How to choose a neutral silicone sealant?

If this is your first time choosing a sealant, it is very easy to get confused. In the current stream of a huge number of sources of information and simply useless advertising in the article, we will analyze all aspects of the topic related to this choice. To begin with, we will give its definition, composition, then - its advantages and disadvantages. The article also contains a description of the brands and their products available on the market, some individual products are considered in a little more detail.

Neutral silicone sealant is a substance that serves as a means to ensure the tightness of seams or joints, a kind of glue. This product was invented in the 60s-70s of the XX century in the USA. It was most widespread in America and Canada because of the specifics of the construction methodology of this region. Nowadays, it is indispensable in many areas.

All silicone sealants have a similar composition, which can only sometimes change insignificantly. The basis is always the same - only the color or additional properties change. When choosing this product, of course, it is necessary to pay great attention to its additional properties based on the purposes of application.

The main components are as follows, namely:

• rubber;
• coupling activator;
• a substance that is responsible for elasticity;
• substance converter;
• dyes;
• adhesion fillers;
• antifungal agent.

Like all building materials ever invented by mankind, silicone sealant has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Among the advantages it should be noted:

• withstands temperatures from -50 ℃ to unrealistic +300 ℃;
• the material is sufficiently resistant to various external influences;
• not afraid of dampness, mold and mildew;
• has various color variations, in addition, a transparent (colorless) version is available.

There are much fewer disadvantages:

• there are staining problems;
• should not be applied to a damp surface.

As noted earlier, this material is used to perform work on the insulation of seams or joints. Work using this product can be done both indoors and outdoors. It is used for household and industrial purposes, for example, the Loctite brand, whose products we will consider below.

The main areas of application are as follows:

• sealing the joints of window frames both inside and outside the room;
• sealing of seams of drain pipes;
• used for roofing;
• filling joints on furniture and window sills;
• installation of mirrors;
• plumbing installation;
• sealing the junction of the bath and sinks to the walls.

In order to accurately choose a product, it is necessary to understand exactly where this material will be used, as well as what properties, basic or additional, it should have.

The main factors for the correct determination of the characteristics that form the final result - a successful purchase:

• you need to determine the color scheme - for sealing joints in the flooring, you can use dark colors, for example, gray;
• special attention should be paid to the fact that it is better to use a fire-resistant sealant ("Silotherm") for seams of surfaces with an increased risk of fire;
• if renovation is planned in the bathroom, the white color of the seal is ideal for this. In such rooms, due to humidity, fungus often multiplies, which causes the appearance of mold in the joints of the shower stall or other seams - use a sanitary type of product.

Of course, today a very large number of companies and brands are represented on the market that are engaged in the production of silicone sealant. To simplify the selection and save time, we present the most popular ones. Some of them have a narrower application, such as, for example, a fire retardant sealant.

The most common brands:

• Loctite;
• "Silotherm";
• "Moment";
• Ceresit;
• Ciki-Fix.

One of the most reliable manufacturers supplying high quality products is Loctite. The sealants of this company are of true German quality, since it itself is a division of the Henkel Group. The product of this manufacturer is widely used in various types of industry.

A worthy representative of Russia in the market of protective coatings is products that are manufactured under the brand name "Silotherm". The main names of the products of this company are "Silotherm" EP 120 and EP 71, these are high-temperature sealants. That is why the main areas of use are: fire-resistant insulation or sealing of cables at the entrance to the junction boxes. Delivery of sealant from this manufacturer is possible both in buckets and disposable tubes.

The range of the company:

• silicone fire retardant materials;
• silicone heat-conducting and dielectric materials;
• sealed cable penetrations and more.

Moment is a Russian brand. It is owned by the same German concern Henkel Group. On the territory of the Russian Federation, production is represented by a household chemicals plant (Leningrad region). The main products are glue and sealant. The company's products are supplied in 85 ml tubes and 300 ml and 280 ml cartridges.

The assortment of this brand:

• contact adhesive;
• glue for wood;
• polyurethane foam;
• wallpaper glue;

• adhesive tapes;
• stationery glue;
• Super glue;
• tile products;
• epoxy adhesive;
• sealants;
• assembly glue;
• alkaline batteries.

Moment sealants:

• seam restorer;
• silicone universal;
• sanitary;
• for windows and glass;
• neutral universal;
• neutral general construction;
• for aquariums;
• for mirrors;
• silicotek - protection against mold for 5 years;
• high temperature;
• bituminous;
• frost-resistant.

The next representative of the Henkel Group is Ceresit. The company that created this brand was founded in 1906 under the name Dattelner Bitumenwerke. And already in 1908 she produced the first sealant of this brand. Almost 80 years later, Henkel bought the brand. The company's product range includes materials for cladding, flooring, paint, waterproofing, sealing, etc.

Range of sealants:

• universal polyurethane;
• acrylic;
• sanitary silicone;
• universal silicone;
• glass sealant;
• elastic sealant;
• heat resistant;
• highly elastic;
• bituminous.

Packaging - 280 ml or 300 ml.

The most economical solution in terms of price is the Ciki-Fix sealant. Application - various minor construction and repair work. The area of ​​use is external and internal work. The colors are white and transparent. The quality meets European standards. Packaging - 280 ml cartridge.

First you need to prepare the surface for application: clean it from dust, moisture and degrease.

The most convenient way to apply the sealant is using a syringe:

• open the sealant;
• cut off the nose of the tube;
• insert the tube into the pistol;
• you can limit the required sealant application with masking tape.

For how to make a neat silicone seam, see the next video.