Every home and commercial building project requires proper sealing to make sure that the structures stay in place without a crack to their name. If your project is in the middle of sealing the doors and windows, then you may be in the middle of deciding whether or not to get caulk or silicone. To help you make the decision, here are some things to consider.

Caulk vs. Silicone: The Basics

What Is Caulk?

Caulk is a filler and sealant mainly used in construction and repair work to cover up gaps or seams tightly to prevent the outside elements from passing through. It can hold back both air and water as well as dust, smoke, and moisture. In painting applications, it is used to seal cracks.

What Is Silicone?

Silicone is also a type of sealant used to bind surfaces like metal, glass, and plastic together. This type of sealant is more flexible, so it is mainly used for DIY fixes.

Caulk vs. Silicone: Benefits

Caulk can dry much quicker than silicone and shows greater resistance to weathering, which makes it more ideal for newly built projects to last longer. It is fairly rigid when dry, which makes it airtight and watertight. It is, however, not flexible.

Silicone sealants are the opposite. they are more flexible, which makes them better for sealing areas prone to expansions. They can also be airtight as long as they are applied skillfully in indoor and outdoor projects. 

Applications of Caulk vs. Silicone

Caulking is predominantly used in construction sites, sealing cracks in the body of the structures—mainly slidings and window frames. It is often applied with a caulking gun, which is like a big glue gun except without the heat. It is also filled with a toothpaste-like compound that squeezes out like a piping bag. These are usually oil-based.

Silicone sealants are the choice for tall standing buildings and highway joints because of their ability to expand. With the hustle and bustle of the city moving around these buildings, more flexible sealants need to be used.

Similarities of Caulk and Silicone

Both of these sealants serve the same purpose: to keep the gaps in the home airtight and watertight to prevent the outside elements taking over the home. It may seem like a menial thing to care about sealants, but this job is very important to keep the building structure ready for the seasons and remain pest-free. 

Sealants like these two can save the building owners’ energy costs when there is no possible way for air to escape if they turn on the HVAC systems from the hot days of summer to the cold days of winter. It is well appreciated if you can do this as a service to the clients you serve.

Conclusion

Caulk and silicone have their own perks and disadvantages that you can weigh out yourself. The thing that matters most is that the sealing job is done right. If you aren’t an expert DIY handyman, then you need the help of professionals to get the job done. 

Are you looking for window caulking services in Brisbane? Quality Seal Australia is a leading provider of high-quality silicone and caulking services for the building industry. We cover kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and more related projects in Brisbane and Gold Coast.  Contact us today to get a quote for your project.