ConcretesealingcostinAdelaide(2026)
Sealing a 60m2 Adelaide driveway runs $850 to $2,200. Penetrating sealers cost less per m2 than film-forming, last longer in SA UV, and do not yellow. Preparation drives most of the labour cost.
Sealing cost by surface type
| Surface | Sealer type | Cost per m2 | 60m2 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain driveway | Penetrating silane | $14-$22 | $850-$1,300 |
| Plain driveway | Film-forming acrylic | $18-$28 | $1,100-$1,700 |
| Exposed aggregate | Penetrating silane | $16-$25 | $950-$1,500 |
| Stamped concrete | Film-forming (sheen) | $22-$37 | $1,300-$2,200 |
Includes surface preparation (acid wash and pressure clean). Heavily contaminated or previously-sealed surfaces add $2 to $5 per m2 for mechanical preparation. 2026 Adelaide rates.
Penetrating vs film-forming: the SA UV question
South Australia receives some of the highest UV index days in Australia. Film-forming sealers - acrylics, polyurethanes, and solvent-based coatings - degrade under sustained UV exposure. On external concrete in direct Adelaide summer sun, film-forming sealers yellow, chalk, and peel within 2 to 4 years on surfaces with no overhead shelter.
Penetrating sealers (silane, siloxane, or combined silane-siloxane) work below the surface. They do not form a film, do not peel, do not yellow, and last 5 to 10 years on external surfaces. The only trade-off is they do not produce a wet-look sheen. For decorative concrete where the sheen is part of the aesthetic, film-forming is still the correct choice, but the re-seal cycle must be factored into the budget.
The re-seal schedule for standard Adelaide conditions: penetrating silane on a plain or exposed aggregate driveway at 7 to 10 years; film-forming acrylic on a stamped driveway at 2 to 3 years; penetrating sealer on a pool surround at 3 to 5 years.
Related guides and service pages
Concrete sealing service - sealer types, preparation, and application process.
Exposed aggregate cost - sealing as a mandatory line item on aggregate work.
Decorative concrete cost - re-seal cycle compared across all finishes.