Driveway Sealcoating With Spray Vs. Brush: Which Application Is Better?
Driveway sealings can go one of two ways: through a spray, or through the use of a brush-on sealant. Both types of driveway sealcoatings offer excellent protection in their own ways, yet one is going to be better than the other. Want to learn about these two options before you decide to seal everything up?
Spraying sealer on your driveway is the most common way to do it, since it provides a thicker, even coating. It’s great for filling up smaller holes, too. However, brush-on sealant can be a better option for people who want to move sealant into places by hand. It relies on skill, which is why it’s fallen out of favor.
Before you try to DIY your own driveway sealing, you should be aware of the differences in both application and outcome. Just like usual, Upgraded Home is here to help parse out the details.
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Before We Begin: An Introduction To Both Types Of Sealants
Let’s start with a simple and quick introduction to how both types of driveway seals work, and what you should expect from each.
What Is Brush-On Driveway Sealer?
Brush-on driveway sealer is the oldest form of sealer on the market. It’s applied using a squeegee brush and requires intense manual labor to use. It’s also the cheaper form in many cases, if you want to do it yourself. Brush-on seals often have thinner coats than sprayable seals, even though their sealant tends to have a thicker viscosity.
What Is Sprayable Driveway Sealer?
Sprayable driveway sealer is a sealer that’s slightly thinner than brush-on sealer, and it’s applied through the use of a sprayer. This is one of the easiest forms to use for a DIY purpose. Sprayable driveway sealers tend to give a thicker coat of sealant, despite the fact that they are sprayed on.
Which Is Easier To Use, Brush-On Or Sprayable Driveway Sealer?
In terms of ease of use, sprayable driveway sealer is going to be the clear winner here. Most people who are not professionals will still be able to get a clean, even coating with sprayable sealer. On the other hand, brush-on sealers take longer to apply and also require a certain level of skill that has to be learned.
Which Driveway Sealer Is Faster To Apply?
Without a doubt, sprayable sealer is the faster treatment to apply. Since you won’t have to do a bunch of wiping with a squeegee, around 80 percent of the physical labor that you would have with traditional sealer won’t be required. As long as you can aim a sprayer, you should be good to go.
It’s also worth noting that sprays make it difficult to over-apply or under-apply sealers. This leads to less cleanup and repair times after your first spray-down.
Which Driveway Sealer Cures Faster?
Though there are many differences between brush-on and spray sealers, there are few differences in this department. Almost all sealers will need to have around 12 hours of drying time before they are totally cured. This, therefore, shouldn’t be a factor that you consider when you are trying to pick the right method for you.
Which Has Better Results, Brush-On Or Sprayable Driveway Sealer?
I want to point out that both brush-on and sprayable sealers have their own perks. They both can offer great results as long as they are applied correctly. However, there seems to be a better trend of results with sprayable sealers. It’s not uncommon for a DIY brush-on seal to look splotchy or patchy.
If you have a patchy-looking brush-on seal job, then you may have to redo your sealing application. This is why many people are starting to shy away from this type of sealer. Anecdotally speaking, there is some evidence to suggest that sprayable sealer lasts longer.
Which Is Cheaper, Brush-On Or Sprayable Driveway Sealer?
Believe it or not, the amount that you pay will be fairly similar, though some companies might charge a premium rate for the extra labor that may be required. On average, sealing your driveway will cost around $110 to $120 regardless of whether you use brush-on or sprayable sealant.
However, many companies are fairly averse to doing brush-on treatments. This is why they may charge a premium price of $50 or more on top of the standard rate.
Can HOAs Require You To Use One Type Of Driveway Sealer Or Another?
HOAs can be persnickety, but they’re generally not going to tell you how to seal your driveway. While it is potentially possible that they would do this, the truth is that they usually won’t. Much like with most other types of issues brought forth by HOAs, you can always ask the organization before you hire someone.
Which Type Of Driveway Sealing Service Is More Common?
If you really want to, you can find driveway sealing companies that do both types of sealing. Sometimes, they even offer a manual and spray combination. However, the numbers are pretty clear here. Sprayed-on driveway seals are far more common than hand-painted seals.
It’s easy to understand why, too. Using spray sealer reduces the workload for professional crews and takes less time. This leads to more jobs being done per day, and higher profit margins. Financially speaking, it makes more sense for companies to emphasize their use of spray seals.
Can Anyone Do Paint-On Driveway Sealings?
Technically, anyone can. It doesn’t mean they should, though. Most companies that try to sell paint-on or brush-on driveway sealing do so because they don’t have the equipment necessary to do sprayable seals. Many sealing companies that do “sand brush-on sealings” also happen to be starting out in the field.
Though there is nothing wrong with a skillfully-applied layer of brushed sealant, the truth is that a lot of companies that are new might not have the skills required for a clean, even coating. As a result, you might want to be a bit leery of purchasing brush-on sealings.
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Related Questions
Can too much driveway sealer cause problems for your driveway?
Like with all other parts of home improvement, there’s always going to be “too much of a good thing.” Excess driveway sealer can actually lead to cracks and faster breakage. This is particularly true in parts of the country where temperatures exceed 90 degrees on a regular basis.
Is sealing your driveway really worth it?
It can be, but you have to make sure that you get a high-quality job on it. Sealant is there to protect your asphalt from water damage and debris. Studies show that properly applied sealant will help extend the lifespan of your asphalt and reduce the look of scuffs or oil stains. Moreover, some types of sealants will actually give your home’s driveway a cleaner, more polished look.
Is it cheaper to seal your own driveway?
If you want to seal your own driveway, then you might be able to save a serious chunk of change. Buying up the necessary supplies will cost anywhere from $40 to $200, depending on the size of the driveway as well as the type of supplies you decide to use.Though you always have the option to do your own driveway sealing, we want to emphasize that this is a project that is often better done by professionals. Even so, most people will be able to do it fairly quickly if they take their time to learn how. This is especially true with spray seals, since they offer more control and ease than most others.
Which Is Better, Spray-On Or Brushed Driveway Sealing?
From what we can tell, spray-on driveway sealing is better for most people. It’s easier to do, faster, and also yields better results. No matter how you look at it, you can get the best results from calling someone to spray down your pavement. Or you know, you can also just rent a sprayer yourself.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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