Can you please explain the difference in uses, and applications for foam sealer vs. silicone. Any advantages of one over the other??
Thanks
pb4sc
2007-03-05 09:10:41 · 6 answers · asked by PB4SC 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
the foam sealer is used for sealing large gaps (around windows,doors,where pipes come into a wall) to keep air/drafts out and is water resitant to a point, silcone is more of a sealer for small gaps and is 100% water proof (great for tubs,sinks,any where there is water)
2007-03-05 09:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by jeff g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Silicone products I am familiar with are in the caulk category. Sealing together surfaces, even dissimilar ones. Only small cracks though. Water resistant, some are UV resistant as well. Usually can't paint over most versions of this.
Great Stuff is an expanding foam with insulating properties. Can fill large caps depending on what flavor you buy. Not suitable for caulking. Darkens in the sunlight. You can paint over it. Insulating and sealing applications.
2007-03-05 09:19:45 · answer #2 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Foam sealer is for interior applications that will be painted over or covered with wood. The silicone is for exterior or wet-locations.
The Great stuff is easier to use for filling a hole or insulating a gap. But if uncovered it turns to white powder.
The silicon will keep out water but has negligible insulating capability.
2007-03-05 09:53:32 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
expanding foam sealer is used to fix irregular gaps after building work, for example to take up the gap around the edge of a window frame when its installed. its advantage is that it fills larger irregular gaps quickly and sets quickly, its disadvantages are people get carried away with squirting too much of it in not realising how much it will expand. also burglars disable intruder alarm bell boxes with the stuff.
silicon is used as a frame sealer and waterproof sealer round worktops, showers, external upvc windows etc.
2007-03-05 09:19:00 · answer #4 · answered by fast eddie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They both have there specific purpose, expanding foam types are better for covering gaps where air or heat loss is the goal.
Silicone is better for water tight sealing.
The expanding foam is basically a one use type of deal. So even if you dont use the whole can, the whole can is unusable afterwards. For a tight wad like me thats just a waist of money.
2007-03-05 09:19:53 · answer #5 · answered by Tyson boy's dad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great stuff expands to fill large cracks and voids. Silicone caulk is used on smaller, visible places as a weather sealant
2007-03-05 09:18:32 · answer #6 · answered by bel81gre 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋