The Difference Between Caulk and Sealant

There are a lot of people who are under the impression that caulk and sealant are the same thing. However, as any sealant specialist knows, they are slightly different and they serve different purposes. To help you better understand what each of these items are, here is a breakdown of the similarities and differences between caulk and sealant.

The Similarities of Caulk and Sealant

Before we get to the differences, it is helpful to discuss what these things have in common, which turns out to be a lot. For example, both of these products are designed to help fill in any gaps or cracks in various types of building materials. They even tend to be applied in the exact same way by the use of a caulking gun. But this is where the similarities end.

Be aware that sealant can expel incredibly powerful fumes when it is fresh.

The Differences of Caulk and Sealant

The biggest difference between these two products is the fact that caulk is not nearly as flexible as a sealant. This means that caulk is more limited in the areas that it can be used, whereas sealant is able to perform quite well in areas that experience larger changes in temperature.

This doesn’t mean that caulk isn’t as useful as a product. In fact, caulk performs much better in several areas. For example, caulk is able to be painted in order to achieve a greater variation in style, and is also easily cleaned up with water. On the other hand, sealant spills will need to be cleaned using a special solvent or painstakingly scraped away after drying.

Now that you understand these differences, you’ll be better equipped to know which product is best for your particular project. No matter which one you choose, you’ll want to ensure that you are getting the proper maintenance done and recaulking when needed. To have a professional handle this on your behalf, make sure to make contact us at The Grout Specialist.