Finding asphalt driveway sealers can be confusing.
Trying to find a quality asphalt driveway sealer when there are so many different types and brands to choose from can be difficult.
In order to build a good reputation as an asphalt contractor, you’ll need to make sure you pick driveway sealcoat products that will be able to resist rain, snow, sleet, UV rays, and automobile fluids.
In this blog post, the asphalt sealcoat product experts at B&E SealCoat Products explain the pros and cons of different types of asphalt driveway sealers so you can make an informed decision for your business.
For more information, we recommend calling an asphalt sealcoating supplier near you.
Asphalt Sealer
If you use asphalt sealant, you’ll need to apply a new coat every 2 to 3 years.
While asphalt sealer protects pavement from snow, rain, and sleet, it doesn’t offer the same level of protection against UV rays and automobile fluids compared to other sealers.
Asphalt driveway sealcoat costs slightly more than coal tar sealer, but is much better for the environment.
Unlike coal tar sealant, asphalt sealcoat has lower VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions and doesn’t smell as bad during installation.
Acrylic Polymer Sealer
Acrylic polymer sealers contain man-made materials, yet have lower VOC emissions than coal tar sealants.
While acrylic polymer sealers are also able to protect pavement from UV rays, precipitation, and automobile fluids, they are also more expensive than other types of sealers.
Many asphalt paving contractors choose acrylic polymer sealers when they need a long-lasting product for high traffic areas like shopping mall parking lots.
Coal Tar Sealer
Coal tar sealer is durable enough to resist rain, snow, automobile fluids, and UV rays.
Pavements with coal tar sealcoating are also able to resist fading from the sun.
While coal tar sealcoats offer excellent protection against the elements, they are also harmful to humans and the environment.
According to a study from the U.S. Geological Survey and Baylor University, living next to pavement with coal tar sealer is enough to increase risk of cancer in humans, especially during the first six years of life.
As coal tar sealant deteriorates, the dust can run off into local waterways, be lifted in the air and breathed in, or tracked into homes.
Coal tar sealer has high VOC emissions, which is why it has been banned in several cities and states.
What Driveway Sealant Should I Choose?
We recommend our Safe Seal asphalt sealer, which we are proud to manufacture and distribute to contractors.
Our asphalt sealer currently comes in 5 gallon buckets, 55 gallon drums, and 275 gallon totes.
We offer a variety of sizes to accommodate your next asphalt sealcoating job.
Safe Seal is safe for the environment and humans while still offering protection against freeze-thaw cycles, UV rays, oil spills, and more.
B&E Seal Coat Products Inc. is a Grand Rapids asphalt sealcoat supplier dedicated to supplying contractors with the sealcoating products they need to run a successful business.
If you are interested in browsing our inventory of asphalt sealcoating products, or need help picking out the right product, give us a call at (616) 608-6169.
