Often, during the repair process, it becomes necessary to seal seams, gaps and cracks. Acrylic sealant will be the best solution to this problem if you are dealing with wood. It is distinguished by its strength, reliability and durability, and in addition, it is easy to use and available to any consumer..
Specifications
Sealants are indispensable substances for finishing work and for the repair of any structures, including wooden ones. The compositions can be applied at a wide variety of finishing stages, and the sealing effect appears immediately after the mass has hardened..
Special requirements are imposed on sealants intended for working with wood surfaces:
- creation of reliable protection against gusts of wind and drafts;
- minimization of heat loss;
- effective elimination of cracks and crevices in logs and boards;
- durability of the composition – the minimum service life should be 20 years;
- high adhesion to wood surfaces;
- lack of special skills and experience for work;
- the same high quality of the composition both in external and internal works;
- environmental and sanitary safety;
- preservation of decorativeness and aesthetics of wooden buildings;
- preservation of physical and technical parameters during seasonal temperature fluctuations.
Manufacturers these days offer a large selection of wood compositions, however, experts believe that acrylic sealant will be the best option, which is most practical when working with materials of this type..
Peculiarities
Acrylic based sealants adhere well to fibrous and porous coatings, are easy to work with, and at a relatively low cost. Such compositions comply with all hygienic standards, do not emit harmful and toxic substances, therefore, they are recognized as completely safe for use in residential premises..
The scope of application of any building material is due to its main technical features..
Acrylic sealant is characterized by the following properties:
- seam width – no higher than 5 cm;
- the thickness of the seam should not exceed half of its width;
- consumption – a tube weighing 325 ml can be used to seal 5 m joints with a thickness of no more than 6 mm;
- working temperature range – from -40 to +80 degrees;
- the possibility of staining after 21 days after applying the composition;
- solidification rate – up to 30 days at a humidity level of 45-60%;
- setting time with a coating – up to 1 hour;
- frost resistance – up to 5 freeze and thaw cycles.
In addition to these characteristics, it is important to note several more properties of the material that are very important for its use..
Acrylic sealant has special components in its structure that enhance its resistance to mold.. As the experience of using the material by consumers shows, silicone compositions begin to turn yellow after 1.5-2 years after application, while acrylics retain their original color much longer.
The acrylic compound is versatile, and wood is by no means the only type of surface on which it is effective. Substances can be used to work with plastic, laminate, chipboard and other coatings, which is very convenient if during the repair it becomes necessary to process different types of structures.
The composition does not undergo oxidation under the influence of an aggressive environment, it can work in unheated areas even in winter, however, acrylic compositions deteriorate rather quickly under the influence of direct sunlight, therefore, for facade work, such a sealant should be used only as a temporary measure.
Acrylic sealant does not cloud at the end of hardening, therefore, it can be used in situations where work requires the use of colorless compounds – over time it becomes similar to glass and is almost invisible to the human eye.
However, modern industry also offers a large assortment of colored acrylic compounds, which allows you to choose an option that will best combine with the shades of the interior.
Advantages and disadvantages
The undoubted advantage of the acrylic composition is its affordable price – acrylic-based wood putties are several times cheaper than their counterparts, even the most expensive option will in any case be cheaper than silicone compounds.
The material is safe, since no hazardous volatile substances are released upon contact with it. When applying acrylic, there will be no harmful fumes and unpleasant odors, so you can safely apply the composition in closed rooms where there is no opportunity for full ventilation.
The sealant is quite easy to use, any cracks can be quickly and easily repaired with your own hands, and in this case you will not need to contact a specialist. The composition is sold already in a ready-to-use form, so there should not be any difficulties with its use..
The big advantage of acrylic sealant, in contrast to silicone sealant, is the ability to paint it, and this is especially true when it comes to wood..
Moreover, the treated surface after hardening can be sanded, primed and painted, the material, due to its high adhesion, will keep the paint layer in an aesthetic state..
However, acrylic compositions also have disadvantages, among which should be highlighted:
- Low resistance to moisture – according to this indicator, acrylic sealants are significantly inferior to silicone ones. With prolonged contact with water, their physical and technical parameters decrease and the material begins to deteriorate. That is why the compositions are applied in rooms with low humidity, since they will not be effective in a bathroom or shower..
- You should not use the material when sealing systems with increased loads, since regular or periodic, but significant compression or stretching can quickly lead to the resolution of the seams..
- The relationship of acrylic sealants with temperature changes is rather difficult. Manufacturers today have established the production of universal frost-resistant components that can withstand temperatures as low as -80 degrees. However, when used in conditions where fluctuations do not exceed 10-15%, such groutings begin to crack and crumble very quickly, which significantly reduces the area of use of acrylic universal sealant.
Applications
All work on the interior and exterior decoration of the premises, as a rule, is carried out with the use of waterproof and non-waterproof sealants. Experts advise taking them for indoor work, and purchasing specialized frost-resistant compounds for facades..
Non-moisture resistant one-component type sealant is recommended for use in dry rooms with standard humidity parameters. It is commonly used in the installation of wood skirting boards as well as panels.
Acrylic sealant is often purchased for walls, it perfectly seals cracks and seams in floorboards and laminates, and modern manufacturers offer a large selection of sealants that are close in tone to the shades of natural wood.
Due to this property, as well as reliable adhesion, acrylic sealants can be used when working with logs, which in recent years have become especially popular in the construction of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient housing..
In previous years, hemp was used to seal seams and gaps, but such a seal cannot be called high-quality and durable, so the use of such material was gradually abandoned in favor of acrylic sealant.
The material is also ideal for working with a log house, it allows for high-quality finishing cladding. Composition with a natural shade that imitates wood, is often used for finishing and repairing buildings made of profiled timber or for finishing private houses with clapboard or block house.
The sealant is excellent for sealing holes that appear after knots fall out, as well as other defects in the wood coating.
During service, the tree often crumbles, so cracks appear between its individual panels – they can also be quickly sealed with acrylic sealing compounds.
A sealant is bought for fixing ceramic tiles to a wide variety of surfaces., including wood, and this material is easier to use than standard adhesives.
Many experts recommend applying the compound for sealing wooden windows from the outside, but this is a rather dangerous misconception, since the sealant has poor resistance to falling rainwater flows, which can gradually wash it off, and significant temperature fluctuations. For the same reason, it is not recommended for work on the roof, since the roof can heat up to 90 degrees under the scorching sun, and this threshold is critical for acrylic..
Review of popular brands
Perma chink – products of this brand are designed to work with seams over 2.5 cm wide. Such a sealant has good elasticity, which remains throughout the entire period of use..
The material can be applied at temperatures from +5 to + 32 degrees, setting to the surface occurs in 2-3 hours, and for final polymerization it will take up to 8-10 weeks.
The sealant is available in 325 ml tubes or 19 liter plastic buckets and in 11 colors.
Energy-Seal – acrylic-based joint sealant, which is used for sealing narrow joints, whose width does not exceed 2.5 cm.At the end of hardening, it can withstand plastic deformations up to 150% of the original dimensions, it is characterized by increased resistance to fading, as well as strength and vapor impermeability.
It is used at temperatures from 5 to 32 degrees above zero, the setting takes place in 2 hours, and it takes about one and a half months for full adhesion to the coating.
Remmers Acryl 100 – German compound designed for working with joints less than 5 cm wide. It has excellent resistance to compressive and tensile loads, as well as good adhesion and resistance to direct sunlight. The service life of such material is 20 years..
The product is produced in a wide range of colors, numbering 11 shades, applied at temperatures from 15 to 45 degrees. It takes 2 hours to set with the coating, and complete cure in just 7 days.
Eurotex – highly elastic composition, which at the end of hardening withstands deformation up to 200%. This sealant is resistant to UV rays, and also has a wide operating temperature range – from -50 to +70 degrees.
The product is distinguished by ease of use, forms durable and beautiful seams of various shapes, does not shrink or spread. Available in 4 colors.
Zobel – products of another German manufacturer, which, due to the addition of silicone components, acquire increased elasticity and resistance to deformation up to 600%, and also have a high solidification rate. You can paint such a sealant already 20 minutes after hardening..
“EurAcryl” – This composition has found widespread use for the effective sealing of inter-crown joints, as well as window frames and door jambs. As the reviews show, the material has exceptional elasticity, which reaches 500%, can withstand temperatures from -30 to +75 degrees.
Ramsauer Acryl 160 – this composition is often used when it is necessary to seal joints between wooden and concrete surfaces, the setting and formation of a protective film appears already after 15 minutes. After hardening, the mass is characterized by high ductility – elongation to break can reach 500%.
Consumers also highlight sealants “Accent-125” and VGT both high quality and practical.
Acrylic sealants are very often used in everyday life by DIYers. They are distinguished by low cost and availability, but at the same time high efficiency and reliability of the sealing seam..
For the features of using Remmers Acryl 100 acrylic sealant for wood, see the following video.
