If you have patio pavers installed in your outdoor space, you’re familiar with the character they bring to the home. When pavers are first laid, they look colorful, vibrant and new. Yet over time, weeds can collect in between the pavers, stains can blemish the surface and the stone or brick becomes worn and faded. Fortunately, having your patio pavers sealed is the most effective way to care for your patio and keep it looking like new for longer.

Paver sealant is used for many reasons, but the ultimate goal is to protect the interlocking pavers from general wear and tear. When a sealant is used, it prevents seeds from getting into the mortar, germinating and growing weeds. It also protects the pavers from having stains seep into the surface and therefore makes them easier to clean. A sealant can be applied at any time, with the exception of new pavers that have just been installed. In this case, you will have to wait 60 days after installation so that the paving stones have time to settle.

When having paving stones sealed, most companies will offer several types of sealants, with not one being recommended over the other. Instead, it’s based on personal preference and the look you want to achieve. Examples of paver sealants include high gloss, low gloss, low sheen, matte and flat. The gloss sealants will leave the interlocking pavers with a shiny wet look while the matte and flat sealants leave a rugged and natural appearance.