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Best Tile Sealer Reviews For 2021

Tile Sealant Buyer’s Guide For All Natural Tiles

Its Time To Find The Best Tile Sealer For You

If you are thinking of using any form of natural stone tile in your home or tiling project then a quality tile sealer should be the first thing on your mind. 

To protect the beautiful finish during installation and to maintain the stone tiles look for years to come, you need the best tile sealer available to protect your investment against everyday living.

This review of the best tile sealers for 2021 is here to help you select the right sealer for your tile choice and also highlight which kind of finish you can choose from. (Natural to glossy).

Lastly, I will point you toward the best prices for every tile sealer on review. 

If you are looking for the best grout sealers – click here

Click Here to Jump to the Best Tile Sealers Information Table.

Bathroom with sealed tiles.

 

This best tile sealer guide will aim to clarify the confusion involved with tile sealants and explain which product will work best for your chosen material. From slate, travertine, marble and any other stone tile, there is a tile sealer for it. 

 Any mumbo-jumbo concerning penetrating tile sealers, oil or water-based tile sealants and any related terms will be clarified as well.

Let’s go seal some tile!

The Best Tile Sealers Information Table

NameTypeRatingUsePrice

Aqua-X Stone Sealer

Penetrating5All forms of natural stone tiles and unglazed tiles.Check Price

Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold

Penetrating4.5Ideal for porous surfaces like sanded grout and travertine etcCheck Price

Miracle Sealants - Seal & Enhance

Non-Penetrating4Perfect for natural stone. Enhance the color of stone and leave shine.Check Price

Stonetech Bulletproof

Penetrating4Ideal for the best stain protection for marble, granite and slate.Check Price
The Best tile sealers for sealing tiles.

Professional Tiler’s Pick ✓

This Is An All Round Fantastic Tile Sealer. Suitable For ALL Natural Tiles, Indoors & Out. Leaves A Natural Sealed Look.

1.  The Best Tile Sealer : Aqua-X – Stone & Clay Brick Sealer 

The best tile sealer for all types of natural and manufactured tiles is Aqua-X Stone Sealer by Black Diamond Coatings.

It is a low odor, water-based, penetrating tile sealer suitable for sealing:

• All Types of Natural Stone Tile – sandstone, slate, quartz, marble, limestone, granite, bluestone / basalt)

• Manufactured Tiles – unpolished porcelain tiles, clay pavers, polished & unpolished concrete, terrazzo, encaustic tiles, terracotta.

It is safe to use for both exterior and interior tiles and has the best properties overall for every day and most common uses. Low Odor and VOC!

Carl Anders from Tilersplace.com
Hi there and welcome to Tilersplace.com

My name is Carl Anders and I have been tiling professionally for over 20 years in both the USA and England.

In that time I have sealed my fair share of grout, natural stone, cement tiles and have learned a thing or two about tile sealers in that time.

 

Today, I want to pass on my experience with tile sealers onto you. Helping  you can make the right and proper decision when selecting a sealant for your  next tiling project.

 

Before You Buy The Best Tile Sealer

When it comes to selecting a tile sealer for any of your tiles, it is very important to remember what kind of result you are expecting from your tile sealer and where those tiles will go.

Every tile sealer is made for a different purpose and will affect the end result.

For example, if you have a natural stone in the shower, you will require the best tile sealer for showers, one that can withstand standing water. Also, have a think about the finish.

Do you want a natural look or an enhanced “wet look” that makes the tile darker, shiny and overall looking like it’s been drenched in water. A natural tile like travertine marble will benefit greatly from a wet look tile sealer whilst something like terracotta would be better suited to a natural look.

Taking into account that there is no “best tile sealer” for every single use case, I have selected a range of tile sealers that best suit specific situations. All you need to do is find the one that suits your use and you are good to go.

If you are unsure about which tile sealer will work best for your application, I have provided a tile sealer comparison section below.

Below you will also find the best 3 overall tile sealers that can be applied for most situations and expected results.

Tile Sealer Comparison

Tile sealers can create two distinct looks on your unsealed tiles and both finishes come with their pro’s and con’s. This section will aim to help you decide on which tile sealer is right for you and your purpose.

 Take a look at the image and see the differences between: 

Unsealed (no sealer at all – condition you get the tile)

Natural Look Tile Sealer

Wet Look Tile Sealer

Tile Sealer Comparison Table

As you can see, the differences between the unsealed and natural look tile sealer are virtually nil – hence the name “natural look tile sealer”. It dosen’t effect the look of the tile at all, however it does penetrate deep into the tile and form of protective barrier over it. 

The wet look tile sealer creates a very striking effect on natural tiles, as you can see in this photo.

As the name suggests, it makes the tile look wet and it brings out the natural beauty of the tile. An added gloss or shiny effect is also added to the tile that further enhances the overall effect. 

wet look tile sealer

Tile Sealer Buying Guide

So you’ve picked out your natural stone tiles but are stuck as to which tile sealer is the right choice for your application. This section will highlight the characteristics of the two main types of tile sealer and help you choose the right one.

Understanding the differences is very important as it will help you avoid making a costly mistake.

Tile Sealer Rule Of Thumb 

Use A Wet Look Tile Sealer On Wall Tiles 

Use A Natural Look Tile Sealer On Floor Tiles 

That’s an easy rule of thumb that I go by and it helps educate my clients when they ask which tile sealer I am going to use on their tiles. If you go by this rule of thumb, then you’ll be able to choose the right tile sealer every time. 

Keep reading if you want to understand the reasoning behind this, alternatively, skip ahead and read my recommendations in the best tile sealer section

Wet Look Tile Sealer

A wet look tile sealer is solvent based solution that forms a coating over the top of tiles. It’s consistency is similar to that of a wood varnish and produces a sharp odor. 

Most wet look tile sealers create a moisture barrier that prevents the tiles from breathing, meaning that if water seeps in from beneath the tile (like in outdoor applications) an ugly white haze will appear on the tile. This is because the water has seeped to the top of the tile but is not allowed to escape.

This is nearly impossible to remove – believe me, I’ve tried.

You can avoid this mostly by sealing all sides of the tile before setting them but I’ve found it safer not to use it at all in outdoor floor applications. 

Also, due to the tile sealer producing a visible layer on top of the tile, it can wear off due to floor traffic. This means areas with heavier traffic will begin to look matte and dull over time because the sealer has worn off. This is why I only use wet look sealers on wall applications where the sealer will not be worn off.

Backsplashes and feature tiles really benefit from wet look tile sealers and that’s what I use them on.

Natural Look Tile Sealer

This is the safest option and most protective. A natural tile sealer is more water based and has little to no odors, making it safer to use for sensitive people. 

The natural look tile sealer penetrate deep into the pore of the tiles and also protects the surface of the tile from staining and mildew growing on the tile. It’s also ideal as a pre-sealer before tiling as it makes cleaning adhesive and grout smears super easy. 

Whilst the overall look of a natural look tile sealer may be disappointing to some, the advantages provided really outweigh that.

Since the tile sealer is water-based, you also get more coverage from one bottle – making it more cost effective. 

Pro Tile Sealer’s Choice
The Best Tile Sealer

Best Overall Choice In Tile Sealants

This tile sealer is ideal for a natural look without any added gloss/sheen and color change in your tiles.

1. Overall Best Tile Sealer:

Aqua-x – Stone Sealer

Black Diamond Coatings have created a great natural tile sealer that can also be used on clay bricks and is a great encaustic tile sealer.

It is a water based penetrating sealer that provides many years of protection and a natural finish. That means it will not affect the natural finish of your expensive tiles. No sheen, gloss or shine!

One aspect that really stands out with this sealer is it’s very high yield – up to 1000 sq/f per gallon per coat. That is outstanding and really makes this a cost effective solution for sealing large areas. 

Application is very easy with either a sprayer or roller and there is no irritating odors. It’s one gentlest smelling tile sealers I have ever used.  

Pros
• Very high yield

• Natural look with no extra sheen

 

• No color change in grout or darker shades

• Suitable for all types of Natural Tile + Grout

• Moisture Barrier helps future cleaning of any stains

• Extremely low odor 

• Suitable for Exterior/Interior Surfaces

Cons
 

• Requires multiple coats for best results

Best Sealer For Damp Areas

This tile sealer is great for porous tiles like travertine, all forms of granite+marble and is a great tile sealer for Cantera/Adoquin.  

2. Best Damp Area Tile Sealer:

Aqua Mix – Sealer’s Choice Gold

Aqua Mix has been proudly producing quality tiling solutions and problem solvers for over thirty years and I have been using their products for nearly as long.

The Sealer’s Choice Gold is my go-to tile sealer for most everyday jobs. It provides a natural, non-sheen look to natural stone and tiles that doesn’t affect the final finish of the surface.

It is an impregnating sealer also, making it suitable to seal and protect ALL natural stone from oil and water based stains making it ideal for all areas of the home, from food preparation area’s to bathrooms and shower floors. It also dries very rapidly and has low odor – thanks to its water-based property.

Pros
• Natural look with no extra sheen

• No color change in grout or darker shades

• Suitable for all types of Natural Tile + Grout

• Contains Microban® to combat mildew growth

• Penetrates dense, low porosity materials  

• Protect’s against all stains

• Suitable for Exterior/Interior Surfaces

Cons
• Higher Price Than Common Grout Sealers

• Requires multiple coats for best results

•  Will not prevent surface wear or etching from acids or caustic chemicals 

Best Tile Sealer To Color Enhance

This tile sealer is designed to bring out details in your chosen tile whilst also enhancing the color. It leaves the desired “wet-look” which makes it popular for travertine tiles.

3. Best Enhancing Tile Sealer:

 Miracle Sealants – Seal & Enhance Tile SEaler

If you are looking for the best tile sealer to enhance the look of your natural tiles and give it that wet look, then Miracle Sealants Seal & Enhance is for you. 

Contrary to all the other tile sealers in this guide, Seal & Enhance Sealer aims to bring out colors by adding a “wet-look” and sheen to them.

This tile sealer is solvent based which makes it a thicker and heavier sealant in comparison to water based solutions – allowing it to work magic on natural stone. It’s a great slate tile sealer and it really brings out its color.

This is my favorite to use as a pre-sealer as I know it will protect the precious natural stone from any grout and adhesive stains during installation. After grouting I follow it up with a supplementary coat to really bring out the color. 

511 Seal & Enrich is also rated for interior/exterior use and is freeze/thaw resistant.

Pros
• Heavy penetration and stain resistance

• Adds breath-taking beauty and depth to natural stone

• Long-lasting protection in all conditions

• Easily one of the better color enhancing sealers out there.

 

Cons
• Solvent-based = Very strong smell

• Can cause hazing if the surface is not fully dry.

• Darkens grout by a shade 

 

• Slower drying time – Longer wait between coats 

Best Tile Sealer For Stain Prevention

Stonetech Bulletproof is the tile sealer that tile setters go to when they need the best in stain prevention. It’s so good that most tilers won’t use anything else!

4. Best Stain Resistant Sealer:

 Stonetech – Bulletproof

Want the ultimate peace of mind that your expensive natural tiles will not suffer from staining in high traffic areas? 

Laticrete has created the ultimate in stain preventing tile sealers, one that is so good that many tile setters the world over swear by it. Imagine a tile sealer that can withstand every oil & water based stains, including tire marks!

Apart from extreme stain prevention, it is a natural look tile sealer that will not alter the look of your natural tiles. It leaves an almost invisible layer on your surface that beads up stains and stops liquids penetrating it.

Pros
• Suitable for high traffic areas

• Ideal for Countertops

• Excellent track record 

 

• Backed by tile setters everywhere 

Cons
• Higher Price Than Other Tile Sealers

•Won’t enhance the look of a surface.

 

Tile Sealer Question – When Do I Use A Tile Sealer?

A tile sealer works well in a bathroom.
 

 

 

Ideally, you want to use a tile sealer before any work is done with the tiles. That means sealing them with at least two coats before the tile setter begins installation. This helps prevent any staining during the installation process and helps prevent glue and grout entering the tiny pores of the tile.

After the tile has been set and grouting is completed, it’s good practice to apply a further coat on top of everything. Keep applying coats until the water beads up. 

The purpose of a tile sealer is to prevent any water and oil based contaminants from entering the porous natural tile and staining it.

On a standard porcelain tile, that job is taken care of by the glaze, or that beautiful shiny part on the surface of the tile that is the pattern.

Your natural tile, however, is not impervious to water, mold & mildew due to it being a natural product that hasn’t been kiln fired like a regular tile. This makes it full of tiny holes that absorb dirt, stains and the worst of them all – red wine!

All natural stones like granite, sandstone, marble, travertine, slate are susceptible to this. This means that if you are using these materials, it is best to get them sealed with a quality natural tile sealer before any work is done.

So to translate this into terms you want to hear:

If you are installing natural stone tiles or counters in your home, you require a quality sealant to prevent any oil and water based stains, easy cleaning and maintain the finish of your expensive stone.

To achieve a natural look: Use Aqua Mix Sealer’s Gold

To achieve an enhanced color, always wet look: Use Miracle Sealants Seal & Enhance

If you are wanting to maintain the look of your tiling installation, prevent mold & mildew build-up and make tile maintenance a breeze, then also apply the sealer over your tile.

 

Tile Sealer Question – What Is A Tile Sealer/Tile Sealant?

the best tile sealers on display
I have seen some pretty confusing explanations of what a tile sealer is on other tile sealer reviews so I will try to explain it simply.

A tile sealer is best described as a water or solvent based solution that is designed to create a protective layer between the surface of a tile and external dirt, stains and liquids.

This is achieved by using polymerized silicone resins and additional polymers that penetrate the porous surface of natural tiles and forms a barrier against external contaminants while still allowing the natural color and texture of the protected surface to show through.

The water or solvent that carries this resin is there for ease of use and to allows the tile sealer to penetrate  the surface and all of its numerous cores. With time, the carrying agent evaporates into the air and leaves only the resin behind.

“This is why multiple coats of a tile sealer are needed; because one coat of tile sealer is not enough to fully cover an area and create a thick enough layer that will endure living conditions and stains as the protective agent is diluted with the liquid based carrier.”

In Layman’s Terms:

A tile sealer is the best way to protect your tiles. It is a magical liquid that enters tile and protects it against everything. It goes on wet and dries up, leaving your tiles sealed.

 

How Do I Use A Tile Sealer/Tile Sealant?

To use a tile sealer you will require an applicator to apply the tile sealer and a clean surface to work on.

Depending on the scale of work you can either use a mini paint roller for sealing tiles or a sponge pad. A soft haired paint brush can also be used. I found the paint roller to be the best tile sealer applicator for most natural tiles.

The best grout sealer for color enhancing is 511 Seal+Enhance
Lastly, you will need a clean cotton rag or paper towel to wipe away any excess solution that doesn’t absorb into your tiles.
Before doing any work, be sure to check the tiles are completely dry and free of any dirt, debris and dust.

How To Apply Tile Sealer In 3 Quick Steps:

Step 1: Make sure to clean your tiles thoroughly before applying any tile sealer. You do not want to trap any contaminants underneath the surface of the sealant.

Step 2: Apply your chosen tile sealer that best fits your needs to the surface using your applicator of choice. Aim to go in one direction only to remove smudge marks and build-up of product. Try to cover 100% of the surface. There should be a thin layer sitting on the surface.

Step 3: Allow the tile sealant to sit on the tile for at least 5 minutes and then use a clean rag to buff away any excess left on the tiles. If you are sealing natural stone, you will likely need to apply a further coat of tile sealer before that time as it would have fully penetrated the surface. After the second coat, wait for 2 hours and test if water penetrates the surface. It should bead up and not soak into the tile. If it does, apply further coats until  desired result is achieved.

How Does A Tile Sealer Benefit Me?

Deciding to seal your tiles will only give you benefits with little to no drawbacks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Some benefits from sealing include:

• Best Stain Resistance

• Easier Maintenance

• Enhanced color (on natural tiles)

• Higher degree of Waterproofing

• More hygenic wet areas. 

 

Tile Sealer F.A.Q

“The only silly question is the one unasked” and so I want to answer all the most common questions asked about tile sealers and their use.

If your question is not answered, please leave a comment below! I’ll answer it to the best of my knowledge and your question might be featured in an updated version of this Tile Sealer Buyer’s Guide 🙂

Is tile sealer necessary?

Yes, tile sealer is necessary if you are using any unsealed encaustic tiles or natural tiles like travertine and marble.

A tile sealer will protect the delicate finish of the natural stone tile during installation and prevent any unfixable stains from affecting the tile.

It will also protect the tiles from everyday staining and day to day living.

All your questions about grout sealer answered!

Can I Grout Natural Stone With Epoxy Grout? Will The Grout/Tile Sealer Protect It?

Generally, the answer is no. All natural stone tiles are created/treated differently and have various degrees of porosity. Highly porous stone can absorb the epoxy grout resin through the edges of the stone tile, leaving a picture frame effect where the outer edges are darker. This color change is irremediable and will stay there for the life of the tile. If you want to use epoxy grout on natural stone, its best that you apply a quality tile sealer to all sides of the tile before installation and test it first before proceeding. Without prior testing, you may end up with a multi-thousand dollar tile installation that is ruined forever.

Question: How do you seal porcelain tiles?

Porcelain tiles do not require sealing as they come with a factory glaze that is 99.9% waterproof and do not allow water or anything to penetrate it. In terms of no water absorption, porcelain tiles are the best.

There are, however, some forms of unsealed porcelain tiles that could benefit from a light coat of a tile sealer. These tiles are very rare and you’ll be warned of this from the tile seller upon purchase. Its best to ask the salesperson while buying your tiles if you are unsure.

 Best Tile Sealer Conclusion

This best tile sealer buyer’s guide took a look at the best sealers for all types of natural tile and took a look into what a tile sealer is and why you need to use one.

Overall, the Aqua-X natural tile sealer was the best all-round sealer as it offers a universal scope of applications and delivers a professional result.

It is a very versatile stone sealer that is very easy to work with and has no offending odors that can irritate some people. Knowing I can safely use a tile sealer in a client’s home is a big bonus for me.

It is also very competitively priced for a quality product which really makes a difference in larger jobs where I require a lot of it. Lastly, it is rated for commercial work as well meaning it can withstand high traffic areas which just seals the deal for me. You can read my stand-alone review of Aqua-X 33 Stone Sealer here.