Outdoor sealers are easy to come by and there are so many different brands and styles, we will discuss the best of the best and when and where to use them.
Selecting the right outdoor travertine sealer is essential for any homeowner looking to preserve their investment. The types of stones you use truly make your outdoor area unique and beautiful when it comes to outdoor spaces.
Many people think that since the stones are made for outdoor use, they are more durable and can withstand anything.
Although we wish this could be true, it most definitely is not. Travertine pavers are a natural stone, and concrete/brick pavers are very porous; these are the main types of stone used for patios and courtyards.
Both concrete and Travertine are porous materials and can stain over time. AriStone Cleaning and Restoration highly recommends regular care, professional maintenance, and sealing for pavers.
Due to Arizona’s crazy weather, outdoor pavers, tiles, and even furniture take a toll over time. With our crazy monsoon seasons, high temperatures, and the beating sun, our outdoor spaces take some serious abuse.
We can help you know how to adequately protect your outdoor pavers and tiles by following our Travertine cleaning do's and don'ts.
Today, we will discuss the different options for sealers that we recommend for the different types of pavers and ones we strongly urge you not to use. Let’s start with travertine pavers.
Outdoor travertine has become a signature element of luxury outdoor living spaces in 2026. Whether installed on patios, pool decks, or garden paths, this natural stone brings warm Mediterranean tones and timeless elegance to exterior designs across Florida, California, Arizona, and beyond.
What makes travertine unique is its geological origin. This limestone forms near mineral springs through the gradual precipitation of calcium carbonate, creating a stone filled with natural pores, pits, and voids. These characteristics give travertine its distinctive beauty—but also its vulnerability.
Understanding the unique types of travertine polishing and honing finishes can help you choose the right protection for your specific stone.
Common outdoor applications include:
The core problem is simple: unsealed travertine acts like a sponge. The stone absorbs water at rates of 2-10% depending on the finish, along with oils, red wine, sunscreen, rust from metal furniture, fertilizer, and de-icing salts. This absorption leads to permanent staining and structural weakening.
Outdoor areas are constantly exposed to rain, freeze-thaw cycles, UV rays, and temperature swings ranging from 50°F to 120°F in desert climates. Sealing travertine surfaces is essential to protect them from stains, water damage, and discoloration due to their porous nature.
An outdoor travertine sealer does not make the stone waterproof. It repels approximately 90-98% of liquids while keeping contaminants on the surface for easier cleaning.
Travertine pavers and tiles come in many different color options and styles of pavers. Since Travertine is a natural stone, it can be absorbent. We recommend yearly cleanings and sealings with sealers that absorb into the stone.
We have two specific sealers for travertine pavers, a natural look sealer and an enhancing sealer. Both sealers are penetrating sealers that soak into the pavers and clog the pores helping prevent staining and even organic growth from seeping up.
Our natural look sealer is a hybrid solvent-based penetrating sealer. By hybrid solvent, we mean it is a combination of a water-based sealer and oil-based sealer.
This sealer protects from salt, acid rain, high alkali soil, microscopic organic degradation and UV breakdown because of the deep organic bonding strength. It also only has a 24-hour curing process.
If you're wondering about the best way to maintain this look, check out the best ways to clean and care for your travertine tile floors.
We apply this sealer by spraying or rolling depending on your pavers, letting the sealer dwell and penetrate the travertine pavers. After about 10 minutes or so, we buff off the excess sealer with buffing pads to leave your pavers protected and looking beautiful.
Before we seal, we will deeply clean your pavers to remove as much debris and staining that may have already occurred. We recommend sealing your pavers as soon as possible.
If you have polymeric sand installed, we can come in and seal seven days after the sand is completed to give you protection from day one. When the pavers dry out, they will look like they did when the pavers were dry, and the sealer will act as a barrier, preventing substances from penetrating the stone.
Read the article: Wax Removal from Travertine Tile
If you are looking for more vibrancy from your travertine pavers, we offer an enhancer sealer that will make the Travertine look wet without being glossy or slippery. Our enhancer sealers are applied the same way the natural look sealer is and protect the same.
The only actual difference is that our enhancer sealers create a wet look. As it penetrates into the stone, it will bring out all the colors of the pavers, giving you the look you get when you hose down the pavers and then they stay that way.
Like the natural look sealer, the enhancer will act as a barrier preventing staining and discoloration. his is also a popular choice for indoor areas, as seen in our guide on the benefits of sealing my stone tile shower.
Neither one of these sealers will make the pavers slippery or change the texture.
Brick pavers are typically made from concrete, and the sealers we use on concrete and brick pavers are the same. Like Travertine, we have a natural look sealer for brick and concrete, and a wet look.
After thoroughly cleaning the concrete pavers, the natural look sealer will penetrate into the pores and clog them, helping prevent organic growth and staining within the brick or concrete. This sealer will keep your brick pavers looking like they do when dry.
The application of these sealers is to roll or spray them on, let them seep into the pavers, and then buff off any excess to ensure no stickiness or tackiness. Our natural look sealers are hybrid solvent-based, giving you the best possible protection from Arizona’s weather and different elements.
We highly suggest cleaning and sealing concrete at least once a year, and if you can do it every six months, that is even better. Brick and concrete are very porous, so they need a little more care.
We offer two wet-look sealers. One is water-based, and the other is a high solvent-based sealer. With the wet look sealer, we try the water-based first, but because of how absorbent concrete sometimes is, we have to use the high solids sealer to ensure you get the best protection and look out of the pavers.
When we apply the wet look sealer, the pavers will look like they do when you hose them down without being glossy, shiny, or slippery. The vibrancy we can get out of brick pavers is absolutely gorgeous and so worth the time.
For homeowners with pets, keeping these areas clean is vital. We use pet-friendly tile and grout cleaning methods to ensure your outdoor spaces are safe for the whole family.
Over the years, we have seen many customers apply their own sealers, which is excellent. DIY is always a good thing, but we want to make sure you are using the correct sealers. Many of the sealers you can buy from local stores say they are penetrating or impregnating, but this is not always true, so before buying, do your research.
Topical sealers are typically what we see homeowners using, and these are terrible for the outdoors. Topical sealers are sealers that you apply, and they create a shell-like coating.
They do not absorb, but sit on top. When first done, they look amazing and work great, but they will break down quickly and start to look splotchy, flaky, and awful.
This is one of the biggest myths about tile and grout maintenance—that a thick "wax" coating is better for protection.
The only way to remove topical sealers is to strip them off, which is not always easy, as the sealers will bond with the pavers and may not strip off completely. All in all, make sure you know what you are applying for before you do.
It's much better to use the best products for travertine tile flooring from the start to avoid these issues.
Another sealer a lot of our customers ask about, especially ones with a pool, is the anti-slip coatings. These again are topical sealers, so we recommend not using them right off the bat.
The other issue with these is, from our experience, they do not work and tend not to make the pavers any less slippery than they already are. They are not worth the money or stress of using them, in our professional opinion.
We wish they would work, and when the technology gets corrected and does work, we plan to offer them, but until that happens, be very careful applying these to your outdoor spaces.
As you can see, the sealers used for your outdoor entertaining areas are critical. The more knowledge you can get before doing this yourself, the better off you will be, and obviously, using a professional who has tested and worked with the products for years is the safest bet.
Read the article: Grades and Types of Travertine Tile
A quality travertine sealer delivers three critical advantages: protection, enhanced appearance, and improved safety around wet areas.
Homeowners should match their sealer to the exact use case—a travertine pool deck has different demands than a covered walkway or driveway.
If you are preparing your home for the market, remember that professional stone care is one of the top tile and grout cleaning benefits for selling your home.
Read the article: What to Expect from Your Local Travertine Cleaning Experts
Most homeowners can seal travertine pavers in a weekend if they follow manufacturer directions and basic safety steps. When sealing travertine, it is best to apply the sealer using a roller or pump sprayer, starting in one corner and working in sections for even coverage.
If your grout lines are discolored, you may want to consider grout color sealing as part of your restoration process to ensure a uniform, brand-new look.
Outdoor conditions break down sealers faster than indoor environments. Regular sealing of travertine is crucial, especially in high-traffic areas, to prevent wear such as etching, fading, and dark spots from dirt and moisture.
Learn more to know the price: What is the price of restoring travertine in Arizona?
AriStone Cleaning and Restoration is always willing to discuss all your options and give you our recommendations for the type of pavers and look you are going for.
Feel free to reach out to us anytime at our office number 480-352-2987 or check out our very informative website at www.travertinecleaningaz.com. We are the type of company that is very transparent and honest with all we do.
Do I really need to seal my outdoor travertine pavers?
Yes. Travertine is a highly porous natural stone that acts like a sponge. Without a sealer, it will absorb water, oils, and contaminants, leading to permanent staining, mold growth, and structural damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
How often should outdoor travertine be resealed?
Typically, you should reseal every 1 to 3 years. High-traffic areas like pool decks or those exposed to harsh weather may need attention every 1–2 years, while covered patios or light-traffic walkways can often last 2–3 years.
Will sealing my travertine pool deck make it slippery?
Not if you use a penetrating sealer. Penetrating (impregnating) sealers soak into the stone and preserve its natural texture and grip. You should avoid topical or high-gloss sealers, which create a film on the surface that can significantly increase slip risk.
How can I tell if my pavers need to be resealed?
Perform a "Water Test" by pouring a small amount of water on the surface. If the water beads up, the stone is protected. If the water soaks into the stone and turns it dark within five minutes, it is time to apply a fresh coat of sealer.
How long does the sealing process take to cure?
Most high-quality sealers require a 24-hour curing process. While you can usually walk on the surface in light footwear after 4–8 hours, you should avoid heavy traffic, moving furniture, or using the pool for 24 to 72 hours for a full cure.
Experience: 27 Years
Industry: Natural Stone, Tile and Grout Cleaning and Restoration
Cody has been in the Natural Stone, Tile and Grout service for 27 years, his knowledge and experience in this field helps get your job done correct the first time. If there is anyone you want on your job site it's Cody.
Location: Serving the Phoenix metro area
Company
Services
Service Areas
