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Construction SEALANTS

How Sealants Are Used in Construction

Sealants serve several important functions in construction including preventing water infiltration, air leakage, and the passage of dust, noise, or other environmental factors. Here’s how sealants are typically used in construction:
  • Weatherproofing: Our products inherently have excellent, long-term weatherability. This is because there is almost no solvent resulting in no shrinkage. Our products have excellent joint movement capability, recover from thermal expansion stresses and UV resistance for exterior seams. ALL of these contribute to extreme longevity.
  • Control Joints: Control joints are used to control the cracking of concrete or masonry surfaces. Sealants are applied to these joints to prevent the intrusion of water, which can weaken the structure over time. Control joints are commonly found in concrete floors, sidewalks, and driveways.
  • Expansion Joints: In structures that are subject to expansion and contraction due to temperature variations or settling, sealants are applied to expansion joints. These joints allow for movement while maintaining a watertight and airtight seal. Common locations for expansion joints include bridges, highways, and buildings.
  • Glazing: Sealants are used in the installation of glass windows and curtain walls to create a secure and weather-resistant seal. They help hold the glass in place and prevent water and air from penetrating the building envelope.
  • Roofing: Why InnoStar? InnoStar butyls used in standing seam roofing meet or exceed all MBMA & relevant ASTM specifications. Low VOCs enable LEED points for many building constructions. Check with your InnoStar representative for more details.
  • Acoustic Sealing: InnoStar sealants have excellent elasticity which enables the absorption of vibration & mitigates sound transmission.
  • Airtightness: InnoStar sealants provide excellent primerless adhesion which prevents separation away from the bonding surface and stops the air leaks.
  • Firestopping: Firestop sealants are used to seal penetrations in walls and floors to prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building. They are a crucial component of fire protection systems and help maintain the integrity of fire-rated assemblies.

When using sealants in construction, it’s important to choose the right type of sealant for the specific application and ensure proper surface preparation and installation to achieve a durable and effective seal. Different sealants are designed for various conditions, such as indoor or outdoor use, exposure to UV radiation, high or low temperatures, or contact with chemicals, so selecting the appropriate sealant is crucial for long-term performance.

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