Polyurethane sealant:
Tough, and then some
Polyurethane sealant:
Tough, and then some
It’s strong and it’s tough! Discover how you can benefit from the many great attributes of polyurethane sealant, the professional’s choice.
A professional grade sealant, polyurethane sealant (sometimes called polyurethane caulk) is regarded as one of the strongest sealers available on the market. It is highly regarded for fantastic abrasion and tear resistance, its suitability for a wide range of joint sizes and its compatibility with many different materials, including wood, metal and stone.
Due to this broad range of positive attributes, polyurethane sealant is most commonly used in the building and construction trades for a number of different purposes. These include sealing joints in floors, roofs, walls and, due to its toughness and waterproof characteristics, drainpipes and gutters. Polyurethane sealer dries to form a strong and elastic-type seal that can make it resistant to any movement in the joint.
Not every flexible polyurethane caulk is created equal – some may have a smaller range of joint movement resistance than others, so be sure to check the label or ask an in-store expert before purchasing.
The biggest difference between silicone and polyurethane sealants is chemical composition. Simply put, polyurethane is polymer composed of organic units, while silicone is inorganic. Because of its organic nature, the attributes of a polyurethane sealant can be enhanced – its adhesiveness, elasticity and UV resistance, for example, can all be boosted.
However, silicone, while generally more expensive, does have its advantages – for a start, because it is inorganic it is naturally more resistant to UV radiation and more weatherproof in general. This pays off in terms of lifespan. While a polyurethane sealant will typically last from five to 10 years, its silicone equivalent will be good for over 20 years.