5 Best Concrete Densifiers
Concrete is great stuff, but sometimes you need your concrete to be more than just great stuff. There are times when you need concrete that is a little denser, a little harder, and a little more polishable than standard concrete. You need to find the best concrete densifier for your purposes.
Anyone familiar with concrete knows the problems of a soft pour, especially when the job calls for polishing the concrete. When polishing is not the objective, adding a densifier to concrete can help eliminate dust, reduce abrasion, and extend the life of the slab. Densifiers can produce a substantially harder surface than untreated slabs.
| Concrete Densifier Product | Active Chemical Ingredient | Best For |
| L3000 Concentrated Water-Based Densifier, Hardener, and Sealer for Concrete & Masonry | Lithium Silicate | General-purpose concrete hardening for industrial uses and before polishing |
| Sila-Tek 3500 Ultra Concentrate – 1 Gallon (Makes 5 GALLONS) Penetrating Concrete Sealer, Water, Salt & Oil Repellent | Silane/Siloxane | Polishing prep and as a primer for other sealers and stains |
| Rain Guard Water Sealers CR-0801 Micro-Seal Concrete Densifier | Lithium Silicate | Areas where high abrasion occurs from vehicle or foot traffic |
| Surecrete Liquid Concrete Hardener Concrete Lithium Densifier LD1800â„¢ | Lithium Silicate | Treating porous or weak substrates with flaking surfaces |
| Stone Technologies, Corp. Stone Technologies Corp Silicate Based Hardener Densifier | Sodium Silicate | Treating wet or damp concrete as well as exterior wood decks fences, and shingle roofs |
Choosing a concrete densifier can be almost like alchemy for some people. A quick look at some of the best concrete densifiers on the market and a brief explanation of how they work is in order. With this information, you can make the best decision about which densifier fits your needs.
Making the Right Choice for your Concrete Project Needs
Different densifiers can produce different results. The needs of your project should dictate the densifier you use. This article looks at several different concrete densifiers, their properties, and how they fit into your project needs.
Best for General Purpose Hardening: L3000 Concentrated Water-Based Densifier, Hardener, and Sealer for Concrete & Masonry
Foundation Armour manufacturers a wide range of industrial-grade concrete sealers. From residential applications to large industrial concrete finishing jobs, Foundation Armour has a product that will probably meet your needs.
The L3000 Water-based densifier is particularly effective for hard finishes. If your projects include obtaining a high gloss hard finish that is chemical resistant, L3000 is a good choice
Properties and Chemistry
Foundation Armour L3000 concrete hardener and densifier is a lithium silicate. The Foundation Armour L3000 lithium silicate formula penetrates deep into the concrete substrate. The lithium silicate reacts chemically with the concrete to form calcium silicate hydrate. This material fills the pores in the concrete, increasing strength and density in the concrete.
In many cases, the strength and density of the concrete increase as much as forty-five percent after the application. This hardening process ends to decrease the dust production as well. A benefit of using Foundation Armour L3000 doesn’t change the look or color of the concrete.
L3000 hardener and densifier work entirely below the surface of the concrete. The free lime in the concrete reacts with the calcium silicate to fill the voids and pores in the concrete. The L3000 will never break down or soften.
Benefits and Uses
The benefits and uses of the L3000 hardener and densifier from Foundation Armour are varied. Some of the more important benefits include:
- Concentrated form. One gallon dilutes with four gallons of water
- Contains up to four times the active ingredient as competitive products
- Strength and density increases of up to forty-five percent
- Breathable and UV resistant
- Made from non-recycled US manufactured resins
The L3000 hardener and densifier are useful for a multitude of applications. From pool decks to sea walls, L3000 can create longer-lasting and stronger concrete for any project. The L3000 product is appliable to:
- Poured Concrete
- Broom finished concrete
- Polished Concrete
Application and Administration
Apply the L3000 hardener and densifier with an HVLP pump sprayer. Two coats of L3000 are the best application method. Make the second coat application while the first coat is still wet. Back to back application is preferable.
For best results, apply the L3000 hardener and densifier late in the evening as temperatures in the air and the concrete are lowering. The less direct sun exposure to the concrete slab, the better.
Bringing It All Together
If your goal is to create a harder concrete surface with less residual dust, Foundation Armour L300 may be the answer to your project needs. Users of this product give it high marks when applied properly. As a surface prep for polishing concrete, Foundation Armour L3000 is an excellent choice for professionals or hobbyists.
Best for Preparation for Polishing: Sila-Tek 3505 Ultra Concentrate – 1 Gallon (Makes 5 GALLONS) Penetrating Concrete Sealer, Water, Salt & Oil Repellent
Sila-Tek 3500 by Ghostshield is a multi-purpose all-in-one primer, densifier, and sodium-based concrete preparation product. When used in conjunction with the other Ghostshield products to finish or stain concrete, the result is a harder surface that can be beautiful and durable.
The sodium-silicate formulation is cost-effective and efficient for creating dense concrete slabs with limited dust production. These surfaces are ready for staining or polishing after the appropriate cure time.
Properties and Chemistry
Like lithium-based hardeners, sodium-silicate formations work with the free lime in the concrete. The additional silicates introduced with the hardener material react with the excess calcium hydroxide. This reaction results in a denser and harder concrete finish.
By using the excess free lime in the concrete mix, the process becomes more efficient and effective. Fewer open pores in the concrete result in a denser concrete pour. A denser concrete substrate wears better, creates less dust, and polishes to a finer finish than untreated concrete.
This reaction occurs below the surface and, in most instances, doesn’t affect the color or the look of the concrete. No change in the color or look is advantageous on concrete slabs that will eventually be polished or stained.
Benefits and Uses
Sila-Tek 3500 has many effective uses on both residential and commercial concrete projects. The Ghostshield Sila-Tek 3500 is easy to prepare and apply. The concentrate mixes with water to make five gallons of concrete hardener.
Sila-Tek 3500 has many uses and benefits. Among these uses and benefits are:
- No harmful VOC’s produced during the cure or application
- Natural finish produces a concrete surface ready for staining or polishing
- One gallon of concentrate makes 5 gallons of concrete hardener
- If you use Ghostshield sealers and stains, Sila-Tek 3500 is an excellent primer
- Can produce concrete that is fifty percent harder than untreated concrete
However, there are some instances when Sila-Tek 3500 is not a good selection include:
- Sealing Bricks
- Use on concrete or cinderblock
- Already polished concrete slabs
Application and Administration
Applying Sila-Tek 3500 is a relatively easy process, but you must observe some critical preparatory and curing steps. Following these instructions will have the best results.
- Green concrete must cure to 80% of its design strength
- The slab must be clean and free of any contaminants
- The slab must be dry and clean before application
- Air temperatures must be above forty degrees Fahrenheit
- Allow the application to dry at least seven hours
- Prevent any foot or vehicle traffic for at least twenty-four hours after application
Bringing it All Together
For average applications where planning to polish or stain a concrete slab, an application of Sila-Tek 3500 can be a good preparatory strategy. If the polishing and staining involve other Ghostshield products, the chemical match and compatibility are assured. Sila-Tek 3500 produces a hard, dust-free surface ready for use or additional treatments.
Best for High Traffic Areas: Rain Guard Water Sealers CR-0801 Micro-Seal Concrete Densifier
Where your concrete surface experiences high traffic volumes, you need a concrete densifier resistant to that abrasion. Rain guard CR-0801 is a micro-sealer and densifier in one package. This product is easy to apply and is a great product choice for do-it-yourself-ers finishing small projects.
Beyond the ease of application, the CR-0801 sealer and densifier don’t produce any hazardous waste or fumes as it works. No special equipment is required, so the Rain Guard CR-0801 micro-seal product application is efficient and easy.
Properties and Chemistry
Rain Guard Micro-Seal Concrete Densifier is a lithium-based hardener. One great advantage of lithium-based hardeners is the lack of dangerous VOCs produced as the product Is uses and cures. In addition, the process produces no liquid hazardous wastes like many other hardeners.
The lithium-based formulation is much safer and less ecologically invasive than other formulations. In fact, to our knowledge, the Rain Guard CR-0801 hardeners can be used in any region or area of the country without problems.
Rain Guard has formulated the CR-0801 hardener without any carcinogens. A lack of carcinogens protects the environment and anyone using the products. That protection extends to anyone who lives and works on the surfaces. Find out if wood foundation is better than concrete.
Benefits and Uses
Rain Guard has developed CR-0801 densifier and hardener as a low-cost and efficient concrete product. This product offers numerous advantages such as:
- Creates a breathable surface
- It won’t crack, peel or yellow with time
- Easier to use than other types of densifiers and hardeners
- Cures without changing the look or color of the concrete
- Provides a dust-free surface that resists abrasion even under high traffic
CR-0801 is a dependable densifier and hardener useable in almost any situation. High resistance to dust creation and surface wear makes CR-0801 the perfect product for high traffic areas prone to abrasion.
Application and Administration
Rain Guard CR-0801 is one of the easiest hardeners to apply. Depending on the size of your project, there are a variety of approved application processes. Depending on your project, you can use one of the following application methods.
- Small Area Surfaces – if your project is a small area, CR-0801 hardener and sealer can be applied using a foam brush. The CR-0801 hardener and densifier can be brushed onto the surface and allowed to soak in and saturate the concrete as it cures.
- Surfaces with a Medium Area – A handheld pump sprayer is the best application method for medium-sized surface areas. Mix the CR-0801 and use a fine mist stray to saturate the surface of your concrete pad.
- Large Surface Area Slabs – Rain Guard recommends using an airless sprayer to apply CR-0801 onto large concrete slabs. You should use a sprayer equipped with a .035 to .05 orifice to get the proper application rates.
Best practices for applying CR-0801 include:
- Surface prep is the key. Remove all dust, debris, efflorescence, lime run, and release agents from the concrete slab’s surface.
- Point or caulk all cracks
- Apply the product according to manufacturer’s recommendations
- Allow the surface to cure completely
Some applications may require two applications to achieve the hardness goal.
Bringing It All Together
For the homeowner who wants to harden a small concrete project such as a walkway or pad for a small outdoor shed, Rain Guard CR-0801 is a perfect choice. The range of application methods and the quality of the results make this product perfect for do-it-yourself concrete projects. Cr-8081 is great for small projects that get heavy traffic or abrasion during normal use.
Best for Damaged or Unsound Concrete: Surecrete Liquid Concrete Hardener Concrete Lithium Densifier LD1800™
When your concrete is overly porous or weak surface, an application of Surecrete LD1800 Concrete Lithium Densifier can solve many of your problems. Not only will an application of LD1800 strengthen your weak concrete surface, but it can also extend that concrete’s life by many years.
LD1800 also is an excellent product to apply to freshly poured concrete to harden the new concrete to provide protection. This hardener will work to prepare concrete for polishing or staining as well.
Properties and Chemistry
Like most of the other densifiers and hardeners on our list, the Surecrete LD1800 works with free-lime in fresh or old concrete to fill the pores of the concrete and strengthen the surface. These lithium-based hardeners work below the surface of the concrete. In most cases, the chemical reaction that occurs doesn’t change the look or color of the cured concrete.
The lithium-based hardeners’ chemical reaction doesn’t produce VOC’s making them safe to use. The chemical reaction doesn’t result in hazardous waste runoff. You must take certain precautions when mixing and using the LD1800 hardener.
Benefits and Uses
Surecrete LD1800 is valuable in a wide range of applications. Some of the possible paces that the LD1800 products have value is:
- Driveways and sidewalks
- Pool Decks and Patios
- Residential concrete foundation slabs
- Commercial floor spaces
- Polished floors
The uses are, of course, much broader, and unlimited by the size or complexity of the concrete slab. Both residential and commercial applications can benefit from an application of LD1800
Damaged concrete or soft, porous concrete can benefit from the same properties. Using the free lime still available in the concrete mix, the surfaces harden further even years after originally poured.
Application and Administration
Like almost any other concrete hardener or densifier, you should take some basic preparation steps to take before applying the LD1800 concrete hardener.
- Remove all dust debris, oils, and other contaminants from the surface. If another hardener or sealer was used, the surface might need to be acid-treated to open the pores of the concrete.
- Use a low-pressure sprayer to deliver the LD1800 to the surface of the concrete. Keep the surface damp for 15 minutes. Extremely porous concrete slabs may need a second treatment.
- Rinse any remaining LD1800 hardener from the surface after 15 minutes
- Allow the surface to dry and remove any powdery residue that might form.
Bringing It All Together
While Surecrete doesn’t advertise LD1800 as a floor polishing product, many users report good results after using LD1800 to treat their concrete slab. Other users report that if allowed to sit too long without rinsing, the LD1800 product will leave a milky residue that can discolor the concrete if left in place.
Best for Treating Damp Concrete and Other Surfaces: Stone Technologies, Corp. Stone Technologies Corp Silicate Based Hardener Densifier
Damp concrete basements are a constant problem for many homeowners. Groundwater penetration can affect other concrete as well. Driveways, garage walls, mortar, and stucco can benefit from Stone Technologies silica-based hardener and densifier applications.
An application of Stone Technologies X-1 hardener helps prevent mold, mildew, and damage to the concrete from constant water penetration. The sodium silicate-based material enters the concrete through the pores and capillaries and reacts with the remaining free lime to seal these pores and capillaries. This sealing prevents further water infiltration into the surfaces of the concrete.
Properties and Chemistry
Sodium silicate works like the other silicate-based hardeners by reacting with the free-lime in the concrete. The byproduct of these reactions is a material that fills the voids and pores with a material that hardens.
Additional favorable results include:
- Higher resistance to stains
- Prevention of spalling and surface cracking
- More resistance to chemicals and hydrocarbons
- Prevent efflorescence
- It helps prevent mold and algae growth
- Stops hydrostatic water from penetrating the concrete
Benefits and Uses
Stone Technologies, Corp X-1 hardener does all the things that any good densifier and concrete hardener will do. In addition, the manufacturer advertises those other materials can benefit from the applications of this product. Some of these other uses include:
- Exterior wood surfaces
- Wood patios, decks, cedar, and wood shingles
- Grout, mortar, and stucco
Stone Technologies, Corp does recommend that the X-1 product not be used on :
- Decorative concrete
- Stamped concrete
- Aggregate concrete
You should consult the manufacturer’s website for recommendations and instructions on using the X-1 product on other surfaces and materials to avoid damage.
Application and Administration
Stone Technologies, Corp X-1 hardener, requires the same preparation before administration as other concrete hardeners. These preparations include:
- Remove all oil, dust, and any other debris before applying the hardener
- Check the absorption rate of the concrete according to the instructions included with the X-1 hardener
- Apply the X-1 product evenly. Thinner multiple coats are preferable to one heavy coating
- Wait two to four hours between applications
- Allow the X-1 hardener to cure for 24 hours
Avoid rain on the surface until the curing process is complete. Apply the product using a low-velocity fine spray.
Bringing it All Together
The Stone Technologies Corp X-1 hardener and sealer is a versatile product that can meet various needs. Where concrete dampness and hydrostatic water movement is a problem, X-1 can alleviate the water problems. The ability to use the X-1 product on other materials adds to its attractiveness to homeowners.
Harder is Better
When it comes to concrete, harder is better. The harder the surface substrate of the slab, the fewer problems with water, dust, and spalling. A harder surface makes polishing easier and produces better floors and surfaces. If staining is a part of the project, a harder surface takes a stain more even and gives better finishes. Using a hardener for your concrete project is almost always a good idea.
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Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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