There is a lot of information out there on driveway sealing and we encourage all people to do their research on products and the people who use them. Here is a list of products that are commonly used in residential driveway sealing and why our Acrylic Polymer sealer is superior.

Acrylic Polymer:

This is a rubberized asphalt sealer that produces a membrane over the surface of your asphalt. Applied through a water-based medium, once proper curing and evaporation have occurred the remaining membrane will give you 2-4 years of protection.

Coal-Tar and Poly-Tar:

The Canadian government says “choose driveway sealants that don’t contain coal tar.”
Cleverly marketed as “Airport Grade.” This product is made from refined coal, coke brick, and petroleum base products. The petroleum medium requires extended dry times, leaving a hard top surface that gives you 1-3 years of protection. Poly-Tar is coal-tar containing a sand mixture that allows for a gritty surface.

Oil/liquid asphalt:

These types of sealers are designed with different petroleum asphalt binders and crude oil; most including a chemical commonly known as Gilsonite. Such products do not seal a driveway but aim to rejuvenate it; continually exposing it to UV damage. Gilsonite based sealers require the use of solvents (eg. paint thinner) to dissolve it in the petroleum mixture. Ironically, these solvents break down asphalt and require yearly application. Thick applications of these products are common and show distinct wear patterns.