Types of Sealants Strips Used for Windows and Doors in Your House – Silica Gel Strip and EPDM Both are used in an effort to keep out drafts and moisture, but which of these two materials is most suited to your needs? To help you better evaluate which material might be the best choice for your home, let’s take a closer look at these two materials.
Silicone or EPDM?
The strips are made out of a specialty rubber referred to as silicone. The material is known to be very strong and durable, meaning it can withstand wear and lasts a long time when used in a harsh environment. A benefit of silicone is that it can withstand extremely high and low temperatures. That makes it a great choice for sealing doors and windows — particularly in areas that experience high amounts of sunlight or extreme weather. Alternatively, EPDM strips are composed of synthetic rubber called ethylene propylene diene monomer. EPDM is another great material, although it does not handle heat quite like silicone.
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Silicone and EPDM strips and polyurethane foam product can both seal your doors and windows effectively, but there are several differences between the two that you should keep in mind before making a combination.
High service temperatures are one of the silicone strips' main benefits over rubber strips made of EPDM. So if your door or window receives a lot of direct sunlight or heat, silicone is probably the way to go. Silicone strips also resist UV light and ozone better than EPDM strips, allowing silicone strips to last longer over time without degrading by wearing down.
However, EPDM strips have a more efficient water and moisture resistance. This makes EPDM extremely suitable for sealing doors and windows where moisture is frequently experienced, such as in bathrooms or kitchens. EPDM strips also tend to resist wear and tear better than silicone strips, due to their stronger construction. This means they can last longer in high-traffic areas of your home where doors and windows get opened and closed often.
What You Need to Know About Using Silicone or EPDM to Fill Gaps Pros and Cons
So, let’s start with the advantages and disadvantages of using silicone and EPDM strips for sealing the gaps in your doors and windows.
The flexibility of silicone strips is one of their major benefits. These are flexible in nature and so can squeeze into all the little holes and odd shapes in your door or window frame. This means that even spaces so small that you can barely see them are capable of being sealed up with strips of silicone. Silicone strips are also easy to install as another advantage. These can be trimmed to fit your specific door or window, making installation smooth and easy.
With silicone strips, the downside includes, that although these can be quite more expensive than EPDM strips. Although they can be more expensive up front, they may have a better life cycle cost/value.
However, EPDM strips usually cost less than silicone strips. They are also built to perform exceptionally well in extreme weather conditions whether its snowing or raining, making sure they last longer in adverse conditions. That makes them a solid pick if you want something inexpensive that still works.
EPDM strips, on the other hand, are likely to be relatively stiffer than silicone strips, which may also attribute to its disadvantage. This means they may not nestle as neatly into gaps or irregular spaces around your door or window frame, which may complicate the effort needed to seal those spots.
EPDM or Silicone?
In brief, EPDM polyurethane foam products and silicone strips are great options for sealing and insulating the doors and windows, but have their pros and cons that need to be considered. Silicone strips might be the better choice for you if your door or window is located in a very hot place with a lot of sunlight. But if your door or window is often in wet areas or frequently opened and closed, EPDM door strips may be the wiser option.
We offer silicone and EPDM strips at RONGHE. Chrome plated aluminum tension section of double sliding door, wall side mounted. We have high-quality materials for our strips, and our customer team is ready to help you select the best item for your needs! With the appropriate materials applied, you can keep your home nice and dry!