Sealants are commonly used in the construction industry to fill cracks and openings and seal joints. They provide a barrier to air, water, moisture, gas, noise, dust and smoke. Although they generally represent less than 1% of the cost of a building or renovation project, they are extremely important for the waterproofing of the building.
For this reason, proper selection based on properties and applications is important to get the most out of a sealant. Here are some questions to ask when choosing the best sealant for a construction project.
Will the sealant be applied inside or outside?
This first question is undoubtedly the most decisive when choosing an appropriate sealant for your project. It goes without saying that products designed for outdoor use have different properties that make them more resistant to the elements they will be exposed to.
One only has to consider freezing temperatures, which have the potential to reduce the flexibility of silicone sealants, and therefore their effectiveness. Moreover, if the product is to be applied in cold weather, it is best to choose a product accordingly.
Prolonged exposure to the sun can also affect the performance of a sealant that would not be suitable for outdoor use. However, some products have excellent UV resistance, making them better choices for outdoor use.
What material will the sealant be applied to?
Many different materials can be used during a construction project. Metal, concrete, bricks and wood are commonly combined to achieve the desired result for the owners. However, this variety can be a problem when it comes to caulking the joints between these combined materials. Indeed, some sealants will not adhere as easily to certain textures, which makes it difficult to use them and limits their performance.
When choosing a sealing product, it is therefore important to make sure that it can be applied to the materials used in the renovation or construction project.
Do you need to paint the sealant?
Although several different sealant colours are available, some will want to paint the sealant to ensure that the final result of their project meets high aesthetic requirements. In these cases, particular care must be taken, as not all sealants can be painted without affecting their performance.
Among other things, it should be noted that most sealants produced from silicone are not designed to be coated with paint, since they would lose some of their specific properties.
Find the best sealant for your project
After reading this, you will probably have a better understanding of the characteristics on which to base your choice of sealant for a construction project.
However, if you still have doubts about the sealant you need, the Adfast team can help you. With more than 25 years of experience in the field of sealing products, our specialists can offer you solutions that meet your needs.
