Sealants

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At calfeutrage Apex, we use sealants to seal residential, commercial and industrial buildings due to their flexibility and durability during extreme cold Quebec winters and hot summers. We usually refer to the application of sealants as caulking.

What is a sealant?

A sealant is an elastic, more flexible product that seals and fills gaps and cracks and provides more movement when it is dry, making it the best option for use in areas where there might be more expansion and contraction, on the exterior and the interior of a building.

Its elastic properties make the sealant more durable during wide temperature swings.A good quality sealant is less likely to crack when exposed to the sun and for those reasons it is more likely to protect a structure against water air infiltration.

Are caulking and sealants the same thing?

Nowadays sealants are referred to as caulks or caulking products, typically because they are applied by a caulking gun and also because the application of sealants and caulks is commonly called caulking.

Although they share many of the same properties ,caulk is a more rigid material, while sealants are more elastic, they work more effectively in spaces that are known to expand or contract over time.

Which sealant product to use on the exterior of a house?

Whether you plan to seal your home by yourself or hire a caulking company, you will have to know what type of product will be used to seal the joints, gaps and cracks on the envelope of your home. Here are the 3 most common products that you or your caulking expert will choose from.

Silicone-based sealants

When it comes to sealant joints, there are many types of sealants to choose from. Silicone sealants are amongst the most used solutions, thanks to their wide range of benefits. An exterior silicone joint is highly durable and remains stable in extreme temperatures (-51 degrees C to +232 degrees C ) ensuring properties are always protected against the elements.

The advantages of silicone sealant.

• It’s resistant to stains and mould growth, it will not change colour or fade under UV rays It also offers homeowners fantastic insulation and thermal stability.
• Silicone is a flexible material. Silicone sealants can be applied across a wide range of materials (Glass, tile, metal) capable of bonding almost anything together.
• It is also able to withstand vast amounts of movement within those materials without cracking or splitting and offers a beautiful aesthetic finish to any property.
• It cures within 24 hours.

To learn how to remove silicone sealant, go to this link.

Polyurethane sealant.

Polyurethane is most often used as a barrier between two surfaces, and it works very well with wood. While it is more rigid and gets harder than silicone when it dries, it does not maintain flexibility. It is not recommended to be applied to building materials or surfaces that are prolonged to movements such as expansion and contraction, as it may crack.

 In terms of application, polyurethane is considered more difficult to apply because it stiffens as soon as it goes out of the tube. It is even harder to apply in low temperatures as it will not bond or adhere well to the surface. 

Polyurethane takes longer to cure (24 hours more than silicone). It is often applied to structures with high traffic as it holds up to abrasion.

Acrylic sealants.

Acrylic type sealants bonds well with a wide variety of building materials, including wood. It is paintable and can be suitable for any surface type or building material.

Acrylic is very resistant to ultraviolet light. It may turn softer under extreme heat; however, it will not melt ( as a rubberized thermoplastic sealant). Acrylic-based sealants have poor flexibility in low temperatures and tend to fail or crack when in freezing weather.

This sealant’s strong bond factor makes it very difficult to remove, and therefore, a proper replacement of this sealant may be pricier than the replacement of other sealants. Acrylic type sealants stain easily and hard to clean.

Can I seal my home by myself?

If you choose to replace your sealant joints by yourself, It is highly recommended that you research how to caulk your home properly. You need to know which surfaces have to be sealed and even more, where not to caulk around windows (To allow water to evacuate safely from your home).

Effective sealing of your home requires experience; otherwise, it can result in an unattractive and inefficient finish. Hiring a professional caulking company will ensure that your home is not only fully protected but looks fantastic too. 

Indoor sealants and caulks

Caulking your bathtub, kitchen, laundry room is important to prevent water leaks.u . Caulking your kitchen or bathroom will create a watertight seal around key edges and faucets, ensuring your walls, fixtures, and flooring remains safe from water damage that could lead to harmful bacteria growth or even structural damage.

Alongside providing a cleaner and more attractive finish, another very popular benefit of indoor caulk, particularly in the kitchen, is that it can prevent small insects from entering your home and setting up a nest.

Durable caulking south shore of Montreal

Are you looking to waterproof your home? Here at Calfeutrage Apex, we specialize in both residential and commercial waterproofing. Our dedicated team can fully protect your property, helping to minimize heat loss, prevent infestations, reduce drafts, and prevent mould and mildew build-up.

We choose the best and most durable sealant products available on the market (Adfast, dow, valtec) . Our experienced team is using cutting-edge methods to properly and professionally seal every joint, surface, the material on every structure type.

Want to find out how we can help you?

Get in touch for a free quote today: 438-288-0338

info@calfeutrageapex.co