FAQS
Sealants & Adhesives
How do I choose the right sealant?
The right sealant depends on what you are
sealing, the substrates involved and the conditions the sealant will be exposed
to.
Factors such as movement, adhesion,
flexibility, weather exposure, colour, paintability and compatibility with the
substrate should all be considered.
If you're unsure, tell us what materials you
are working with and what you need the sealant to do, and our team can
recommend suitable options.
What is the difference between a sealant and an adhesive?
An adhesive is primarily designed to
bond two materials together, while a sealant is designed to seal a joint
and accommodate movement between substrates.
Some modern products combine both functions.
Hybrid polymer products such as Soudal Fix ALL provide strong adhesion
while also creating a flexible seal.
What's the difference between silicone and hybrid polymer sealant?
Silicone sealants are widely used where
excellent flexibility, weather resistance and long-term durability are
required.
Hybrid polymer sealants can provide strong
adhesion as well as sealing properties and are often suitable where paintability, high initial grab or adhesion to a wide range of substrates is required.
The best option depends on the application.
What fire-rated sealants and foams do you supply?
Sealfix supplies a range of fire-rated sealants and expanding foams
for applications where fire and smoke resistance is required.
Our range includes Soudal Fire Silicone B1 FR, Firecryl FR,
Soudafoam FR and B1/B2 fire-rated expanding foams, with different
products available for different applications and installation requirements.
The correct product will depend on the substrates, joint or gap, application and required fire-rating specification. If you're unsure
which product is suitable, contact the Sealfix team and we'll be happy to help.
Which sealant should I use for UPVC?
There are several suitable options depending
on the application. For general sealing around UPVC, a suitable silicone or
hybrid polymer may be appropriate.
For example, Soudal Silirub N is a
general-purpose silicone, while Fix ALL products can provide both
bonding and sealing properties.
If you're sealing a particular UPVC profile or joint, contact us with details of the application and we can help identify a
suitable product.
Which sealant should I use around windows?
The correct product depends on the materials
being joined and whether the seal is internal or external.
For external applications, factors such as UV resistance, weather resistance, movement and substrate compatibility are
important.
For glazing applications, it is particularly
important to use a product that is compatible with the glass, frame and sealed
unit.
Can silicone sealant be painted?
Standard silicone sealants are generally not paintable, as most paints will not adhere properly to silicone.
If you need a seal that can be painted, a
suitable hybrid polymer such as Fix ALL Flexi may be a better option.
Can silicone be used on natural stone such as marble?
Standard silicone can contain silicone oils
that may migrate into porous natural stone and cause dark staining around the
edge of the seal. This is known as edge-of-seal contamination.
For marble, granite and other natural stone
surfaces, we recommend using a natural-stone-compatible sealant specifically formulated to prevent this problem.
What does
"neutral cure" silicone mean?
Neutral cure silicones cure without releasing
the acidic by-products associated with traditional acetoxy silicones.
This makes them suitable for a wider range of
substrates, including materials where an acidic cure may cause compatibility or
corrosion issues.
What does "low modulus" mean?
A low-modulus sealant is generally softer and
more flexible than a high-modulus sealant. This allows it to accommodate
greater movement within a joint.
Low-modulus silicones are commonly used where
movement between substrates needs to be accommodated.
Which silicone should I use – Silirub N, LMN or Silirub 2?
The three products have different
specifications and applications:
Silirub N – General-purpose silicone,
available in 7 colours.
Silirub LMN – Higher-performance
silicone, available in 13 colours and certified to ISO 11600 F&G 25 LM.
Silirub 2 – Premium 100% silicone,
available in 24 colours, certified to ISO 11600 F&G 25 LM and suitable for
applications involving sealed units.
If you're unsure which one you need, contact
our team for advice.
Which product can be used in direct contact with sealed units?
Silirub 2 is certified for
applications involving direct contact with sealed units.
Always ensure the product is suitable for the
specific application before use.
PU Foam & Foam Guns
What is PU foam used for?
PU foam is commonly used for filling gaps,
insulating, sealing and fixing in construction and installation
applications.
Different foams have different
characteristics, including expansion, yield, fire rating and application
method. Choosing the correct foam is important for the job.
What's the
difference between gun-grade and handheld PU foam?
Gun-grade foam is applied
using a compatible foam gun, allowing greater control over the amount of foam
dispensed and making it particularly useful for professional applications.
Handheld foam uses an
attached applicator straw and is convenient for smaller or occasional
applications.
How should
I store PU foam?
Store PU foam cans in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions, generally in a cool, dry location away from
direct sunlight and sources of heat.
Always check the product label for the
specific storage requirements.
How should
I store an opened can of gun foam?
Where possible, keep the can securely attached
to the foam gun.
If you remove the can, clean the gun and valve
with a suitable Gun & Foam Cleaner.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions
when changing or storing foam cans.
How do I
remove fresh PU foam?
Fresh, uncured PU foam can generally be
removed using a suitable PU Foam Cleaner.
Once PU foam has cured, it becomes much more
difficult to remove and normally needs to be removed mechanically or with a
specialist cured-foam remover.
Can cured
PU foam be removed?
Yes, but cured foam is considerably more
difficult to remove than fresh foam. It can usually be removed mechanically or
with a product specifically designed for removing cured PU foam.
Take care not to damage the underlying
surface.
Glazing & Window Products
What
sealant should I use for glazing?
The correct product depends on the glazing
system, substrate and application.
For example, some glazing applications require
a specific silicone with the appropriate adhesion, movement and compatibility
characteristics.
If you're unsure, give us the details of the
glazing application and we can help identify suitable products.
Can I use
any silicone around a sealed unit?
No. Not all silicones are suitable for use in
direct contact with sealed units.
It is important to check the manufacturer's
compatibility and certification requirements before application.
Silirub 2 is certified for
applications involving direct contact with sealed units.
What are
glazing packers used for?
Glazing packers are used to support and
correctly position glass within a frame, helping to distribute the weight
of the glass and maintain the correct positioning.
The correct size and type of packer will
depend on the glazing system and application.
Do you
supply glazing accessories?
Yes. Sealfix supplies a range of glazing and
window fabrication products, including glazing packers, fixing lugs, screws,
sealants, adhesives, PU foam and application tools.
Plastics, Fascia & Trim
Do you
supply plastics, fascia, soffit and rainwater goods?
Yes. Sealfix stocks products from Liniar,
Kestrel, Deeplas and Brett Martin, including fascia, soffit, trim and
rainwater products.
We offer a wide range of colours and sizes and
can also arrange bespoke colour-matched trim to specific RAL colours
where required.
Can I buy
plastics and trim by the individual length?
Yes. Depending on the product and colour, we
can supply plastics and trim by individual length rather than requiring a
full pack.
Contact us with your requirements and we can
confirm availability.
Can you
colour-match plastic trim?
Yes.
With the growing demand for different colour options, we can offer trim
sprayed to a specific RAL colour where required, providing a more bespoke
solution for your project.
Tools & Accessories
Which foam
gun should I use?
The choice of foam gun depends on how
frequently you use PU foam and the level of control required.
For regular professional use, a quality metal
foam gun can provide greater durability and control. We offer a range of foam
guns, including extended guns for reaching difficult areas.
What
caulking gun do I need?
Caulking guns are available in different
designs and qualities depending on the type and volume of work.
For occasional use, a standard skeleton gun
may be suitable. For regular professional applications, a heavy-duty or
dripless gun can provide better control and durability.
If you're unsure, tell us what product you're
applying and how frequently you use it and we can help.
Delivery & Ordering
What are
your delivery charges?
Orders under £195 net are subject to a £5.95
delivery charge.
Orders over £195 net qualify for free
carriage.
If you require delivery at a specific time,
additional charges may apply depending on the delivery location and time
required. Please contact us for further information.
Can you
deliver directly to site?
Yes. We offer a local delivery service
and can deliver orders to a specified site.
Please contact info@sealfix.co.uk to
discuss your requirements.
Do you have
a trade counter?
Yes. Our trade counter is available for walk-in
purchases and collections.
You can also pre-order your goods for
collection, helping to save time when you arrive.
Can I get
advice before ordering?
Yes. That's what we're here for.
If you're unsure about the product,
specification, compatibility, colour or quantity you need, contact the Sealfix
team before ordering.
Tell us what you're working on and what you
need the product to do, and we'll help where we can.
Can I order
something that isn't on your website?
If you can't find the product you're looking
for, contact us. We may be able to source it for you or recommend a
suitable alternative.
How long is
a quotation valid for?
Our sales orders and quotations are generally
valid for 7 days, unless otherwise stated.
Returns & Customer Service
What is
your returns policy?
Please contact us within 7 days of ordering
if you wish to return an item.
If goods are faulty or have been supplied
incorrectly, please notify us as soon as possible so we can investigate and
resolve the issue.
For other returns, goods must be returned to
Sealfix at the customer's cost and must be properly packaged and returned in a
saleable condition.
What should
I do if I receive the wrong or damaged product?
Contact us as soon as possible with details of
the issue. We'll investigate the problem and advise you on the next steps.
Need
Help Choosing a Product?
Not sure
which product is right for your application?
With a large range of sealants, adhesives,
PU foams, glazing products, fixings, tools and plastics, choosing the right
product isn't always straightforward.
Our experienced team is here to help.
Tell us:
- What
materials you are working with - What
you are trying to seal, bond or fix - Whether
the application is internal or external - Whether
there will be movement - Any
specific requirements such as colour, paintability or weather resistance
We'll help you identify a suitable product for
your application.
Can't find the answer you're looking for?
Contact Sealfix Limited and speak to our team.