Browsing the aisles of your local hardware store, you’ll notice that there are many options to choose from when it comes to sealing products – whole rows in fact.
While the broad choice can be a bit overwhelming, if you know what to look for, you’ll soon cut through and find exactly what will work best with Fielders® cladding.
For starters, choose a sealant that’s been specifically designed for use with steel, that means finding a ‘neutral-cure silicone’. This type of silicone is proven, and has been successfully used on a range of steel surfaces, from roofing and walling through to steel flashings, cappings and gutters for many years.
What makes neutral-cure silicone sealants different to other silicone sealants?
The important difference is that some silicone sealants have an acidic additive that gives off an aggressive by-product during curing, which can damage the steel surface. These sealants often have a vinegar or ammonia type smell. Don’t rely on your nose though, check the label and ensure what you’ve chosen is compatible with steel.
The benefits of using neutral-cure silicone sealants:
- Won’t damage the steel
- Provides good adhesion to the steel surface for both roofing and walling
- Are resistant to cold and heat while retaining good flexibility
- Offer strong resistance to ultra-violet rays
- Are excellent gap fillers
- Have along service life
Remember though, that most sealants are not adhesive, so the steel cladding, rainwater goods or flashings still need proper fixing with approved fasteners.
Also, if the silicone will be visible and post painting is needed, ensure the natural-cure silicone you choose is paintable. It is possible to paint over standard natural-cure silicone but this is more work, as the surface needs to be abrased to allow paint adhesion. Multiple coats of paint will be needed to ensure good coverage, and the process also requires a steady hand so the steel surface isn’t damaged during paint preparation.