Polyurethane Sealant v/s Silicone Sealant – Which one’s the superior sealant for projects?

If you are confused about choosing between silicone sealants and polyurethane sealants for your project, this blog will help you make up your mind. 

As a result of its superior performance compared to polyurethane sealant, silicone sealant is becoming increasingly popular among professionals and DIYers alike.

It is a flexible material that has a broad variety of uses, from waterproofing surfaces to filling in gaps and cracks in walls.

It also has great bonding qualities and is weatherproof, making it perfect for outdoor use for up to 20 years! 

Additionally, compared to polyurethane sealants, silicone sealants are simpler to clean up, which makes them the preferred option for many tasks.

However, there are a number of things to think about before making a decision.

• Purpose and Function

If you want to fix a leaking faucet or seal a gap in your window, then you would want to use window silicone sealants for that purpose.

Silicone sealants are best for applications that require flexibility and movement, such as sealing windows, doors, and other joints that may expand and contract over time. 

However, if you have a project that requires bonding with high strength, such as sealing concrete or metal surfaces, then polyurethane sealants are a good choice.

• Durability

Silicone sealants tend to be more durable and long-lasting, especially when exposed to the natural elements, namely- rain, wind, dust or snow. 

They are also resistant to UV light, which means they won’t crack or break down over time. 

While PU sealants are also durable, they may break down faster when exposed to UV light.

• Application

Silicone sealants are easier to apply, as they can be smoothed out easily with a tool or your finger. There are a lot of variety in the types of silicone sealant you can go as per your requirement.

However, polyurethane sealants can be a bit more difficult to work with, as they tend to harden quickly and may require special tools to shape.

• Appearance

Silicone sealants are available in a wide range of colours, making it easier to match them to your project. 

Typically, Polyurethane sealants are only available in clear or a few basic colours. 

That being said, there are a few silicone sealant manufacturers that offer a customized range of PU sealants to satisfy the needs of customers like you.

Pros and Cons of PU Sealant

As written above, Polyurethane sealant has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. 

Now, let’s know more about Polyurethane sealant’s pros & cons that should be considered before selecting it for your project. 

Pros

• Polyurethane Sealant’s excellent adhesion: Polyurethane sealant is known for its strong adhesive properties, making it an ideal choice for projects where a strong bond is required.

• Durability of Polyurethane Sealant: Polyurethane sealant is highly durable, and resistant to water, chemicals, and weathering, making it suitable for outdoor applications.

• Versatility of PU Sealant: Polyurethane sealant can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including concrete, metal, wood, and plastic.

• Paintability of PU Sealant: PU sealants can be painted over once it has cured, making it easy to match the colour of the surrounding material.

Cons

• PU Sealant’s longer curing time: Naturally, PU sealants can take longer to cure than other types of sealant, which can slow down your project.

• Strong odour of Polyurethane Sealant: In general, PU sealants have a strong odour during application and curing, which can be unpleasant and requires good ventilation.

• PU Sealants are difficult to remove: Once cured, polyurethane sealant can be challenging to remove, requiring the use of solvents or special tools.

• PU Sealants offers limited colour options: Unlike silicone sealant, polyurethane sealant is only available in a limited range of colours.

Pros and Cons of Silicone sealant

Here are some of the pros and cons of using silicone sealant for your project.

Pros

• Silicone sealant’s remarkable flexibility: Silicone sealant remains flexible even after curing, making it ideal for projects where movement and expansion are expected.

• Silicone sealant’s great weather resistance: Suitable for outdoor use, waterproof silicone sealant is highly resistant to water, UV rays, and extreme temperatures.

• Silicone sealants are easy to apply and remove: Using silicone sealant is easy, and it can be smoothed out with a tool or your finger. If needed, it can also be easily removed with a knife or other sharp object.

• Versatility of Silicone sealant: As a highly versatile sealant, silicone can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including glass, metal, plastic, and wood.

Cons

• Longer curing time: Silicone sealant can take longer to cure than some other types of sealant, which can slow down your project.

• Limited adhesion: Due to its weak adhesion, silicone sealants may not be suitable for projects requiring strong adhesion.

• Not paintable: Silicone sealant is not designed to be painted over, so it can be difficult to match the colour of the surrounding material.

• More expensive: Silicone sealant is generally more expensive than other types of sealant, which can be a factor in larger projects.

Why Silicone Sealant is better than PU Sealant?

Between silicone sealant and polyurethane sealant, there are a lot of variations. 

The polyurethane sealant is composed of organic materials in their natural form, whereas the silicone sealant is composed of inorganic materials. 

This indicates that silicone sealant triumphs in nearly all categories, while polyurethane sealant can be modified in some ways, such as being painted. 

Silicone sealant is more flexible because it is simpler to apply in a variety of situations and will last for a long time, so you won’t need to apply new sealant all the time.

How Bondzil Sealants Can Help You With Your Project?

Bondzil sealants can be a useful tool for a variety of projects, as they are designed to seal and protect surfaces from moisture, air, and other potential damage. 

With excellent adhesion, Bondzil sealants can bond strongly to metal, plastic, and wood surfaces and are highly effective at preventing water to seep through cracks and gaps in surfaces, making them ideal for sealing leaks in pipes and roofs.

In addition to being highly flexible, Bondzil sealants provide excellent protection against UV radiation, extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, and bending without cracking or breaking. 

With Bondzil, you can stay assured that your valuable projects will remain in perfect shape. Choose Bondzil and enjoy effective and long-lasting solutions for sealing and protecting surfaces.

Read more business articles from our guest authors at SugerMint.