Different Types of Sealants Used in Construction

Sealants are being used by industries today as they are useful in filling a gap between two or more objects or substrates. They can also generate a barrier on a specific surface, preventing other substances from passing through. Sealants ultimately preserve and even extend the service life of the materials due to their quality sealing properties.

One industry that maximises sealants is the construction industry. The construction industry utilises sealants in preventing fluids and other substances from entering and infiltrating surfaces, openings, and joints made from concrete, timber, or mortar. They likewise prevent elements like dust, insects, sound, and others from entering crucial parts of a structure. Special sealants are even utilised as fire-stopping materials thanks to their accompanying durability and flexibility.

Choosing the Right Type of Sealants

When choosing the right sealants for construction works, contractors must consider some qualities. Some qualities that they must consider in choosing their sealants are as follows:

• Weather Resistance– One quality that contractors should check is weather resistance. Sealants can be effective in sealing surfaces and providing protection to structures if they can withstand heat, moisture, sunlight, and other weather elements.
• Hardness – Hardness is a quality of sealants that may vary based on one’s requirement. Sealants with low hardness levels deform easily, which can be ideal for some applications. Other sealants, alternatively, may have increased hardness but do not deform, which might be great for specific construction conditions.
• Viscosity – High viscosity sealants do not flow much wherever they are applied or installed. Low viscosity sealants, on the other hand, can penetrate a substrate, making them effective in horizontal joints and self-levelling applications.
• Adhesion– Adhesion is a quality of sealants that should always be present. High-quality sealants have a high level of adhesion, ensuring that they can work with any substrates.
• Overall Content– Another quality that must be considered when picking the right sealants is their volatile organic compounds (VOC) content. VOCs are comprised of elements that can be toxic to the environment. Opting for sealants that do not have any VOCs can make the applications sustainable.

Sealants for the Construction Industry

The construction industry uses various types of sealants in completing projects. These sealants are often grouped based on their core materials. Some of the most common sealants used in the industry are:

• Latex– Latex sealants are being used in the industry since they are easy to clean. They can likewise adhere to most substrates and can work with interior finishes. They are, however, prone to shrinkage.
• Acrylic– Acrylic sealants are also utilised in the construction industry as they can resist ultraviolet rays, weather elements, and shrinkage. One example of acrylic sealants is the Norcryl® A3300. This sealant has adhesion on both sides, making it effective in exterior building cladding. A9100 is another example of an acrylic sealant, which is highly effective in absorbing stresses of normal joint movement. This sealant can be used in exterior building cladding as well as architectural signage.

Other materials that can be used for sealants are butyl, polysulfide, and silicone. To know more about sealants, you can call us at Foam Sealant.