hardware store.
Our Concrete Sealing Services
We seal new concrete once it has cured and reseal older surfaces on a regular cycle. Each service below uses a different product and method.
Stamped and Coloured Concrete Resealing
We clean, strip where needed and reseal stamped concrete and coloured and stained concrete to bring back depth and gloss.
Exposed Aggregate Sealing
A sealer locks stones in place and gives exposed aggregate concrete its wet-look colour. We apply thin coats so the stones do not turn cloudy.
Joint Sealing
Open joints let water reach the base and freeze. We seal them with flexible polyurethane as part of the job, and handle full joint replacement through our concrete expansion joints service.
Pool Deck Sealing
Pool decks need a breathable, chlorine-tolerant sealer with grit for bare feet. We seal after the deck dries out and before the pool opens for the season.
Commercial Walkway Sealing
Entrances, sidewalks and plazas get penetrating sealers that cut salt damage without creating a slip hazard, scheduled through our commercial concrete program.
Penetrating vs Film-Forming Sealers
Penetrating sealers react inside the concrete and leave no visible film, while film-forming sealers sit on top as a thin protective coat. Each has a place, and choosing the wrong one is the root of most sealing complaints we see.
| Sealer type | Look | Salt protection | Slip | Typical recoat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silane or siloxane penetrating | Invisible, natural | Excellent, repels chloride-laden water | Unchanged | 3 to 7 years |
| Solvent-based acrylic | Wet look, gloss | Good while intact | Slippery when wet unless grit added | 2 to 3 years |
| Water-based acrylic | Low to satin sheen | Moderate | Less slippery than solvent | 1 to 3 years |
| Polyurethane | High gloss, hard film | Good, resists abrasion and chemicals | Slippery without grit | 3 to 5 years |
| Lithium silicate densifier | Invisible, hardens surface | Low on its own | Unchanged | Usually one time, for interior floors |
Typical penetrating products include Prosoco Consolideck SLX and Euclid Baracade Silane, and our acrylic work uses solvent-based sealers in the 25 to 30% solids range. Lithium densifiers suit interior floors, not driveways, because they harden concrete but do little to keep salt water out.
Which Sealer for Which Surface
Match the sealer to the finish and how the surface is used. These are the pairings we recommend in Waterloo Region.
Broom-Finish Driveways
Use a penetrating silane or siloxane. It keeps salt water out of the pores without a film that tires can peel or that turns slick under freezing rain.
Stamped and Coloured Concrete
Use a solvent-based acrylic with an anti-slip grit additive. It restores colour depth and protects release-agent antiquing, but it needs recoating every few years.
Exposed Aggregate
Use a breathable acrylic or a penetrating sealer, depending on whether you want a wet look. Thin coats prevent white clouding over the stone.
Pool Decks
Use a breathable water-based or penetrating sealer with grit. A heavy solvent film on a pool deck traps moisture and peels in a single season.
Our Sealing Process
- 01
Inspect and Test
We check what sealer is already on the surface with a water drop test and a solvent rub. Repairs and joint issues are noted before cleaning starts.
- 02
Clean and Strip
We pressure wash with a surface cleaner, degrease oil spots and treat efflorescence with a mild acid cleaner where needed. Failed or cloudy acrylic is stripped with a solvent or chemical stripper.
- 03
Repair Joints and Cracks
Open joints and cracks are filled with polyurethane sealant over backer rod so water cannot get under the slab. Larger damage is passed to our repair crew first.
- 04
Wait for a Dry Window
Concrete must be dry, with air and surface temperatures around 10°C or warmer and no rain for 24 hours. Sealing damp concrete is the leading cause of blushing and peeling.
- 05
Apply Two Thin Coats
We apply sealer with a low-pressure sprayer and back-roll to avoid puddles, then add a second thin coat at the manufacturer's recoat time. Two thin coats outperform one heavy one.
- 06
Cure and Reopen
We cone or tape off the area and give you clear foot and vehicle times. Penetrating sealers reopen fastest, film-forming acrylics take longer.
Best Time of Year to Seal
The best time to seal concrete in Cambridge is a warm, dry stretch between late May and early October. Aim for daytime highs between about 10°C and 30°C, with dry weather in the forecast.
New concrete should cure at least 28 days before a film-forming sealer goes on, so moisture can escape first. A driveway poured in late fall can still get a penetrating sealer the following spring, before it has seen many salt cycles.
For existing concrete, early fall is ideal because it sets the surface up for salt season. Sealing in the heat of a July afternoon is a mistake, because the solvent flashes off too fast and leaves bubbles and roller marks.
Downsides of Sealing and How to Avoid Them
Sealing has real downsides when the wrong product goes on the wrong way. Every one of them is avoidable with the right choice and timing.
Slipperiness comes from glossy film sealers on walking areas, so we add a fine polymer or aluminum oxide grit to every acrylic coat on steps, decks and walkways. Blushing, a milky white haze, happens when moisture is trapped under solvent acrylic; we seal only dry concrete and can re-dissolve light blushing with a solvent such as xylene.
Peeling results from heavy coats, moisture from below or sealer applied over a dirty surface, which is why we clean thoroughly and keep coats thin. Darkening is normal with acrylics, so we show you a test patch first if colour change matters.
Ready to Protect Your Concrete Before Winter?
Book a sealing visit in late summer or early fall and your concrete goes into salt season protected.
Sealing Cost and Maintenance Plans
Professional concrete sealing in Cambridge typically costs $1.25 to $4.50 per sq ft in 2026. Most two-car driveways fall between $500 and $1,200, depending on the sealer and the prep needed.
| Job | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Penetrating silane or siloxane on a broom driveway | $1.25 to $2.25 per sq ft |
| Acrylic reseal on stamped or coloured concrete | $2 to $3.50 per sq ft |
| Strip and reseal failed or cloudy acrylic | $3 to $4.50 per sq ft |
| Joint sealing during a sealing visit | $4 to $8 per linear foot |
| Typical two-car driveway | $500 to $1,200 |
Prices move with surface area, how dirty the concrete is, whether old sealer must be stripped, joint and crack work, and access around landscaping. We offer an optional reseal reminder so you hear from us when your sealer type is due, without any contract.
Sealing work carries a written workmanship warranty against peeling or blushing caused by our application; normal wear from traffic, snow removal and salt is not covered.
Concrete Sealing Throughout Waterloo Region
We seal and reseal concrete in Cambridge and the communities around it, typically booking fall sealing visits from August onward.
Concrete Sealing in Cambridge
Driveway and stamped patio sealing from Galt to Hespeler, our busiest area.
Driveway Sealing in Kitchener
Penetrating sealers on driveways and walkways in neighbourhoods across the city.
Concrete Sealing in Waterloo
Stamped, coloured and exposed aggregate resealing for homes and commercial entrances.
Concrete Sealing in Guelph
Pool deck and patio sealing timed before opening day.
Concrete Sealing in Wilmot Township
Long rural driveways and shop aprons around Baden and New Hamburg.
Concrete Sealing in Brantford
Resealing older stamped work and protecting new pours from salt.
Concrete Sealing FAQs
Should I seal my concrete driveway?
Yes, in Ontario you should. Road salt and freeze-thaw cycles drive chloride-laden water into unsealed concrete, which causes scaling and rusts reinforcing steel, and a penetrating sealer slows that dramatically for a small fraction of replacement cost.
How often should concrete be resealed?
Penetrating silane or siloxane sealers typically last 3 to 7 years, and acrylics on stamped or coloured concrete need a fresh coat every 2 to 3 years. A simple test is to splash water on the surface; if it soaks in and darkens the concrete, it is time.
How long should I stay off sealed concrete?
With penetrating sealers you can usually walk on the surface after 4 to 6 hours and drive on it after 24 hours. Film-forming acrylics need about 24 hours for foot traffic and 48 to 72 hours for vehicles, longer in cool weather.
What happens if you don't seal concrete?
Unsealed concrete absorbs salt water, which freezes, expands and pops the surface off in flakes, a failure called scaling. It also stains more easily and, on coloured or stamped work, fades much faster.
What is the best concrete sealer for Canadian winters?
For plain driveways and walks, a high-solids silane or siloxane penetrating sealer is the best choice. For decorative concrete, a solvent-based acrylic with anti-slip grit gives the best balance of colour and protection.
Book Your Sealing Appointment
Tell us the surface, roughly how big it is and when it was last sealed. If we see cracks or spalls during the visit, we will flag them for concrete repair before any sealer goes on.
- Photos of the surface, including any stains or flaking
- Approximate size of the area
- Type of finish: broom, stamped, coloured or aggregate
- When it was last sealed, if known