The Best Sealer For Your Pavers

A Closer Look at Portland-Limestone Cement
and the Questions It Raises

In the race toward reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable future, the construction industry has placed significant emphasis on material innovation. One of the most talked-about shifts in recent years is the rise of 1L concrete, also known as Type 1L Portland-limestone cement (PLC). While its environmental intentions are clear, the execution and field performance of this material have sparked deep concerns among contractors, finishers, and construction professionals across the country.

What Is 1L Concrete?

1L concrete is a blended cement product made by intergrinding Portland cement clinker with up to 15% finely ground limestone. It falls under ASTM C595 and was promoted as a more sustainable option than traditional Type I or Type II cement, with a claimed reduction in embodied carbon of about 10%.
This transition is part of a broader movement toward lowering the construction industry’s carbon footprint. However, for many professionals working in the field every day, the reality of 1L’s performance has not aligned with its promise.

Why the Push—And Why the Pushback?

Advocates of 1L cement cite decades of successful use in Europe and a growing need for climate-conscious practices. Major producers in the U.S. began shifting almost entirely to Type 1L in 2022 and 2023, often with little consultation or consideration for the practical realities faced by contractors and specialty finishers.
This sudden change, often framed as a “drop-in replacement,” has led to a number of serious challenges:
Surface Defects & Finish Failures
Many contractors have reported inconsistent finish quality, scaling, dusting, and difficulty achieving color uniformity in decorative and exposed applications. In some cases, these issues have led to litigation over failed installations.

Lack of Field Testing & Support

Although some densifiers and admixtures are being promoted as compatible with 1L, most have not undergone sufficient independent testing to ensure reliable long-term performance. Contractors are left to troubleshoot on their own, often at their own expense.

Distrust from the Field

For many in the construction world, especially those working on architectural concrete, decorative finishes, or high-performance surfaces, the lack of transparency and technical support has created a deep sense of frustration and mistrust.

What Industry Experts Are Saying

While many material producers remain committed to 1L cement, an increasing number of contractors, specifiers, and consultants are raising red flags. Some are now avoiding 1L altogether in high-exposure projects or are specifying additional treatments, sealers, or surface hardeners to compensate for performance issues.
Yet even these remedies come with asterisks: most haven’t been thoroughly tested alongside 1L, and results vary based on climate, substrate, and finishing practices. While some contractors are beginning to find combinations that work, there is no universally endorsed solution at this time.

Proceeding with Caution

There’s no question that sustainability is an urgent priority—but true sustainability must also account for durability, performance, and constructability. When cement fails in the field, the environmental impact of replacement materials and labor far outweighs any initial carbon savings.
As the industry continues to explore lower-carbon alternatives, many experts are calling for a more thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive approach—one that includes rigorous testing, real-world data, and support for the contractors on the front lines of implementation.

The Bottom Line

1L concrete may represent a step toward sustainability, but for now, it’s a step that should be taken with full awareness of its limitations. The current landscape demands caution, continued evaluation, and an honest dialogue between producers and practitioners.
Until field data improves and manufacturers take stronger accountability for performance, the use of 1L cement should be considered on a case-by-case basis, especially in projects where finish quality, color uniformity, or long-term durability are critical.

Tru-Alpha Paver Seal is a multi-surface sealer for pavers, natural stone, brick, and concrete.  It is a concentrated water-based Aliphatic Urethane that penetrates and seals. It allows for cleaning and sealing to all be done in a single day, unlike solvent-based sealers. This is the best paver sealer that inhibits weed, algae, and mold growth as well as stabilizes the sand in the joints between the pavers. No expensive polymeric sand is necessary. To apply this sealer for your pavers, you will mix part A and part B then dilute 1:1 with water. This dilution allows the product to be sprayed through a pump-up sprayer and will penetrate into the paver. Pour the diluted product into a multi-purpose pump-up sprayer and back roll with a ⅜” roller nap to help the product achieve a consistent finish. Two coats is recommended as the first coat penetrates, while the second builds solids on the surface. After the first coat, you will see some enhanced color and that may be all you need. However, two coats are recommended for porous stones, bricks, or pavers and will increase color enhancement, chemical and stain resistance, and longevity. Once the first coat is dry, you may apply the second coat of sealer. 

This sealer comes in 1.25-gallon concentrates(yields 2.5 gallons of product, 1,000 sqft depending on porosity) and 5-gallon concentrates(yields 10 gallons of product, 4,000 sqft). Available in Satin and Natural sheens.

What Should You Look For When Choosing A Sealer For Your Pavers

The Wrong Sealer

Have you ever passed a home with a paver driveway and noticed some of the pavers have a white haze or cloud on their surface? Many of the sealers sold by large box stores are not “breathable”. They are formulated to keep water and moisture from moving down into the paver from the top side but do not allow moisture to migrate from inside the paver outwards. In turn, this causes moisture to build up just beneath the Concrete Restorationsealer leading to a white haze or cloudy appearance, and possibly delamination (sealer failure). Fixing this issue can be costly so why not use a sealer that has been designed to protect your pavers AND not create additional issues due to our moist climate.

 

White Haze Correction

The best way to correct moisture trapped under the sealer of your pavers is to chemically strip the sealer that is trapping the moisture. It is important to choose a stripper that will not damage the paver. The option we recommend is Fast Strip.  This stripper is non-flammable, sprayable, and is free from Methylene Chloride. Fast Strip will emulsify most paver sealers, including acrylics, water-based epoxies, and enamels. Repeat the application until everything is removed.  Follow up with pressure washing, resanding if needed, and then choose the perfect sealer for your pavers. Select Surface Solutions reccomends you apply Tru-Alpha Paver Seal

Thank you for reading this article by Select Surface Solutions. We are a family-owned and operated supplier that specializes in decorative concrete, coatings, tooling, and technical support. We are located in Orlando, Florida and we carry well-known brands like Ameripolish, Surecrete, TK Products, Coatings Solutions, Trinic, Midwest Rake, Marshalltown, Wooster, and many more. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram @selectsurfacesolutions !

Select Surface Solutions
207 N Goldenrod Road, Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32807
407-730-3103
info@selectsurfacesoln.com

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