By The Coffee Shops™. 

From freeze-thaw cycles and pool chemicals to vehicle traffic and UV exposure, outdoor concrete requires special care. 

Outdoor living spaces continue to grow in popularity, but the concrete surfaces that pave patios, pool decks, driveways and garages are exposed to constant environmental and performance challenges. In a recent episode of From the Ground Up™, Dan Hedberg, assistant product manager for concrete and floor coatings for Sherwin-Williams H&C®, explained why understanding those challenges is essential when selecting the best products for long-term protection. 

According to Dan, climate plays a major role in coating performance. Northern regions must contend with freeze-thaw cycles, road salts and harsh winter conditions, while southern climates face intense UV exposure and heat. “Whether you're up north or down south, there are lots of things to take into consideration,” Dan said. 

Different outdoor surfaces also face unique stressors. “We have some chemical exposure to worry about,” Dan explained. “Think about all the nasty things that we store in our garage or that might drip off of our car. Driveways and garage floors must withstand vehicle traffic and substances such as gasoline, oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid. At the same time, Pool decks are exposed to standing water, splash zones and chemicals that can cause some coatings to soften, discolor or fail over time.   

Those ongoing conditions make product selection especially important for contractors. Dan emphasized that choosing a coating designed for the environment can help reduce callbacks and rework. That’s why Sherwin-Williams' H&C developed Heavy Shield Plus, a concrete coating designed to protect outdoor concrete at the highest level.  

“It's designed with supreme adhesion technology, essentially formulated with a polymer with a much smaller particle size than the existing Heavy Shield product uses. Meaning, it can get down and bite into that concrete even harder, even more longer lasting,” Dan said. 

Ultimately, protecting outdoor concrete requires matching products to the realities of the environment, understanding how each surface will be used and following proper installation practices from the start. 

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the video to learn more about protecting outdoor concrete. 

With a continued commitment to sales excellence, first-class customer service and effective marketing, H&C ® is continuously looking for innovative ways to make concrete more appealing, artistic and colorful. 

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning online communities where the industries meet for technologies, safety, information and education for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and outdoor living, are pleased to welcome H&C® Decorative Concrete Products (H&C) into their community. 

For nearly a century, H&C has helped professionals transform ordinary concrete into durable, high-performance surfaces. Established in 1929, the brand built its foundation on superior adhesion, reliable protection and industry-leading quality that guides every product they develop today. 

Contractors, designers and hardscape specialists face one consistent challenge: delivering finishes that look great and stay great. H&C emphasizes sales excellence, exceptional customer service and continuous innovation to ensure their solutions elevate your craft, providing results that look great and stay great. 

A complete decorative concrete portfolio 

H&C covers the full spectrum of concrete needs, from beautification to heavy-duty protection. Their products include stains, sealers, waterproofers, resurfacers and specialty coatings that perform exceptionally across residential and commercial environments.  

Here’s what stands out in their current offerings: 

• HEAVY SHIELD™ Concrete & Driveway Enamel/Stain: Designed for both interior and exterior use, HEAVY SHIELD is a solid color, water-based stain that combines deep penetration with long-lasting durability. 
• Shield-Crete® Water-Based Epoxy Garage Floor Coating: For clients looking for a polished, professional garage finish, Shield-Crete epoxy creates a hard, durable surface that resists peeling and eliminates hot-tire pickup issues. 
• ClariShield® Clear Sealers: When a job calls for enhancing, enriching or protecting bare or previously coated concrete, the ClariShield line brings out the natural aesthetic of the substrate while adding long-lasting protection from weather, water and wear. 

H&C helps simplify the selection process with straightforward tools that guide you toward the right stain or coating based on the substrate and site conditions. With a wide range of solid color options and tintable systems, outdoor professionals can easily specify the perfect finish for any project style. 

The Coffee Shops are proud to welcome H&C Decorative Concrete Products!