Thompson's WaterSeal

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.

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

Product category

Exterior Surface Coatings & Waterproofing

SIC

Adhesives & Sealants (2891)

akta.pro primary industry

Waterproof Coatings & Leak Sealing (Basements, Foundations, Roof Coatings) (HSAGADAI)

Keywords

• Exterior waterproofing sealers
• Wood deck protection
• Masonry waterproofer
• Concrete sealer
• Outdoor surface coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Niagara Falls State ParkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Since 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

Direct 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

• Instagraminstagram.com/thompsonswseal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thompson's WaterSeal