What are the six major categories of sealant Used in Construction?

GT Sealants share the 6 types of sealants you can use in your home…

The construction of a house necessitates the attachment of several diverse materials. Concrete, metal, wood, glass, fibreglass, and other materials have their place and function in the construction of your home. However, it isn’t easy to seal the seams where these various materials may meet, as they do not always make the strongest bonding. Fortunately, a whole category of construction materials is specialized for this task: sealants.

Here are 6 major categories of sealant

There are a vast selection of sealants available. Some sealants are well suited for a particular use, meaning they may not work for another. Others may have a broader scope of application. Therefore, picking the appropriate sealant for the specific work is essential. You can also employ mastic sealant contractors for better outcomes. Here are the six major types of sealants that are used in construction. Let’s check them out.

1. Water-based sealants

Latex-based sealants derived from water. It is ideal for domestic usage because of its simplicity of application & ability to cling to various substrates. These may be painted on and are ideal for situations with extremely small gaps or voids and minimum movement. Latex can be susceptible to shrinking and separation from the substrate, enabling water to permeate.

2. Silicone sealants

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Silicone sealants are a superb all-around solution for sealing applications; the only drawback is that they cannot be painted over. The material keeps flexibility and are extremely resistant to the effects of water. They are also more resistant to shrinkage than most conventional sealants and adhere to a wide variety of substrates. The high cost of these sealants is the primary drawback to using them, even though they are among the most effective means of constructing air and water barriers. So, for the application of this sealant, employ mastic sealant specialists.

3. Polyisobutylenes

Polyisobutylenes have features comparable to those of natural rubber, but in addition, they are more durable, resistant to chemical assault, and have a very low level of permeability. Because of their ability to prevent the passage of gases and vapours, they are frequently employed as the main sealant for insulating glazing units. 

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4. Polyurethane

They adhere effectively to the most diverse surfaces and require little preparation of the substrate. As a result, they are often the alternative that contractors and other professionals turn to most often. They have great adhesion and movement capabilities and good resistance to abrasion and shear stresses. They are also quite durable. However, mastic sealant contractors can tell you whether it will be suitable for you or not.

5. Acrylic sealants

Acrylic sealants are paintable as latex. However, their sealing characteristics are often more stable and less prone to shrinkage. Furthermore, these sealants are typically paintable, making them ideal for exterior applications which require colour matching, such as concrete cracks and window trim. However, remember that acrylic sealants aren’t as flexible as other sealants. Thus, the movement might cause cracks over time.

6. Butyl sealants

Butyl sealants are composed of rubber and attach effectively to a variety of materials. They can be quite stringy and runny, making their application untidy. However, unlike other sealants, these sealants never truly cure. Thus, they tend to be extremely flexible, have a long service life, and withstand UV radiation, moisture, and ageing. These sealants are water-resistant but aren’t very resistant to mobility. Therefore, they can rip. They also do not readily receive paint.

Which sealant will you be using?

Any sealant will function successfully if used properly, but selecting the optimal solution might be a technical problem. No sealant kind is better or worse than the others; it is a matter of analyzing performance qualities and selecting the most appropriate sealant for each use. And to select the appropriate one, you must contact mastic sealant specialists.

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