There is a wide choice available when it comes to sealants for jobs around the home. They are used in a wide range of situations, from sealing around window and door frames such as those installed by Gloucester Double Glazing company to ensuring that worktops, showers and baths are protected against water creeping down the edges.

When it comes to choosing sealant, which type should you choose?

Type of job

The first thing you need to consider is the job you are doing; for example, if you are sealing around a bath or sink, you will need to make sure that you have a waterproof product. For sealing around external window or door frames, you may need to use a sealant that can be safely painted over once it is dry. It is always best where possible to use products that are specifically designed for the work that you are going to be completing.

For filling gaps around pipes and cables, you may need an expanding foam-type filler to ensure that the opening is completely sealed. Flexibility is another important consideration, particularly for joints in things such as guttering, which will expand and contract according to the climate.

Matching decor

The other major consideration when choosing silicone sealants is matching your decor and decoration choices. You can opt to use a coloured sealant to either blend with your tiles and fittings, or you can choose a contrasting colour to turn the seal into a feature.

In many cases people opt for white as a neutral choice and one that will go with pretty much anything. When buying sealants from specialists it is also possible to purchase clear silicone. While this is a good and unobtrusive choice when applied as a thin layer, it tends to take on a darker appearance if used in more depth and may look more obvious than a coloured alternative.

With any type of sealant, how successful your finished result is depends on how it is applied. As always, preparation is key. Make sure the surfaces you are applying the sealant to are clean and dry, particularly with regard to removing any traces of soap.

Use a proper sealant gun and make sure you cut the nozzle of the tube at a clean angle. Apply the sealant in one smooth run and keep a cup of water handy to dip your fingers in and smooth off the finish. Also keep some kitchen roll to hand to wipe off the excess from the gun and your fingers.