What Is The Difference Between Acrylic Sealer And Silicone Sealer?
Acrylic sealer and silicone sealer have completely different uses in the home and you need to understand the difference between the two.
14/04/2024
There is a vast difference between acrylic sealer and silicone sealer, especially when it comes down to sealer in bathrooms and kitchens but as both are known as a sealer, it can be confusing to know where to use what. If you love to dive into US YouTube or instructional videos, they often refer to acrylic sealer as caulking, hence the name caulking gun for the applicator tool used to apply sealer. Here in South Africa, we refer to them both as a sealer but below are the major differences between the two as well as an instructional video with helpful tips that I came across on TikTok.
GOOD TO KNOW
Acrylic sealer is used to fill gaps around fixtures and fittings in the home and can be painted over with all types of paint.
What is acrylic sealer?
First off, acrylic sealer is a water-based sealing product that can be used in the home for sealing around edges and filling small cracks and gaps. Acrylic sealers have become increasingly popular for home DIY enthusiasts because they are easy to use and easy to clean up. But there are other advantages of using acrylic sealers:
- Made using water-based acrylic resins, acrylic sealers are what you need for filling gaps around doors and windows, around skirting boards, to seal around cupboards and cabinets and anywhere else to fill small gaps.
- Because acrylic sealers are water-based, cleaning up afterwards is easy. Simply use a cloth or rag and soapy water to remove any residue left behind. You can also clean your hands and equipment with soapy water.
- An advantage of acrylic sealer over silicone sealer is that it can be painted over, which means that you can match the sealer with surrounding walls, fittings or fixtures.
- Acrylic sealer is not intended as a waterproof seal, although it does repel a small amount of water but is not recommended for areas with direct exposure to moisture or water.
GOOD TO KNOW
Silicone sealer is the correct sealer to use in bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other areas in the home that require a watertight or airtight sealer.
What is silicone sealer?
Silicone sealer, as the name denotes, contains silicone that gives it flexibility. This product provides a waterproof and airtight seal when applied as a filler between two surfaces. Silicone sealer is generally used in kitchens and bathrooms as well as other rooms that have to withstand high moisture or humidity for the following reasons:
- Silicone sealer provides a watertight seal when used around bathtubs, sinks, toilets or in shower cubicles. It is also ideal for sealing around sink fittings to provide a waterproof seal to protect countertops.
- Silicone sealer can not be painted over, so it is important to select the product colour when purchasing.
- It is important to choose a silicone sealer that provides protection against mould and mildew, particularly in wet or moist areas.
GOOD TO KNOW
When selecting silicone sealer for a bathroom, kitchen or other wet area, choose a product that is mould and mildew-resistant.
Watch the following TikTok short for more information on the difference between acrylic sealer (caulking) and silicone sealer:
@refreshhomeimprovements Do you know the difference between caulking and silicone? Let us break it down for you! #dapcanada ♬ original sound - Refresh