Whether you are building a new home, renovating, or working on a commercial building, sealing materials are a vital component to the structural integrity of the building project. With so many factors going into a construction project, decisions like choosing your sealing material may feel overwhelming. With that in mind, a sealant professional can provide all of the information necessary. However, it does not hurt to know the basics yourself. Below you will find information about the best sealing materials and why they are so important. 

The Importance of Sealing Materials

Sealing materials are embedded in the joints of buildings to ensure both air and water tightness. Without sealant, your home or building will be vulnerable to the outdoor elements, like wind, rain, snow, and debris. Issues such as water damage can arise without proper sealant.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Sealing Material

It is best to consult with a skilled professional about which sealant is right for your specific project. However, there are multiple factors to consider when choosing your sealant material.

• Air Tightness: Wind can bring debris and water into your building. So having an air-tight sealant is vital for the long-term safety of your structure.
• Water Tightness: Similar to airtightness, ensuring that water cannot penetrate your sealant and the joints of your building are important. Water damage can lead to mold and a variety of other health risks.
• Bonding Performance: A good sealant won’t have issues bonding to various surfaces. The material has one purpose. And the initial bonding is vital for overall performance.
• Heat Resistant: Depending on your structure, the surrounding areas, and the geographic location this may differ depending on your needs. However, resistance to heat is vital for the sealant to stay intact long-term.
• Age Resistance: While renovations do happen, having a sealant that can last decades is important as you don’t want to have to constantly address sealant issues. 
• Tension-Compression Cycling Performance: Structures inevitably move even if it is slight. A sealant needs to maintain its integrity when it is both stretched (tension) and pushed together (compression) without causing sealant issues.

Best Sealing Materials

Finding the right sealing material for your project can be the difference between peace of mind or a headache later on. Depending on your project and the joints being sealed, your sealant will likely vary. For example, outdoor joints will require sealant materials that are water and age-resistant. At the same time, expansion joints require sealant materials that are strong enough performance-wise for a lot of tension and compression.

For the best sealant materials specific to your project, specialty seal manufacturers can provide you with curated formulas to ensure your sealant will last. Materials such as EPDM, fluorocarbon, silicone, NBR, and HNBR can be utilized. And a seal manufacturer can create a formula with specific technologies to meet your specific needs. With the amount of money allocated to construction, the sealant is not an area to spare any expense. It is essentially the glue that holds the integrity of the structure together. It’s important to do your own research, but consulting with a professional is the best decision for the long-term strength of your building project.

Specialty Seal Manufacturers

Real seal is a manufacturer and distributor of seal products and mechanical component goods. Established in 1970, the company has had decades of experience in the industry with excellent consumer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. As one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry, Real Seal maintains a fully equipped laboratory with a full-time chemist and technical staff. Contact specialty seal manufacturers today with any questions you have related to your sealing needs.