3 Perks Of Polyurethane Caulk: Why It’s The Best Sealant

Caulk is a form of sealant that is used in home remodeling or construction to fill up spaces to prevent air and moisture from entering a property. This is effective in helping make the interior more comfortable while also helping the owner to keep their utility costs low. There are many different formulations of caulk which include polyurethane and silicone caulk. Find out more about the perks of using polyurethane caulk and why it is the best option.

Corrosion Resistance and High Flexibility

It is believed by majority of experts that polyurethane caulk is one of the best of all the sealants available. This is owing to its material offering some of the best attributes of other sealants in a convenient form that is easy to be applied in various conditions. Through the reaction between an isocyanate and glycol, polyurethane is created which is an organic compound that can resist corrosion and moisture. This makes it suitable to be used on applications where there is a need for a heavy-duty sealant. The compound also is highly flexible and can resist loosening when used to fill joints as they contract and expand. Polyurethane sealants are also some of the most widely used for renovations as well as new construction projects. The sealant is often used for gutters, roofing, foundations, isolation joints, and expansion and control joints.

No Mixing or Special Equipment Necessary

One major benefit of using polyurethane caulk is that no mixing or special equipment is necessary. It is sold in a standard 10-ounce size and comes in single component cartridges. Application is also easy even though some smoothing out is needed as it can be stringy in appearance. However, the process is overall simple and it is almost impossible to fail as long as it is applied onto a clean surface. The two formats of polyurethane caulking include the non-sagging formula which is for applying around doors or windows, in gaps in wood siding, and in expansion joints in concrete block. Another format is the self-leveling formulate which is suitable for control joints in concrete flooring as it has high resistance to abrasion. Polyurethane caulk can also be used to seal up large gaps that span over an inch or more. Additionally, it is so much easier to clean up as compared to silicone varieties as it only takes around a day for it to dry fully. However, do note that once it has dried up completely, it will be difficult to remove as it has hardened up.

Lower Cost

When planning a home remodeling or construction project, cost is often one of the factors that gets considered. Polyurethane caulk can cost roughly half as much as silicone varieties. However, it does require slightly more labor. The first application of both the polyurethane caulk and other silicone varieties requires roughly the same amount of time but polyurethane may need greater maintenance, especially in areas where there is sunlight. When selecting polyurethane caulk, the more expensive it is, it usually means the higher is its quality.