DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAULKS AND SEALANTS

Our home is comprised of different materials that preferably complement each other to give strength and foundation to our abode. Sometimes, even if we take the necessary steps to make our home look flawless walls, floors, roofs and other parts of the building start to wear over a period of time. A really practical safeguard against the elements that will help to cut down considerably on the cost of repairs is the application of sealants and caulks to the affected areas.

WHAT ARE CAULKS AND SEALANTS?

Both caulks and sealants can be relied on for two things:

·     Fill in the gaps between cracks - sealants and caulks are both used to create a seal between spaces in cracked or damaged materials.

·         Form a barrier to block fluid or other materials - Sealants and caulks can also block air or water from flowing through a space or crack.

Caulks and sealants share the same uses, although both have distinctive differences and can be used in their own right.

WHAT ARE CAULKS?

Caulks are made of less expensive materials compared to sealants. Polymers such as polybutene, asphalt, vinyl acetate and acylix latex are just a few of the materials that can be used to make caulks. Caulks are the choice of people who are considering budget over performance because caulks are generally cheaper than sealants. However, caulks are not the best choice for outdoor uses. Caulks are rigid and it is advisable that they are only used in areas where minimal expansion and contraction are envisaged. Furthermore, caulks have limited weathering properties -- any material that has been applied with caulk will crack, split or turn severely chalked, usually within a three year period.

WHAT ARE SEALANTS?

What sets sealants apart from caulks are their elasticity and durability properties – not to mention, price. Sealants are expected to be a bit more expensive than caulks because they are normally made out of silicone. Silicone gives the sealant flexibility benefits and is ideal for areas where expansion and contraction are likely. Most homebuilders use silicone sealants because the material is flexible enough to keep a watertight seal, even in areas where there is much weather exposure. Sealants are not only best for indoor applications but for outdoor projects as well.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU USE FOR YOUR PROJECT?

Before buying either sealant or caulk, first consider the type of work that you are about to embark on.  If you are just thinking of making or repairing an indoor project, opting for caulk instead of sealant may be a better choice for you. On the contrary, if you are thinking of repairing or starting an outdoor project that is likely to be exposed to the elements, sealants are by far the better option.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

It is important to note that the popular choice of homebuilders nowadays is sealants. The composition of caulks gives the material to exhibit poor to fair adhesion on any type of material.

Silicone Sealants for Automotive Use

A silicone sealant has a wide variety of uses not only in the infrastructure industry but also in the automotive industry. Sealants meet the necessary needs of cars for durable bonding, gasketing and paint adhesion. When talking about the functions of sealants in improving the car’s quality, we can talk about its two major functions which are:

• sealing
• paint adhesion

Since silicone sealant offers premium adhesion to any kind of surface, it is ideal to use for any application that requires bond and moisture resistance.

HOW IS SILICONE USEFUL FOR SEALING?

Silicone sealants will provide numerous advantages to your car to prevent it from being damaged which in turn causes you to reduce your cost in repairs. Furthermore, silicone sealants can:

1. Ensure safety - Squeaks and rattles surely sound annoying and disturbing. When continuous squeaking occurs, one can conclude that there is a problem with the internal parts of your automotive. To stop the squeaks and rattles, test your car and look for the part that needs sealing.
2. Give your car a better performance - By applying sealants, you can be sure that loose internal parts of your car are strongly bonded and sealed.
3. Protect your car from weathering - Spaces, cracks and leaks in your car parts will enable the cold and heat to pass through them. Heat and cold can cause unfavourable results to your car’s performance as well.

Sealants do not only fill the gap in the cracks, spaces and leaks in your car, sealants can also make the exterior of your car look appealing as if it’s new.

HOW IS SILICONE SEALANT USEFUL FOR CAR PAINT?

Sealants are made to complement the paint on your car and make it stick to the exteriors. Sealants can also enhance the look of the exteriors of your car by giving it a sharper gloss and reflection. Normally, the effect of sealant can last between 3 to 6 months. However, there are still some factors that you need to consider when calculating how long will the sealant last on your exteriors.

1. How you store your car - If your car is stored in a place where there is shade, the sealant will most likely to last long. On the contrary, if you are just parking your car outside your home, your car is exposed to the different weather conditions and in return may shorten the affectivity of the sealant’s function.
2. How frequent you wash your vehicle - The more time you devote to cleaning your car, the more you’re likely to keep the paint of your car. 

QUICK TIP: You’ll know when to reapply sealants by allowing ample amount of water to flow on the exteriors of your vehicle. If the water begins to pool on your paint, then it’s a sign that your vehicle has no protection and it will be better if you’ll apply another coat of sealant.

An Introduction to Sealants and Adhesives

Some people may not be aware of it, but sealants and adhesives are relevant to our daily lives. These two substances play a big part in the way tasks are completed in some of the most important industries in the world. The field of construction is one of the major sectors that make use of sealants and adhesives. These are often mistaken to be similar in properties and function, but the truth is they are not.

What is a sealant?

A sealant is a material that is meant, as the name implies, to seal something. Its purpose lies in its ability to fill gaps between two properties and to stay there permanently.  Sealants are used to close small openings which are difficult to close or shut off with other materials.

Types of sealant

There is a wide variety of sealants that are usually classified according to their properties or function. Here are some examples of the different types of sealant: acrylic sealants, adhesive sealants, aircraft sealants, car sealants, dental sealants, metal sealants, roof sealants and many others.

What is an adhesive?

An adhesive is a material that binds things together and works in the way in which a glue performs.  It is a substance that has a very strong property that makes it almost impossible to separate the bind. Adhesive is a very important substance in the construction industry because it has the ability to stick two different materials together as needed.

Types of adhesive

There are different types of adhesive that can be classified into four: Reactive adhesives, Non-reactive adhesives, Natural adhesives and Synthetic adhesives. The first two categories have sub categories, as listed below.

Reactive adhesives      

Contact adhesives

Hot adhesives

Non-reactive adhesives

One-part adhesives

Multi-part adhesives

What is the difference between sealant and adhesive?

These two substances have very different purposes. They are used for very different reasons and they perform tasks that the other could not do. A sealant is a material designed to fill a space or a gap between two surfaces, whereas an adhesive is specifically designed to join two things together by means of bonding them.

Sealants and adhesives are both very important, not only for businesses but for domestic functions as well. We make use of these substances to perform tasks that involve simple repairs at home and many other similar functions.

SILICONE SEALANTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURES

According to Ullmann’s Encyclopedia, silicones have no marked harmful effects on organisms in the environment. This is probably one of the reasons why silicones are widely used in different practical human applications. For one, silicones are now used by most engineers for building infrastructures.

During the planning process of construction, engineers look after the cost-effectiveness of the materials that they will use. Picking cost-effective materials can help them to build sustainable buildings that will last and endure different kinds of stress and pressure that may be caused by weather, electricity, etc. At present silicone is one of the cost-effective materials that can be used as a sealant because it doubles the lifespan of the constructions being built.

Silicone sealant is a cost-effective material that can be used for buildings, utilities, transportation systems and roads. It is a good choice not only for engineers but also for architects. Architects opt for the material because it enables them to formulate designs that can be both contemporary and environmentally-friendly; they can create more energy efficient and people-friendly designs.

Aside from the said characteristics of silicones, the material can also:

1.     Strengthen a community’s infrastructure. The qualities of the silicone enable buildings and other constructions to last longer. The human population is ever on the increase and the need for more stable infrastructures has risen with it. Aside from infrastructures, silicone sealants can help strengthen pylons, railways, bridges and vehicles.

2.     Improve energy efficiency. Silicones can serve as rubber insulators. Rubber insulators help in minimising flashovers that cause power interruptions. Additionally, the LED lights that we use today are protected by silicones. LED lights are the ultimate saving alternative for traditional light bulbs.

3.     Help buildings withstand seismic activities. Silicones are naturally resistant to oils, fuels and other solvents. Furthermore, they also have low chemical reactivity which makes them resistant to microbial elements, corrosion and other chemical changes that may cause a structure to be damaged. Aside from being naturally resistant to chemicals, silicones are also waterproof.

4.     Serve as insulator. Silicones have excellent insulating properties. With the ability to resist long-term exposure to the atmosphere - most especially to the sun - one of the many elements to have low thermal conductivity is silicone. Silicones have better temperature and weather resistance compared with other organic materials.

5.     Eliminate the need for frequent maintenance. Silicones that are used as protective coatings can help any infrastructure to last longer. Due to its qualities, silicone requires that infrastructures have less maintenance because it can withstand mould, corrosion, water and sunlight.

Silicone is truly a wonder of nature. In addition to its good qualities, a silicone can also be absorbed by solids in waste water treatment facilities which make it the best option to use as a sealant.

At Sealants and Tools Direct Ltd. we offer the best grade of silicone sealants with products from the leading manufacturers of silicone sealants including Dow Corning, Geocel, Cornertape. Visit our webpage to know more about our products.

How to Paint a Ceiling like a Pro

Ceiling is the part of the room often forgotten by many people. They prioritise the wall and its design without giving the ceiling much importance. Some choose to have their room painted by a professional. By choosing this, they are guaranteed to fast and quality results. But did you know that it's possible to do this on your own? It's true. In fact, there are good quality materials readily available in stores near you. 

Painting a ceiling may be overwhelming if you’ve never done it before. Ask Michelangelo when he painted the Sistine Chapel since you may be putting a white paint over an existing white paint. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how you can paint your ceiling by yourself.

Step 1: Purchase the right tools for your room.

Buy quality paints. This ensures that you don’t only get the desired result you want but also the durability of the ceiling. There are many paint finishes available in the market. You may want to choose semi-gloss than matte to give the ceiling its vibrant color. Painting the ceiling is tricky so be sure to purchase a good roller brush with extension handles. It is easier than climbing a ladder or a stool to paint it using a simple paint brush.  Thick-nap rollers should be used in textured ceiling so you get full coverage of the bumps and irregularities of its textured surface. Smooth drywall ceiling should be painted using a roller with smooth or shorter naps. Purchase a wall primer with stain blocker. This guarantees that the paint you will apply later will not be just absorbed by the ceiling. A paint try should be purchased. One that is wide enough for the roller to be conveniently rolled back and forth easily.

Step 2: Prepare the room.

In preparing the room where you’re ceiling is located, be sure to remove all furniture inside the room or cover it with a cloth or newspapers. Cover the floor also with newspapers to avoid drips. Canvas drop clothes are advisable. It is fast absorbing and can be used for several times though it is costly.

Step 3: Prime the ceiling.

Priming the ceiling is an important part when painting many surfaces. It ensures that you will only use one coat of the paint of your choice. It also protects your ceiling from water stains in case of leaks. Primers are usually inexpensive though there are many variants available in the market like antibacterial and stain-blocker. Be sure to paint in a cut-in line in the ceiling. This is a 2-3 inch strip where the wall meets the ceiling. You will need a decent paintbrush and ladder or a stool for this.

Step 4: Paint the ceiling.

While the cut-in line is still wet, begin the painting using a roller to prevent visible lines. Dip the roller in the deep proportion of the paint tray. Roll it back and forth in the shallow end to the deep end for a couple of times to squeeze out excess paint and to promise even coverage on the roller. Use the roller to make a zigzag pattern on the ceiling. Go over the zigzag pattern with straight strokes to even out the paint on the surface of the ceiling. Once the initial paint dried, you may want to apply a second coat over the ceiling starting with the cut-in line and finishing with the roller. Second coating is done to achieve maximum color results of the ceiling.

Painting a ceiling is easy. With the right mindset and good materials, you will achieve it like how a professional painter does it. Not only it will save you time and money, you also have the freedom to choose the colour and materials that you will use. It is both efficient and practical.