5 Applications Of Sealants

Sealants are adhesives or substances that are used to prevent fluids or other materials from leaking through surfaces or joints. The global sealant adhesive industry exceeded USD 43.7 billion and USD 10.3 billion in 2020.

A good sealant needs to have various properties like the proper kind of hardness and consistency in order to perform well. Here are five applications and types of sealants that are commonly used in our houses.

1. Latex sealants

These are water-based sealants that can stick to most substances. Latex sealants are used widely because they are very easy to work with and clean up. They are also much less expensive than other sealing materials.

If you have used latex sealants on any portion of your house and wish to cover the seal with a coat of paint, you can easily paint over the latex. This is best suited for any kind of application inside the house, where the scar or gap is very small and can be covered with a tiny bit of sealant.

You can also seal any gap with a latex-based adhesive where movement is minimal so that it doesn’t wear off easily. However, the only downside is that it is prone to shrinkage.

2. Acrylic sealants

Acrylic sealants are solvent-based adhesives that offer the additional benefit of being UV stable. You can also paint over acrylic sealants to cover up any marks or scars.

However, as compared to latex sealants, the acrylic ones are slightly tougher to apply. But unlike latex sealants, these are not prone to any kind of shrinkage.

Acrylic sealants can be mostly seen in commercial and exterior applications of a house or building. The cost is low to moderate, depending on the brand and kind of sealant you wish to buy. It also has limited movement.

3. Polysulfide sealants

This kind of sealant is used in underwater applications, such as to seal a crack in a swimming pool. Naturally, this is water-resistant, as well as chemical-resistant. It is also resistant to harmful UV rays. Even at very low temperatures, polysulfide sealants do not shrink or shrink negligibly.

However, it can be a little messy during application since it requires the use of a primer. This also makes this kind of sealant very costly, which is why it is not very widely used.

Another disadvantage is that it can sometimes contain high levels of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) that let off gases after being applied. The life expectancy is pretty long, with 10 to 20 years.

4. Silicone sealants

Silicone sealants are also UV resistant, as well as thermal resistant. They have one of the highest movement capacities since they are very flexible and offer very good and strong adhesion to any surface. The life expectancy is also quite long.

However, many silicone sealants have a very strong and unpleasant odour that may cause a problem. The curating time is also longer than many other kinds of sealants out there, which is another disadvantage. They are mostly used to seal up cracks or dents in glass assemblies.

Even though silicone sealants are used in many places, they can be expensive and leave a slight stain on certain kinds of glass substances. Additionally, you will not be able to paint over them to cover up the sealing marks.

5. Polyurethane sealants

Polyurethane sealants are abrasion-resistant and have a high capability for movements. They can also be painted and are quite durable. They stick very well to substances without too much substrate preparation.

However, polyurethane sealants cannot be used in glass assemblies. The high cost is also a disadvantage. Additionally, the application and tooling can also be messy and difficult.

If you need any special services regarding polyurethane sealing in or around your house, Bayset is the perfect choice for you. It provides solutions to roofing, sealing, and repairing in any part of your house. With over two decades of experience, Bayset’s customer service and prices are unparalleled.

Over to you…

Sealants can be used almost anywhere in your house. Any kind of sealant will be able to do a good job but it’s important for you to figure out which kind of sealant you’d like to use for a particular area.

No type is better or worse than the other- it only comes down to what your requirements are. Cost reduction is important, but keep in mind the performance too.