Sydney Based + National Delivery
Sydney Based + National Delivery
This page explains the practical differences between silane and siloxane brickwork sealers, how they behave inside masonry, and when one is more appropriate than the other.
Brickwork sealers are used to:
They do not create a waterproof membrane and they do not resist hydrostatic pressure.
Brick and mortar contain interconnected pores and capillaries. Water enters masonry mainly by:
Penetrating sealers work by modifying the internal pore surfaces, not by blocking pores.
Most “brick sealer” systems are based on alkoxysilanes, siloxanes, or blends of both.
After application, the chemistry generally follows two steps:
The result is a chemically anchored, water-repellent lining inside the pore structure.
Silane molecules are generally smaller and, under the right conditions, can penetrate deeper into suitable mineral substrates.
Typical characteristics:
Where silanes often struggle:
Siloxanes are generally larger molecular structures and are widely used for brick/mortar protection.
Typical characteristics:
Where siloxanes often struggle:
In the real world, the biggest performance difference is usually not the word “silane” or “siloxane.” It’s:
Two products labelled the same can perform very differently due to formulation and application conditions.
A correctly applied silane/siloxane sealer does not “block moisture.” It changes wetting behaviour:
Liquid water is repelled; vapour permeability remains.
They do not:
They are a moisture-management layer, not a universal waterproofing system.
Results depend on:
If appearance or performance matters, do test areas first.
Silane and siloxane brickwork sealers both work by chemically modifying internal pore surfaces to reduce liquid water absorption while staying vapour-permeable.
Selection should be based on substrate condition, porosity, and application method—not the label alone.