For Utah exterior concrete flatwork (driveways, walkways, patio slabs), penetrating silane/siloxane sealers provide the best long-term protection. They bond chemically with the concrete matrix, reduce water absorption without creating a surface film that can peel or delaminate under Utah’s freeze-thaw cycling and UV, and are appropriate for surfaces where tire marks from a film-forming sealer would be objectionable. For stamped and decorative concrete, solvent-based or water-based acrylic sealers enhance color and provide the characteristic sheen — these require reapplication every 2–3 years as the film degrades under UV. For brick, block, and stone masonry, breathable silane/siloxane sealers are the correct specification — they prevent water infiltration while allowing moisture vapor to escape from the masonry body, preventing the trapped-moisture scaling that occurs with film-forming sealers on masonry. All sealer applications should follow the manufacturer-specified cure period — applying sealer before full cure traps bleed water and causes delamination.