Why Polyurethane Caulk Is Better Than Urethane Acrylic Caulk

A trip to the hardware or home improvement for a tube of caulk can be a confusing experience. Trying to figure out the difference between polyurethane, acrylic, and urethane (among other types) and their uses can make your head spin. 

Today’s caulks and sealants perform better than ever. Both polyurethane and urethane acrylic caulk serve the same purpose: to fill gaps between building materials and to keep water and air out. But each type has unique qualities, so it’s important to know which type works best based on the job you’re doing. 

What is Polyurethane Caulk?

Polyurethane is an organic compound produced by the reaction of glycol and isocyanate. It is moisture- and corrosion-resistant - making it useful as a heavy-duty adhesive, sealant, and caulk. Polyurethane caulk can be applied with a caulk gun. In addition to its resistance to moisture, chemicals, and corrosion, polyurethane caulk provides excellent flexibility. It is flexible enough to resist cracking and loosening, when joints expand and contract. Polyurethane caulk is available in industrial strength as well as in a consumer-friendly ready-to-use form. 

What is Urethane Acrylic Caulk?

Acrylic Urethane Caulk offers the convenience of acrylic technology along with superb elastomeric qualities. As a performance sealant, it is easy to apply and can be used for both interior and exterior applications. Additionally, it can be applied to several surfaces including wood, siding, tile, and glass. Since it dries quickly, it reduces downtime before painting. Acrylic Urethane Caulk will outperform commonly-available latex caulk or “siliconized” acrylic caulk in most instances. 

What Are The Advantages Of Polyurethane Caulk?

Polyurethane is one of the best materials to use for sealing the exterior of your home and is often instead of silicone caulk. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Adherence. This is perhaps its greatest benefit of polyurethane caulk. It can adhere to several materials, which makes it excellent for creating seals between surfaces. It can be applied to plastic, concrete, wood, metal, and glass. It also adheres very well to vinyl siding, aluminum, and brick. Polyurethane caulking sticks to surfaces so well because it actually bonds to the material. 

  • Versatility. Polyurethane caulk can be painted, allowing you to give your home the flawless aesthetic you desire. And it is great for sealing together different types of materials, such as metal and wood or wood and glass.

  • Elasticity. Polyurethane caulk has an unmatched stretching ability – elasticity up to 300% or more. This is especially useful if you’re going to apply it to materials that expand and contract regularly. Polyurethane caulk can be used to fill indoor or outdoor gaps, 1 inch or more, and not lose its ability to create a perfect seal.

  • Flexibility. Exterior polyurethane caulk has similar flexibility to silicone, allowing it to absorb impact damage or expand and contract with changing temperatures.

  • Durability. Polyurethane caulking is also extremely durable lasting from 10-20 years, depending on the exposure. It’s also paintable and water-resistant which makes it an excellent choice for a variety of jobs and materials. 

Although polyurethane caulk can be more difficult to use and will cost more than standard caulking, the benefits will be worth it in the long run. It's possible polyurethane caulking could outlast the person who applied it.

At The Window Depot, we are the home improvement experts in the Tampa Bay area. If you need replacement windows, we offer vinyl and aluminum windows from the top manufacturers. All of the products we offer will provide decades of beauty and dependable performance. Call us at (813) 901-5555 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment or learn more about our products and services. You can also visit our showroom in Palm Harbor to view our windows firsthand.

 

Sources

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/the-different-effects-between-polyurethane-sealants-and-urethane-sealants 

http://www.housepaintingguide.org/what-is-the-difference-between-polyurethanes-and-urethanes

 

 

Location: 4154 Corporate Ct, Palm Harbor, FL 34683, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Benefits of Indoor & Outdoor Living with Sliding Glass Doors

Image
There is something serene about creating parts of your home that bring the fresh and peaceful feel of the outdoors inside. More people are releasing the boundaries of their homes to blend their outdoor living space with the interior of their homes. This shift creates a lifestyle change that promotes health and a connection to nature. Sliding glass doors can facilitate this redesign of your living space . Let's look at some benefits of incorporating sliding glass doors into your indoor/outdoor living space . Expand the Footprint of Your Home   Installing sliding glass doors as a clear divider between the indoors and outdoors will expand your living space. Homeowners can fill their outdoor space with furniture and elements that complement the interior design of their homes. The extra space can be a bonus for larger gatherings and celebrations, with room for more guests. But the upgraded transition to your outdoor area will not just be a benefit for entertaining your friend...
Read more

How to Repurpose Old Windows

Image
Your windows' look, color, and style can dramatically impact your home's aesthetic. So if you are replacing your old windows, there is no doubt that you are excited about the new look coming to your home. But before you toss those old windows in the dumpster, consider repurposing a few in clever ways. If you are willing to get creative and use a little bit of elbow grease, you might be compelled to repurpose your windows in these innovative ways.   Create a Photo Display If you have a window with a nice array of openings, you can add photos to each slot to create a beautiful new display frame for your wall. Depending on where you want to display the wall hanging, decide if you're going to turn the window vertically or horizontally. You can either sand the window down and give it a fresh coat of paint or let the imperfections shine for a rustic look.    Transform to a Table Larger square windows make the most stunning cocktail tables! Use the window as the top of the table...
Read more

Insurance Benefits of Impact Window & Doors

Image
  The 2021 hurricane season is only two months away. Many Tampa Bay area residents are already prepping their emergency kits, evacuation routes, and plywood for boarding up their home’s windows. However, before you head out to the hardware store to buy that plywood, there is a better way to protect your home and save you money - impact-resistant windows.  Installing impact windows and doors at your home offers several benefits. They provide excellent hurricane protection, protect your home from break-ins, and help lower your utility bills. But did you know that impact windows and doors can also lower your home insurance costs? Insurance Benefits of Impact Windows and Doors In 2015, the State of Florida passed Statute 627.0628 that reads: “a rate filing for residential property insurance must include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits, or other rate differentials, or appropriate reductions in deductibles, for properties on which fixtures or construction techniques demon...
Read more