When installing plastic windows, some installers poorly seal joints and cracks, areas of contact between the windowsill and slopes. During operation, warm air escapes through such openings, moisture penetrates, so they must be eliminated. In order to repair defects or to independently install new slopes, you need to purchase a good window sealant and study the methodology for its use.
- When to seal windows
- What is sealant
- Types of window sealants and their features
- Silicone sealant
- Acrylic Sealant
- PVC based sealant (polymer)
- Polyurethane sealant
- Butyl Sealant
- Thiokol Sealant
- Acrylate Sealant
- Cork sealant
- Criterias of choice
- TOP 7 best window sealants
- Ceresit cs 25
- Belinka Belsil Sanitary Acetate
- “Herment moment is neutral”
- KRASS Universal
- Tangit s400
- Dow corning 7091
- CIKI FIX Universal
- How to use sealant correctly
When to seal windows
Installation of plastic windows has a number of features and requires strict adherence to technology. If you violate the installation rules, the tightness of the products will be incomplete, which will greatly affect the quality and durability. Most often, windows are set in the warm season, when it is almost impossible to detect blowing and freezing. But when the onset of cold weather, all problems are quickly detected.
The main signs that it is time to seal the windows are as follows:
- condensation appears on the glass;
- moisture accumulates on the windowsill;
- in the corners, on the slopes there is mold;
- when checking with a hand, a draft is felt;
- the temperature in the room decreases.
If the window is installed correctly, the technology is followed, then it does not blow out, as a result, the room becomes as protected as possible from external factors. Tightly sealed seams allow water and cold air to pass through, so immediately after a problem occurs, window sealant should be used.
to contents ↑What is sealant
A sealant is a type of adhesive composition, a plastic paste-like mass based on polymers that dries after a certain period of time after application and prevents leakage or penetration of moisture and air. In other words, this mounting composition is used to seal joints, since it is able to form a moisture-proof and airtight seam.
Sealant for plastic windows is an indispensable thing. It gives the design a more aesthetic appearance (available in white or transparent), protects against temperature changes, negative atmospheric effects.
A sealant is applied around the entire perimeter of the window to provide double-glazed windows with additional insulation. Some compounds turn yellow over time, therefore, are not suitable for window installation - a high-quality sealant should serve without changing the shape, color, thickness and structure.
Types of window sealants and their features
Window sealants are sold in different variations depending on the base. Many formulations include solvents, and polymerization occurs as the latter evaporate. Water-based products are considered more environmentally friendly, but their drying process lasts an order of magnitude longer.Sealants are available in tubes, cartridges, banks, buckets of various sizes.
Silicone sealant
Silicone is based on artificial rubber. It is considered a universal material suitable for almost all types of substrates - plastic, metal, wood and others, suitable for external and internal works.
Silicone sealants are highly elastic, can be used even on deformable surfaces, are easy to use, dry quickly, and have excellent adhesive properties.
All silicone-based products can be divided into the following groups:
- Acidic. They have a low price, but they smell bad due to the presence of acids in the composition. For the same reason, they are not suitable for metal, as they can cause corrosion, they can spoil a natural stone.
- Neutral Ideal for indoor and outdoor use, odorless, neutral with respect to any materials - they will not spoil even marble, amalgam of mirrors.
- Sanitary. They can be vinegar or neutral, but have one obligatory property: they have a powerful antifungal effect due to fungicides in the composition. Recommended for rooms with high humidity.
Acrylic Sealant
Acrylic based sealants are also often used in the installation and repair of plastic windows. They are easy to apply, just as easily removed from the surface before polymerization, do not turn yellow from the influence of ultraviolet radiation, tolerate temperature increase and decrease, do not allow moisture to pass through. Nevertheless, the vapor permeability of acrylic is higher than that of silicone, so it is able to absorb vapors and darken over time. Acrylic sealants are not suitable for deformable substrates.since they do not differ in good elasticity.
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PVC based sealant (polymer)
Means based on MS-polymers are also called liquid plastic. They have a minimum drying time (about 1–2 hours), a high degree of adhesion with plastic - after pouring into cracks, they form a single structure with PVC, seeping into the upper layers of the material. From severe loads or deformations, polymer sealants can burstwhat to consider when using.
to contents ↑Polyurethane sealant
It is a viscous material of high elasticity, absolutely waterproof, retaining shape regardless of the influence of external factors. Polyurethane compounds do not react to water, temperature changes, UV radiation, are frost-resistant, and after drying they can be painted or varnished.
to contents ↑Indoors, it is better not to work with polyurethane, since it contains harmful organic solvents. The service life of a polyurethane seam can reach 25 years, so this composition is considered an ideal option for external window closure.
Butyl Sealant
A tool based on polyisobutylene - a viscous rubber-like substance - well suited for interior use. It increases the strength characteristics of the composition of chalk, which enhances adhesion to concrete, plastic, metal and other materials. The sealant works without loss of properties at temperatures of –55 ... + 100 degrees, is resistant to ultraviolet, is not harmful to human health and the environment. Butyl sealants are vapor permeable, therefore they are more often used for external repair of double-glazed windows, they are elastic and do not crumble when the base is deformed.
Thiokol Sealant
Such sealants are based on polysulfide compounds, therefore freeze quickly in any weather, humidity. Most often they are used if there is a need to close up cracks in the frosty period or during rain.Sealants from this group easily tolerate the effects of weak acids and alkalis, petrochemicals, oils, they are not afraid of precipitation and ultraviolet.
to contents ↑Acrylate Sealant
Tools are widely used for installing plastic windows, suitable for exterior and interior use. Sealants can be used at subzero temperatures, they are highly adhesive to plastic, concrete, brick, aluminum, wood, UV resistant, applied by various methods - with a gun, spatula, syringe.
The store has two popular acrylate compounds:
- "Stiz A". The sealant is intended for sealing joints between double-glazed windows and window openings outside the building. When applying the product, moisture from the foam is discharged to the outside, which improves the thermal insulation of the window.
- "Stiz V." This composition is used for internal work. It interferes with moisture and steam penetrate into joints from the room. It is usually applied together with Sealant A sealant.
Cork sealant
This is a novelty among sealants containing cork chips (up to 90% of the total weight of the product). Cork composition is used to seal various building structures, floor installation, heat protection systems, to improve sound insulation and fill assembly joints. If the sealant fits the window in color, it can be used to install plastic double-glazed windows.
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Criterias of choice
In order not to know the problems with the operation of windows, you need to immediately choose a quality product and apply it correctly. It is worth choosing a known brand sealant without saving and not looking for the cheapest composition.
Here are the main criteria by which a sealant should be bought:
- The color of the composition. Selected according to the main tone of the window. Most often, white is used. If the desired shade is not on sale, it is recommended to buy a transparent composition.
- The presence of antiseptic additives. It is better if such substances are present in the sealant, even if it is planned to be used only for outdoor use.
- Elasticity. Low-elastic compounds should be used only in old houses that no longer shrink.
- Good adhesion. The sealant must reliably adhere precisely to those base materials on which it will be applied, as well as to PVC.
- UV resistance. If this property is absent, then the sealed seam will quickly turn yellow and take on an unaesthetic appearance.
- Thixotropy and viscosity. A good sealant is quite thick, does not flow down from vertical bases, because most often it is applied to such surfaces.
- Chemical neutrality. You need to make sure that the sealant does not contain substances that can damage the glass or base material.
to contents ↑When buying, it is necessary to take into account the time of year in which the filling of cracks or fastening of slopes will be carried out. For autumn, winter, it is better to use polyurethane or thiokol sealants, with sudden changes in temperature you can buy a butyl compound. In order to save on sealing external seams, acrylics are used, but for internal work it is worth choosing a different composition.
TOP 7 best window sealants
To buy a really worthwhile tool, you can pay attention to the list of the most popular window sealants.
Ceresit cs 25
This silicone based sealant is one of the best for sealing any voids, cracks, joints. It can be used as a grout or sealing compound, as well as an anti-mold agent (due to the presence of antifungal additives). The sealant is universal, suitable for most building materials, easy to apply and quickly cleaned before polymerization.
Belinka Belsil Sanitary Acetate
Silicone sealant contains a large amount of fungicides, therefore, for a long time it serves without the risk of black coating. The material is highly viscous and does not flow down from vertical bases, has serious adhesion indicators.
to contents ↑“Herment moment is neutral”
It can be used for exterior and interior use. It does not provoke metal corrosion; it is combined with any, even delicate materials and bases having an alkaline environment. It is odorless, heat resistant.
to contents ↑KRASS Universal
Acrylic is considered professional, it is often used by masters in the installation of windows. The sealant does not shrink during the service, has reliable adhesion to the bases, does not spread, evenly fills the seams. Suitable for mobile and stationary joints, fireproof, fungus resistant, heat resistant.
Tangit s400
The sealant is considered one of the most resistant to the growth of mold, because it contains an increased concentration of fungicides. It lays well even on glossy materials, waterproof, durable, is available in different color variations.
Dow corning 7091
It does not provoke corrosion of steel, other metals, does not contain acids. It cures by means of air humidity, and includes antifungal additives. The composition can be used to seal windows made of any materials.
CIKI FIX Universal
Inexpensive sealant, characterized by high elasticity, does not crack, does not wash out, during operation, a black coating does not form on the seam. It is multifunctional, odorless, heat resistant. It is best to use indoor composition with good ventilation.
to contents ↑How to use sealant correctly
Sealing windows can be done with your own hands. First, you need to prepare tools and consumables - masking tape, a container of water, a gun for sealant, a spatula. The slopes are covered with tape to protect them from contamination and save time on rubbing. The working field is cleaned of dust, grease, dirt, but only allowed solvents (without acetone) are used for degreasing.
The sealant is squeezed out of the tube, previously inserted into the gun. The nose is placed so that it smooths the material. Irregularities, pits immediately level with a narrow spatula, wetting it with water. This will improve the adhesion of the seam to the base and eliminate the appearance of voids. The remains of the sealant together with the masking tape are removed before solidification, otherwise the integrity of the seams may be impaired. Too wide gaps pre-lay a special sealing cord - this will help reduce material consumption.
Sealing is done in parts to prevent solidification of the seams before they are finished. Perform manipulations on one side of the window, and only after completion of work move to another area. From the outside, the product is applied only in the low tide zone and on the side parts - in other places, the presence of sealant can cause moisture to accumulate in the foam. In such areas, the installation of vapor-permeable tape should be carried out and plastering them. Correctly performed work ensures the durability of the service of double-glazed windows and the optimization of thermal conductivity of the walls.
