Your house will develop cracks as it ages, and you would need an efficient material to fill the cracks or the joints between tiles. Caulk and sealants fill the cracks, and it might be overwhelming choosing one over another.
So, what is the difference between caulk and sealant? The main difference between caulk and sealant is they have different elasticities and surface applications. Caulk and sealants are materials used to fill cracks and spaces in a building. The sealants and caulks are applied to the cracks and joints using a caulking gun which precisely delivers the material to the cracks and openings.
Read on to learn more about the caulk and sealant difference to know the right material for your next project.
Elasticity
Caulk is rigid as it is made of acrylic and latex material, thus shrinking when cured. The caulk may be suitable for filling the spaces between the tiles in a home as it is rigid and would hold the tiles in place.
Therefore you would use caulk to seal cracks in the housing body as it is less prone to movement and would hold the building well. However, caulk may not be resistant to moisture and is least weather resistant. It is better to avoid using it in high humid rooms and the house exterior.
On the other hand, sealants are super elastic as they are made of silicone, and they work best in humid rooms and place with temperature fluctuations. The sealants may be suitable for fixing cracks in the drainage system as it maintains airtight properties despite temperature fluctuations. Thus you would use sealants in your bathroom, kitchen, doors, and windows. The sealant fixes small surfaces of the tiles and faucets together.
Rate of Drying
Since caulk is made of acrylic, it dries quickly without showing weakness. Thus, if you want a quick fix when hosting guests, you can fill the spaces in your room. Moreover, when cured, you can paint over the caulk surface, making it ideal for all home improvement projects. Contrarily sealants dry slowly as they are mainly made of silicone, and you would give it more time to cure before walking or touching the sealed cracks. Unfortunately, you may not paint over the sealants and would be best suited for the cracks in the hidden areas.
Which One Is Better
You can either opt for caulk or a sealant depending on the project at hand. For instance, caulk is easy to apply comes in different materials, making it easy to choose the ones best suited for your home. You can also paint over the caulk, but it is easy to crack as it is brittle, cannot handle high temperatures, and is not ideal for porous surfaces.
On the other hand, sealants are more water-resistant than caulk, flexible material that allows for more versatile uses and withstands high humidity. However, it is harder to apply, degrades over time, is hard to remove after application, cannot be painted over, and has a strong odor.
Final Thoughts
When repairing cracks or filling openings in your home, you may need caulks, sealants, or both. Therefore it is better to understand their difference and applications before purchasing them. Both have different functions and are suited for different areas in your home; good luck finding the sealant which works well for your project.