Sealing or impregnation -
Similarities and differences
Both sealing and impregnation are surface treatments that can be applied to a wide variety of building elements, cars, glass & ceramics, stone & concrete, but also to textiles such as clothing, to give them greater resistance to weathering, dirt or moisture. Although in practical application the transitions between impregnation and sealing are fluid, there are some basic conceptual distinctions.
Table of Contents
The difference between sealing and impregnating?
A sealant forms a kind of protective film on the surface and thus prevents moisture from escaping from the inside of the sealed object to the outside.
When a surface is impregnated, the impregnating substance enters the base material so that it triggers a reaction with the base material: this reaction provides a water-repellent effect and means that any subsequent build-up of dirt on the surface can be removed more easily. With impregnation, however, the base material remains breathable and open to diffusion.
Both processes have in common the prerequisite of an absorbent and receptive surface into which the impregnating or sealing material can penetrate.
Examples of sealing products
Example 1: Permanent Protector 7650 PRO EASY ON – 9H ceramic sealant
This permanent surface protection with our article number 8050-7650 is particularly effective against water, dirt and weathering. The high-end sealant is also extremely durable and easy to apply.
Example 2: Premium sealant for glass and ceramics with extreme durability
Our premium sealant for glass & ceramics is not only suitable for sealing glass buildings, but is also ideal for use in sanitary facilities.
Examples of impregnation
Example 1: Paving stone sealing (or paving stone impregnation) in premium quality
Especially for paving stones that are constantly exposed to the weather, effective surface protection is important, which should also guarantee a breathable surface. Our paving stone sealer in premium quality with article number 3006-7620 achieves a long-lasting deep effect with a penetration depth of up to 25 mm (depending on the absorbency of the treated stone) thanks to its breathability.
Example 2: Dura Tex – Premium textile sealant with extreme water repellency
Our Dura Tex – Premium Textile Sealer is characterized by its extreme water repellency, while the material remains breathable. It can be used on surfaces such as clothing, outdoor fabrics, home textiles (upholstery, furniture, carpets), suede / leather, paper and cardboard.
Examples of sealing products
Example 1: Permanent Protector 7650 PRO EASY ON – 9H ceramic sealant
This permanent surface protection with our article number 8050-7650 is particularly effective against water, dirt and weathering. The high-end sealant is also extremely durable and easy to apply.
Example 2: Premium sealant for glass and ceramics with extreme durability
Our premium sealant for glass & ceramics is not only suitable for sealing glass buildings, but is also ideal for use in sanitary facilities.
Examples of impregnation
Example 1: Paving stone sealing (or paving stone impregnation) in premium quality
Especially for paving stones that are constantly exposed to the weather, effective surface protection is important, which should also guarantee a breathable surface. Our paving stone sealer in premium quality with article number 3006-7620 achieves a long-lasting deep effect with a penetration depth of up to 25 mm (depending on the absorbency of the treated stone) thanks to its breathability.
Example 2: Dura Tex – Premium textile sealant with extreme water repellency
Our Dura Tex – Premium Textile Sealer is characterized by its extreme water repellency, while the material remains breathable. It can be used on surfaces such as clothing, outdoor fabrics, home textiles (upholstery, furniture, carpets), suede / leather, paper and cardboard.
The thorough pre-cleaning as the best preparation
With any type of surface treatment, whether it is impregnation or sealing, the subsequent success and surface quality depends on thorough pre-cleaning of the surface to be treated.
You should therefore pre-clean the surface to be treated with our fully biodegradable cleaning concentrate BIOSATIVA, without any harmful effects on the climate. After application, the treated surface should dry for at least 24 hours and be clean for subsequent sealing or impregnation. Depending on the surface, it should be additionally disinfected. When applied correctly, a sealant or impregnation will last for several years.
The use of the terms “sealing” and “impregnation” is (up to this point) synonymous. Wouldn’t it make sense to introduce the term impregnation in this section for customers, even though, strictly speaking, it’s also a sealant?
Liquid glass coating details
Liquid glass consists of a mixture of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and alcohol or water. Thanks to a special processing method, this liquid glass is already in its liquid aggregate state at room temperature. Therefore, this liquid glass, which consists of glass molecules, can also be optimally used as a surface coating by applying nanotechnology. After the liquid glass is applied to the surface to be treated, the liquid portion evaporates and pure glass is produced.
Frequently asked questions
Impregnation penetrates the surface and protects it from the inside, while sealing forms a protective layer on the surface.
A good sealant should provide long-lasting protection, improve the appearance of the surface and make cleaning easier.
Glazed tiles already have a protective layer, whereas unglazed tiles require more protection through impregnation or sealing.
A clean and dry surface enables better adhesion of the impregnation or sealant and a more effective result. For this reason, deep pre-cleaning and thorough drying are essential
If fabrics, objects, textiles or even building materials are frequently or constantly exposed to the weather, it is advisable to protect them effectively against moisture penetration. Appropriate impregnation not only gives the treated surfaces a water-repellent effect, but also makes it easier and gentler to remove dirt or grime from the impregnated surface.
If wood, as a breathable material, is used outdoors as a building material, it is exposed to wind and weather on a daily basis and therefore requires a special protective coating. Suitable impregnation not only significantly extends the life of the wood, but also permanently improves its visual impression.
The decisive factor is how often and how long a textile product is used and how often it is thus exposed to wind and weather. Tents, for example, are particularly vulnerable in this respect and therefore require careful care, especially in winter, and from time to time a refreshing impregnation. If you waterproof your tent, you will be able to withstand heavy rain events during your trip.
Tiles should be impregnated to protect them from stains and liquid absorption. This can prevent limescale and mold and leads to longer cleaning cycles. This saves you money and time
Impregnation of natural stone, for example, provides optimum protection against external influences and gives the surface additional resistance over a longer period of time. For example, terraces made of stone can be perfectly impregnated: Here the advantage is obvious, because the terrace floor of different types of natural stone is exposed to weather conditions, as well as numerous liquids. With the right impregnation, the stone remains protected, clean and more valuable. In addition to the impregnation of natural stone, concrete can of course also be impregnated if used correctly.
Conclusion
From an ecological point of view, it is not only advisable but also sustainable to provide stone surfaces or surfaces in general of objects that are constantly exposed to the weather with a suitable surface protection. This not only gives the treated surfaces a more valuable appearance, but also increases the service life of the respective items that have undergone surface treatment. In particular, the still new coating technology of liquid glass sealing offers a very broad field of application with numerous innovative techniques.
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Disclaimer:
All information in this article has been compiled with the utmost care and to the best of our knowledge and belief. We recommend that the application of the described sealants be carried out exclusively by specialist companies and using the appropriate protective clothing. It is also advisable to test the sealant on an inconspicuous area first to ensure that the result meets expectations and the surface is not damaged.