Sealing a Concrete Hearth

[wdyte_dan]

Hi all

I'm in the planning stage to cast a concrete hearth for a new woodheater in my loungeroom. The finish will be exposed aggregate steel trowelled to get a smooth and shiny burnished finish, possibly some grinding and polishing by hand if needed.

I want to apply a sealant to the slab to make it easier to clean up spills/ash etc not absorb stains.

Does anyone have any advice on the type of concrete sealants (eg acrylic, epoxy etc) that would work best asthetically and will stand up to the heat put out of the woodheater?

[Big Shed]

Hi all

I'm in the planning stage to cast a concrete hearth for a new woodheater in my loungeroom. The finish will be exposed aggregate steel trowelled to get a smooth and shiny burnished finish, possibly some grinding and polishing by hand if needed.

I want to apply a sealant to the slab to make it easier to clean up spills/ash etc not absorb stains.

Does anyone have any advice on the type of concrete sealants (eg acrylic, epoxy etc) that would work best asthetically and will stand up to the heat put out of the woodheater?

Most epoxies will yellow, especially with the heat.

Easiest to apply and maintain is a good quality slate sealer, preferably the solvent based variety. These are used extensively on slate hearth available commercially.
I have used a slate sealer on our slate hearth in a previous house, they also work well on concrete, stand up to the heat OK and don't yellow (appreciably).

[wdyte_dan]

Cheers for that. Most useful. :)