Thompson's WaterSeal
Thompson's WaterSeal, founded in 1929 and owned by Sherwin-Williams, manufactures polymer-based exterior waterproofing products for wood, masonry, concrete, and fabric surfaces, selling exclusively through major U.S. and Canadian home improvement retailers to DIY homeowners and contractors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersCleveland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Thompson's WaterSeal does
Thompson's WaterSeal, legally The Thompson's Company, is a Cleveland, Ohio-based manufacturer of exterior waterproofing and surface protection products originally formulated in 1929 by polymer chemist Edward Addis Thompson. The brand's portfolio is organized into three product lines: Exterior Wood Sealers (Clear, Transparent, Semi-Transparent, and Solid Color opacity variants), Multi-Surface Waterproofers (clear waterproofers for concrete, brick, masonry, stone, stucco, fabric, and an aerosol format), and Prep Products (deck cleaners and strippers). The underlying technology is polymer-based chemistry that creates moisture barriers and exceeds the ASTM-D4446 industry standard for water repellency at greater than 60% efficiency, with product warranties ranging from 4 to 15 years depending on surface orientation.
The company operates a direct-to-consumer brand model without selling direct; instead it distributes exclusively through major U.S. retail channels including Lowe's, Menards, Ace Hardware, Do it Best, True Value, Walmart, and Amazon, plus a Canadian market presence. Revenue is generated through one-time unit purchases (gallons, quarts, aerosol cans) of consumable waterproofing products, with customers repurchasing on 2–7 year maintenance cycles. Primary customer segments are DIY homeowners with outdoor living spaces (decks, fences, patios), retail consumers purchasing through home improvement channels, and a secondary segment of contractors and builders who apply the products on client jobs and trigger transferable warranties.
Thompson's WaterSeal is a wholly-owned subsidiary brand within the Consumer Brands Group of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW), alongside Valspar, Minwax, Cabot, Krylon, and Purdy. The brand has operated under Sherwin-Williams since the original Thompson's Company was integrated into the portfolio, providing access to extensive retail distribution, R&D resources, and consumer brand management infrastructure. Marketing centers on educational content (How-To guides, Deck Protection Almanac, project galleries), social engagement on Instagram, and a customer review sweepstakes program.
Thompson's WaterSeal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Thompson's WaterSeal
- Legal name
- The Thompson's Company
- Website
- https://thompsonswaterseal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Thompson's WaterSeal, founded in 1929 and owned by Sherwin-Williams, manufactures polymer-based exterior waterproofing products for wood, masonry, concrete, and fabric surfaces, selling exclusively through major U.S. and Canadian home improvement retailers to DIY homeowners and contractors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Thompson's WaterSeal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Exterior Surface Coatings & Waterproofing
- SIC
- Adhesives & Sealants (2891)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Waterproof Coatings & Leak Sealing (Basements, Foundations, Roof Coatings) (HSAGADAI)
Keywords
Where Thompson's WaterSeal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cleveland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Thompson's WaterSeal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Consumer Waterproofing Products: Thompson's WaterSeal generates revenue through the sale of exterior waterproofing, staining, and surface preparation products directly to consumers through retail distribution channels. Products are one-time purchase items (not subscription) with customers repurchasing as needed for maintenance cycles every 2-7 years depending on product type and surface exposure. The company offers a complete product ecosystem including cleaners, waterproofers, wood stains/sealers, and masonry protectors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Exterior Wood Sealers - Clear to Solid opacity options |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels5 records
Thompson's WaterSeal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Thompson's WaterSeal manufactures and distributes a portfolio of exterior waterproofing and wood protection products sold through major home improvement retailers. Its lineup spans wood sealers in four opacities (Clear, Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Solid), multi-surface waterproofers for concrete, brick, masonry and fabric, and surface preparation cleaners and strippers. Products carry limited warranties of 4–15 years depending on surface and product type.
Product overview
Thompson's WaterSeal is a portfolio of exterior waterproofing and wood protection products organized into three main categories: Exterior Wood Sealers (Clear Wood Sealer, Transparent Wood Sealer, Semi-Transparent Wood Sealer, Solid Color Wood Sealer), Multi-Surface Waterproofers (Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer, Clear Masonry Protector Waterproofer, Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer Aerosol, Fabric Seal, Sport Seal), and Prep Products (Heavy Duty Deck Cleaner, Maximum Strength Deck Stripper). The core offering combines waterproofing protection with optional color enhancement across four opacity levels: Clear, Transparent, Semi-Transparent, and Solid. Products protect wood, concrete, brick, masonry, stone, stucco, and fabric surfaces from water damage, UV damage, and mold/mildew.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Clear Wood Sealer Crystal-clear exterior wood sealer providing waterproofing and UV protection while preserving the wood's natural color; intended for DIY homeowners sealing decks, fences, and outdoor wood surfaces.
- Transparent Wood Sealer Transparent opacity exterior wood sealer offering subtle color enhancement while showing the most wood grain; guaranteed 4 years on decks and 5 years on fences.
- Semi-Transparent Wood Sealer Semi-transparent exterior wood sealer providing moderate color while preserving medium wood grain visibility; guaranteed 5 years on decks and 7 years on fences.
- Solid Color Wood Sealer Solid opacity exterior wood sealer offering the most color and the least wood grain visibility; guaranteed 6 years on decks and 15 years on fences.
- Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer Clear-drying waterproofing product for concrete, brick, exterior wood, and other outdoor surfaces; serves as a concrete waterproofer, brick sealer, and wood sealer for DIY homeowners.
- Clear Masonry Protector Waterproofer
Quantifiable outcome
- Warranty coverage of 4-6 years on horizontal surfaces (decks) and 5-15 years on vertical surfaces (fences and siding) depending on product line
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Thompson's WaterSeal
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Thompson's WaterSeal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Thompson's WaterSeal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Niagara Falls State ParkflagshipSince 2006, Thompson's WaterSeal has been a proud partner of Niagara Falls State Park, America's oldest state park, providing waterproofing protection for the Cave of the Winds decks. These unique decks serve 500,000 visitors annually and are subject to extreme conditions including Category 1 hurricane-force winds and continuous water exposure from Bridal Veil Falls. The partnership serves as a flagship case study demonstrating the product's durability in the most demanding outdoor conditions. The company's products have been featured in several movies filmed at the location.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Thompson's WaterSeal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cabot Stains: Cabot is a sibling brand within Sherwin-Williams Consumer Brands Group, offering wood stains and finishes for similar DIY and contractor customers. Both compete in the same retail channels and product categories, but with slightly different brand positioning.
- Minwax: Minwax is a Sherwin-Williams sibling brand specializing in wood finishes and stains. While more interior-focused, it overlaps in exterior wood care and competes for the same DIY homeowner mindshare and retail shelf space.
- Penofin: Penofin is a direct competitor in premium exterior wood finishes and sealers with a focus on penetrating oil-based formulas. Both brands target DIY and contractor customers seeking durable wood protection with warranty-backed performance.
- DEFY Extreme Wood Stain: DEFY is a direct competitor in the wood sealer and stain category, positioning on eco-friendly, water-based formulations. Both brands compete for DIY homeowners seeking advanced water repellency and UV protection.
- Ready Seal: Ready Seal is a direct competitor in exterior wood sealers and stains, popular for its no-primer, easy-application oil-based formulas. Both brands compete for DIY homeowners seeking one-coat deck and fence protection.
- Olympic Stains: Olympic is a direct competitor in exterior wood stains and sealers, distributed through Lowe's and other retailers. Both brands compete head-to-head for DIY deck staining and waterproofing projects with similar opacity tiers and warranty structures.
- Behr Premium Wood Stains & Finishes: Behr is a direct competitor offering wood stains, sealers, and waterproofers sold primarily through Home Depot. Both brands compete for the same DIY homeowner segment on wood deck and exterior protection with comparable product lines (clear, transparent, semi-transparent, solid).
Emerging players
- Seal-Once: Seal-Once is an emerging player in eco-friendly wood sealers and waterproofers with a nano-polymer technology platform. Both brands compete in exterior wood protection, but Seal-Once differentiates on sustainable, low-VOC positioning.
- TWP (Total Wood Preservative): TWP is a niche competitor in exterior wood preservatives and sealers, popular with contractors for deck and fence protection. Both brands offer warranty-backed wood protection products targeting the same DIY and professional customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- Rust-Oleum: Rust-Oleum is a broad coatings manufacturer offering specialty sealers, waterproofers, and stains for DIY consumers. While their portfolio extends across many categories, they directly compete in outdoor waterproofing and wood protection segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Thompson's WaterSeal social profiles
Digital presenceThompson's WaterSeal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Thompson's WaterSeal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Thompson's WaterSeal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Thompson's WaterSeal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Thompson's WaterSeal
What does Thompson's WaterSeal do?
Thompson's WaterSeal manufactures and distributes a portfolio of exterior waterproofing and wood protection products sold through major home improvement retailers. Its lineup spans wood sealers in four opacities (Clear, Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Solid), multi-surface waterproofers for concrete, brick, masonry and fabric, and surface preparation cleaners and strippers. Products carry limited warranties of 4–15 years depending on surface and product type.
Is Thompson's WaterSeal a public or private company?
Thompson's WaterSeal is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Thompson's WaterSeal founded?
Thompson's WaterSeal was founded in 1929. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Thompson's WaterSeal based?
Thompson's WaterSeal is headquartered in Cleveland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Thompson's WaterSeal make money?
One revenue line is on record: consumer Waterproofing Products.
Who are Thompson's WaterSeal's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cabot Stains, Minwax, Penofin, DEFY Extreme Wood Stain, Ready Seal, Olympic Stains and Behr Premium Wood Stains & Finishes. Emerging players are Seal-Once and TWP (Total Wood Preservative). Rust-Oleum is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Thompson's WaterSeal have an API?
No public API is recorded for Thompson's WaterSeal.
What industry is Thompson's WaterSeal in?
Thompson's WaterSeal's product category is Exterior Surface Coatings & Waterproofing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAGADAI, Waterproof Coatings & Leak Sealing (Basements, Foundations, Roof Coatings). Its SIC code is 2891.