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Expansion joints are designed to accommodate the natural movement of a building. However, if these joints are not properly sealed, they become prime entry points for water and debris.

The Limits of Silicone

While silicone is highly flexible and UV stable, it has poor tear resistance. If a sharp object or extreme stretching nicks a silicone seal, the entire joint can unzip rapidly.

The Superiority of Polyurethane (PU)

Polyurethane sealants offer the perfect balance of flexibility and mechanical toughness. At Sichern Engineering, we highly recommend heavy-duty PU sealants for commercial applications because:

• Abrasion Resistance: PU sealants can survive heavy foot and vehicular traffic without degrading.
• Paintability: Unlike silicone, which repels paint, polyurethane sealants can be painted over to match the surrounding architecture seamlessly.
• Adhesion: PU provides superior bonding strength to porous materials like brick, concrete, and unglazed tiles.

For large-scale construction joint sealing, Fosroc and Ultratech Polyurethane solutions distributed by Sichern Engineering remain the industry benchmark.