How to protect exposed concrete and/or natural stone without altering the aesthetic appearance?

PROBLEM: how to protect exposed concrete and/or natural stones without altering the aesthetic appearance.

The degradation of natural stones is mainly related to two factors: the external environment and the nature of the material itself (mechanical resistance/porosity). The mechanical action of water, in freeze-thaw cycles, causes the disintegration of the superficial part of the elements. The chemical action of sulfur dioxide combined with water gives rise to acid rain that attacks limestone. These actions combined with each other provoke the rapid aging of the superficial layer of the elements, and it is therefore important to intervene preventively. If one does not want to change the aesthetic appearance of the artifact, it is possible to intervene with products that simply increase the water repellency of the support, thus inhibiting water absorption. In case it is necessary or desired, even a consolidation of the support is possible by intervening with transparent acrylic waterproofing products. In this second case, there will be a modification of the brightness and intensity of the color (''wet look'' effect).