ᐅ How to Care for and Seal Exposed Concrete Walls Indoors?

Hello,

In our new build, we have a large exposed concrete wall. The masons have finished, and now the question is how to seal and treat the exposed concrete. Is there a special product for this, or is clear lacquer used? The wall should not release dust when touched and, of course, should look good for as long as possible. The wall should also not be glossy (like clear lacquer). Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards,
Matthias

Exposed concrete is usually treated with a water repellent. There are several manufacturers offering products for this purpose. This prevents the concrete from crumbling and provides some protection.
Of course, you can also fully seal it.
For example, Reckli Graffix Basic.
Many other sealants or protective coatings change the surface and produce a glossy finish.
Personally, I would only use a water repellent. Exposed concrete should have character and be allowed to change over time... especially if it is just a single wall.

Concrete is not just concrete. Whether and how it is treated depends on the material. I was fascinated by the concrete used in the Langen Foundation Museum between Neuss and Grevenbroich, designed by the architect Ando. It does not produce dust and, despite its hardness, has a silky tactile feel.

It is guaranteed to be water-repellent 😉 Concrete will always produce dust without any kind of treatment.

We have been dealing with this for the past two years since our house will be made of concrete. Even the same concrete can vary greatly depending on the processing, formwork, etc.

Keim also offers various products for this purpose. I think it’s important that the surface does not look shiny or coated, as that would ruin the appearance. Therefore, it’s best to only apply water-repellent treatment. I’d rather have a few marks on the concrete. It will change over time anyway.