The difference between neutral silicone sealant and neutral silicone weathering sealant

Their core difference lies in weather resistance, which directly determines their application scenarios and performance.

Core Summary
Basics: Both are neutral-curing sealants based on silicone polymers, compatible with most building materials and non-corrosive.

Core Difference – Weather Resistance:

Neutral silicone sealants: Primarily meet sealing, caulking, and bonding needs in indoor environments. They are not resistant to harsh outdoor conditions such as long-term exposure to UV rays, extreme temperature fluctuations, and wind and rain. Long-term outdoor exposure will cause rapid aging (powdering, cracking, yellowing, hardening, loss of elasticity, and bond failure).

Neutral silicone weathering sealants: Specifically designed for outdoor and exposed environments. By adding key additives such as UV absorbers, light stabilizers, and antioxidants, and optimizing the formula, they offer long-term resistance to:

UV radiation: Prevents polymer chain breakage that causes powdering, cracking, yellowing, and strength loss.

High and low temperature cycling: Maintains elasticity in extreme cold and heat, without cracking, hardening, or flowing.

Rain, ice, and snow erosion: Maintains good adhesion and sealing, preventing leakage.

Ozone and air pollution: Slows down the aging process.

Typically has higher displacement capacity (greater ability to withstand joint expansion and contraction) and higher elastic recovery (better ability to rebound to its original shape after deformation).

How to choose?

For indoor use in non-humid, non-sunlight locations? For example, gaps between interior door and window frames, baseboards, caulking in non-wet areas, and general bonding of small items. Ordinary neutral silicone sealants are usually sufficient and cost-effective.

For outdoor use in direct sunlight, wind, rain, and large temperature fluctuations? For example:

Sealing joints in building curtain walls (glass, stone, metal)

Sealing joints between doors and windows and exterior walls (especially on the outside)

Roof gaps and skylight joints

Joints in various exterior wall panels (aluminum-plastic panels, cement boards, etc.)

Sunroom frame joints

Exterior bathroom joints (although indoors, the environment is humid and may be exposed to indirect sunlight)

Any sealant that will be exposed to the outdoors for a long time

MUST choose a neutral silicone weatherproof sealant! Ordinary sealants will quickly fail in these areas, causing leakage, debonding, and affecting aesthetics and even structural safety.

A simple reminder: Neutral silicone sealant = interior sealant

Neutral silicone weatherproof sealant = outdoor sealant (or sealant for extremely demanding humid indoor areas)