Sealing, Spraycrete or Epoxy: Which Coating Does Your Brisbane Concrete Need?
Most Brisbane property owners come to us with the same underlying question, even if they don't phrase it this way: what's actually the right way to protect this concrete? A worn driveway, a stained pool surround, a garage floor that's seen a decade of oil and tyre marks - the answer isn't the same for all of them, and picking the wrong coating means paying twice.
There are three main coating families available for concrete surfaces in South-East Queensland: clear or coloured sealing, spraycrete (also called covercrete) resurfacing, and epoxy flooring. Each does a genuinely different job at a genuinely different price point, and none of them is universally better - they solve different problems. This guide compares them honestly, with indicative pricing from our published rates, so you know which conversation to have before you request a quote.
Clear & Coloured Concrete Sealing
Concrete sealing is the right call when your existing concrete is structurally sound and you simply want to protect it, not disguise it. Penetrating sealers soak into the surface and provide invisible protection against water, oil and UV without changing how the concrete looks. Topical sealers sit on top as a film, which can enhance colour and add a satin or gloss finish but requires more frequent renewal.
Sealing is honest about what it won't do: it doesn't fix cracks, resurface damaged areas, or hide staining that's already set in. If your slab looks tired because it's dirty or unprotected, sealing brings it back. If it looks tired because it's cracked, pitted or badly stained, sealing will protect that damage in place, not cover it.
Both penetrating and topical sealers run $25-30 per square metre installed. Penetrating sealers typically last 5-10 years before needing renewal; topical sealers need resealing every 3-5 years.
Spraycrete (Covercrete) Resurfacing
Spraycrete resurfacing - sometimes called covercrete - sprays a coloured, textured cement-polymer coating directly over existing concrete. It's the option for concrete that's cracked, stained, pitted or simply dated, because it doesn't rely on the condition of what's underneath the way sealing does. You get a completely new surface, in a wide range of colours and patterns including stencilled finishes, without demolishing and repouring.
This is where the cost comparison against replacement gets interesting. Full driveway resurfacing or replacement typically starts around $150 per square metre once demolition and disposal are factored in, and involves weeks of disruption. Spraycrete resurfacing lands between $50 and $100 per square metre including sealing, and most driveways are back in use within days.
Every spraycrete job we complete is backed by a 5-year written workmanship warranty, and a resealed surface has a working life of 20-plus years. For a closer look at that cost gap, including a worked driveway example, see our spraycrete vs plain concrete resurfacing cost breakdown.
Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring is a different category again. It's a two-part resin system that chemically bonds to prepared concrete, creating an extremely hard, chemical- and impact-resistant surface. It's the standard choice for garages, workshops, and commercial or warehouse floors where the surface needs to handle vehicle traffic, dropped tools, and chemical spills without wearing through.
Epoxy is an internal or covered-area product - it isn't designed or used for driveways, paths or pool surrounds exposed to direct sun and rain. Where it is used, it's the most durable option on this list: 10-20 years of service life, and it typically costs $75-85 per square metre depending on preparation and finish.
Indicative Pricing at a Glance
These are the ranges we work to for a straightforward residential job, before an on-site assessment. Actual pricing depends on surface condition, access and preparation required. Full concrete replacement, for comparison, starts from around $150 per square metre plus demolition and disposal of the old slab.
As a worked example, a typical 60m² driveway resurfaced in spraycrete runs around $4,500 including preparation and sealing - a fraction of what replacing the same driveway would cost, for a result that lasts just as long when properly maintained.
Which Option Wins for Your Project?
Driveway or path that's faded but sound
Sealing. There's no reason to spend more on resurfacing if the concrete underneath is in good shape.
Driveway, patio or path with cracks, stains or a dated colour
Spraycrete resurfacing. Sealing won't hide what's already there; spraycrete gives you a genuinely new surface for well under replacement cost.
Pool deck or surrounds
Usually spraycrete, textured for slip resistance and available in lighter colours that stay cooler underfoot than plain concrete.
Garage floor, workshop or warehouse
Epoxy flooring. Nothing else on this list matches its resistance to oil, chemicals and heavy point loads in a covered space.
Commercial or high-traffic outdoor areas
It depends on exposure. Covered loading areas and internal floors suit epoxy, while exposed car parks and walkways are better served by sealing or spraycrete.
Why Brisbane's Climate Changes the Calculation
None of these products perform the same way in Brisbane as they would in a milder climate. Intense UV exposure fades unprotected colour and breaks down cement paste at the surface, summer storms drive moisture into anything that isn't sealed, and daily temperature swings put concrete surfaces under constant expansion and contraction stress. That's why product selection and proper surface preparation matter more here than in most parts of the country - the wrong sealer or a rushed epoxy cure will fail faster under our conditions than it would elsewhere.
We work across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, and we recommend products and application methods based on the specific exposure of your site, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whichever coating suits your property, the contractor applying it matters as much as the product itself. CoatPro is a QBCC-licensed contractor and a member of Master Builders Queensland, and we carry over $20 million in public liability insurance. Across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast we've now coated more than 120,000 square metres of concrete, which means we've generally seen what South-East Queensland's climate does to a given surface before we get to yours.
Getting the Right Advice for Your Property
The honest answer for most properties only becomes clear after someone looks at the concrete in person - the condition of the existing surface decides between sealing and resurfacing more than anything else. We assess each site on its condition, exposure and how it's used, then recommend the option that actually solves the problem, not the most expensive one that fits.
Ready to find out which coating is right for your property? Get a free estimate or call Christian on 07 4428 2811 to talk through your options.
- An honest recommendation between sealing, resurfacing and epoxy based on your concrete's actual condition
- Indicative pricing before we're on site, and a detailed written quote after
- Products matched to Brisbane, Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast exposure conditions
- A 5-year written workmanship warranty on resurfacing work
- Extensive Queensland experience across all regions and applications
- Customised coating recommendations for Queensland's challenging climate
- Proven track record with thousands of satisfied customers
- Comprehensive warranties and ongoing support
- Licensed, insured, and committed to excellence
FAQs
Common questions about choosing between sealing, spraycrete and epoxy in South-East Queensland.
Clear or coloured sealing is the cheapest option at roughly $25-30 per square metre, but it only works on concrete that's already in good structural condition. Spraycrete resurfacing costs more ($50-100 per square metre) because it adds a new textured layer, which also means it can hide cracks and stains that sealing can't.
You can, but the sealer will protect the damage in place rather than hide it - cracks, stains and colour variation will still be visible underneath. If your slab has cosmetic damage you want gone, spraycrete resurfacing covers it with a new textured, coloured finish instead.
It's most common in garages, workshops and commercial or warehouse floors because of its chemical resistance and durability, but it's strictly an internal or covered-area product. It isn't used on driveways, pool surrounds or other surfaces exposed to direct weather.
Penetrating sealers typically last 5-10 years and topical sealers 3-5 years before resealing. A spraycrete surface has a working life of 20-plus years when resealed every three to five years. Epoxy flooring lasts 10-20 years depending on traffic and conditions.
Get Your Free Quote Today
Transform your concrete surfaces with our expert sealing and finishing services. Contact us now to discuss your project and receive a personalised quote. We service all areas throughout South-East Queensland.
- Give Us A Call for immediate consultation
- Email us with your property details and photos
- Use our estimate calculator
- Book online for convenient assessment scheduling
