Although slurry seal and seal coating can be thrown around interchangeably in conversations, many people do not realize that they are not the same thing. While slurry seal and seal coating both seal asphalt pavements and while they do have many other similarities, they have just as many differences. Here’s what you need to know about slurry seal vs seal coating.

Slurry Seal Vs Seal Coating: The Facts

Before we get into the similarities and differences in regards to slurry seal vs seal coating, let’s establish what they both are.

What Is Slurry Seal?

Slurry seal is a type of seal for pavement made of asphalt oil, rock, water, and other materials such as carbon and cement. It’s a treatment for your pavement that extends its lifespan and holds up well against the wear and tear of heavy traffic. This is why you often see slurry sealing done on roads and highways.

What Is Seal Coating?

Seal coating is an emulsion made of asphalt, minerals, and other additives to boost its anti-oxidative effects. It acts as a protective layer against damage to your asphalt pavement, staving off that worn out, run down look parking lots can get. 

What Are Their Similarities?

People wouldn’t get slurry sealing and seal coating confused if they didn’t have a lot of similarities. Here are some of the things they have in common. 

General Purpose

Both slurry seal and seal coating are used to seal asphalt pavement. Both protect the asphalt from the elements and any potential damages. 

Installation

Both need the contractor to fill in any cracks and perform any necessary repairs before application to ensure they do their job correctly. 

Longevity

They both are long-lasting, giving you years before you need to have any maintenance work done. 

Cost Efficient

Since they are both long-lasting, they are also both cost-efficient, saving you money on repairs you’d need to have done without slurry sealing or seal coating.

What The Difference For Slurry Seal Vs Seal Coating?

In spite of their similarities, slurry seal and seal coating are good for different things and have several other distinctions from each other.

Consistency

Slurry seal is thicker than seal coating. While seal coating is smoother because it is thinner, slurry seal is made of different materials, giving it a rougher consistency.

Uses

Since slurry seal has a thicker, rougher consistency than seal coating, it’s typically used on high-traffic streets and roads. Seal coating, on the other hand, is better suited to areas where traffic is lighter, such as parking lots. 

Curing Time

While seal coating takes about 2-4 hours to cure, slurry seal takes anywhere from 8-10 hours.

Cost

Slurry seal generally costs more than seal coating. This is because slurry seal is a more intensive process involving machinery and on-site mixing, while seal coating is quicker and easier.

Appearance

As slurry seal is a thicker consistency than seal coating, it tends to have a rougher look. Seal coating looks more polished and smoother. 

Lasting Time

You’ll usually need to have slurry seal redone after ten years, but seal coating only lasts three to five years.

Slurry Seal Vs Seal Coating: Which Is Better?

If you’re debating slurry vs seal coating for your purposes, you don’t have to! Slurry seal and seal coating are both good options to seal your asphalt pavement. If you’re unsure of which is best for you, a professional can come out and give you their expert opinion on which you should choose for the purposes and area you are wanting to have sealed.

Do You Need Slurry Seal Or Seal Coating?

Here is Precision Asphalt Maintenance, we want to help you ensure your asphalt lasts. We offer both slurry sealing and seal coating to protect your pavement and extend its lifespan. Our expert team will get the job done right. For any questions about slurry seal, seal coating, or any of our other services, contact us at Precision Asphalt Maintenance today!