How to choose a suitable seam sealer for wood and log cabins

they have significant drawbacks With all the advantages of wood houses - they periodically need to caulk.Some frequently, others less, but the natural shrinkage affects all blanks (timber, beams, boards), irrespective of the processing technology and products of wood.And when you consider that many of the elements of the design of any building made of wood (eg, truss system, doorways), the emergence of various cracks, crevices, gaps are not insured by any one building, from which it had not been erected.

sealing surfaces pursues two objectives - reduction of heat loss and exclusion of moisture penetration from outside.Traditional materials for sealing, caulking seams (oakum, moss and a number of others) are able to perform only one function - on warming.That is why commercially available sealants for wood are considered to be a universal means of protection of buildings from external factors.The most effective is considered exterior trim of the house.

to suture a heater

• Requirements Resistance to extreme temperatures, as well as their differences.
• ability qualitative "coupling" with building (finishing) materials (adhesion).
• Minimal (or no) absorption of liquids.
• Ease of use.
• long life.

Types sealants

It should be noted at once that there is no clear division between the representatives of these products in their properties.For many of them are sealants for wood are similar, the only difference is that some characteristics can be expressed more "bright", or use the range - wider (eg, temperature).

Silicone (transparent)

Besides high strength, such compositions are resistant to aggressive chemical compounds and the influence of the atmosphere.It is also important that they are neutral and UV.These qualities ensure their effectiveness in carrying out external works.Good adhesion (reliability "coupling") with the majority of materials allows to seal joints between dissimilar materials.The elasticity of the compositions and their ability not to lose their properties at temperatures from -50 to +140 ° C significantly increases the period of maintenance-free operation of buildings.

Waterproof

As a rule, used purposefully - to seal joints around air ducts, chimneys, sheets (leaves) of roofing material and the like.It is advisable to use when processing places slopes installation, casings and other parts of the house, where there are structural elements of wood.Typically, these adhesives are composed of a variety of additives that protect the material from rotting.

If you choose to look at the "equity" ratio of the components.More quality (in terms of resistance to water) is considered a product in which silicone more.Incidentally, this applies to such characteristics as tensile strength.

approximate cost of 1 package (tube) in 310 mL - 65 rubles.

Acrylic

As a rule, used for the treatment of fixed surfaces (connection points), since all of its remarkable properties is not enough flexible.If the shrinkage process is not yet completed (the structure of no more than 4 - 5 years), the use of such compounds does not make sense, since the sealing reliability will eventually be broken.

is advisable to plug the gap, a crack in the board, the balance beam.It is convenient to process the joints in the sill area around openings (doors, windows).However, such sealants do not "love" the temperature below -15 0 C, so you should take into account the peculiarities of the climate in the region.

The advantage is that such compositions are well "hold" a layer of applied paint.Moreover, they are already commercially available with different color schemes (dye addition in the production stage).Therefore, we can choose the appropriate shade location processing if desired.

Price package starts from 310 ml of 70 rubles, as the value strongly influences the color of the sealant.The cheapest - black.

In conclusion, it is worth mentioning, and products such as "Start", "Brownie", "Maxidom", "Warm seam."According to user feedback, they are pretty well-proven.

for sale, there are some other types of sealants, such as polyurethane, bitumen.Some of them are also suitable for the treatment of wood.

no sense to buy sealant in tubes for external finishing the house (caulking) - you will need them too much.The compositions are sold in more capacious containers - 5, 10 l.For example, for an acrylic 7kg have to pay about 1900 rubles (1 kg - from 270 rubles).It would be enough for 45 - 50 rm

Useful tips

• Wood differs from many other materials that rot.When choosing for her sealant (given its large range) should focus on the production, having in its composition special ingredients to prevent the appearance of mold and mildew.
• Masters practitioners argue that it makes no sense to make a choice in favor of imports of sealants.Their higher cost is not an indication of better quality.The price includes components such as transportation costs, customs duties, various "cheat" Suppliers throughout the supply chain.Experience of domestic formulations indicates the high quality of the respective products of Russian origin.Especially as the basis for all analogs are the same components.
• We must bear in mind that the correct choice of hermetic and compliance with the rules of working with him, he could serve 20 years - 25. With this in mind, it is not necessary to save on these formulations, getting on the principle "if only cheaper".
• If you still have the desire to use only imported products, you should read the terms of its application and operation.Not all foreign-made sealants are adapted to the harsh conditions of the Russian winter, and for this reason can be a good "hit" by spending money and do not get the expected results.
• is necessary to pay attention to this figure as an expense (1 MP).Choose a sealer for wood needed, focusing, in particular, and on the size of cracks, joints, gaps.