Adhesives, Sealants & Fillers

About Adhesives, Sealants & Fillers

Adhesives, sealants and fillers form the essential backbone of countless construction, renovation and repair projects across the UK. From bonding materials together and sealing joints against moisture ingress to filling cracks and holes before decoration, these versatile products are indispensable for both professional tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you're installing a bathroom, repairing bodywork, mounting fixtures, or preparing surfaces for painting, having the right adhesive, sealant or filler ensures a durable, professional finish that stands the test of time.

This comprehensive category encompasses everything from general-purpose adhesives and specialist bonding compounds to decorators' caulk, expansion foam, wood fillers and industrial-strength sealants. Modern formulations offer impressive performance characteristics including rapid curing times, gap-filling properties, paintability, and resistance to moisture, temperature extremes and UV degradation. Many products now feature low-VOC or solvent-free compositions, meeting stringent UK health and safety standards whilst delivering professional results.

Understanding which product suits your specific application is crucial for achieving lasting results. Different substrates, environmental conditions and load-bearing requirements all influence product selection. Our range includes trusted brands recognised throughout the trade, offering solutions for timber, metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, masonry and composite materials, ensuring you'll find the perfect product for any bonding, sealing or filling challenge.

Jargon Buster

• Curing Time: The period required for an adhesive, sealant or filler to fully harden and achieve maximum strength. This differs from initial tack time and can range from minutes to several days depending on the product formulation and environmental conditions.
• MS Polymer: Modified Silane Polymer technology offering the flexibility of silicone with the paintability of polyurethane. These hybrid sealants are increasingly popular for both interior and exterior applications, providing excellent adhesion without requiring primers on most substrates.
• Thixotropic: A property describing materials that become less viscous when agitated but return to a gel-like consistency at rest. This prevents sagging on vertical surfaces and allows gap-filling without slumping, making application easier and more controlled.
• Open Time: The working window during which an adhesive remains sufficiently workable to allow positioning and adjustment of bonded materials. Exceeding this time compromises bond strength and may require product reapplication.
• Substrate: The surface or material to which an adhesive, sealant or filler is applied. Different substrates (porous, non-porous, painted, galvanised) require specific product formulations for optimal adhesion and performance.
• Movement Accommodation: The ability of a sealant to flex and compress as joints expand and contract due to temperature changes, settling or vibration. Typically expressed as a percentage, this is crucial for maintaining weathertight seals in expansion joints and around windows.

Who Uses Adhesives, Sealants & Fillers?

These essential products serve a diverse range of users across professional trades and domestic applications:

• General Builders & Construction Workers: For fixing, bonding and sealing throughout new builds, extensions and renovation projects
• Decorators & Painters: Preparing surfaces with fillers, sealing gaps with decorators' caulk and ensuring smooth finishes
• Plumbers & Heating Engineers: Sealing pipework, waterproofing wet areas and installing sanitaryware
• Electricians: Fire-stopping cable penetrations and sealing back boxes to meet Building Regulations Part B requirements
• Joiners & Carpenters: Wood adhesives for furniture making, timber repairs and installation work
• Window & Door Fitters: Sealing frames against weather ingress whilst allowing for thermal expansion
• Automotive & Marine Technicians: Specialist adhesives and sealants for bodywork, windscreens and waterproofing
• Facilities & Maintenance Teams: Ongoing repairs, refurbishment and building upkeep across commercial properties
• DIY Enthusiasts & Home Improvers: Tackling repairs, installations and improvement projects around the home

How to Choose the Right Adhesives, Sealants & Fillers

Selecting the appropriate product requires careful consideration of several key factors:

Substrate Compatibility: Identify the materials you're bonding, sealing or filling. Porous substrates like timber and plaster require different products than non-porous materials such as glass, metal or uPVC. Multi-purpose formulations offer versatility, whilst specialist products deliver superior performance for specific applications. Always check manufacturer specifications for substrate suitability.

Environmental Conditions: Consider whether the application is interior or exterior, and the exposure to moisture, UV light and temperature fluctuations. External applications demand weatherproof formulations with UV resistance and movement accommodation. Wet areas require mould-resistant, fully waterproof products. For high-temperature environments near boilers or flues, select heat-resistant compounds rated appropriately.

Load-Bearing Requirements: Structural bonding applications demand high-strength adhesives with appropriate shear and tensile strength specifications. Decorative or non-structural applications can utilise standard-grade products. Check manufacturer data for load ratings and suitability for your specific requirements.

Application Method: Many sealants and adhesives come in cartridges requiring a caulking gun (skeleton, sausage or battery-powered types), whilst others are available in squeeze tubes, tubs or aerosol cans. Consider the scale of your project and accessibility of the application area when selecting product format and dispensing equipment.

Curing and Drying Times: Project timescales influence product selection. Rapid-cure formulations allow faster project progression but offer limited working time. Standard products provide extended open times for complex installations but require longer before overcoating or loading. For time-critical repairs, instant adhesives or quick-setting fillers prove invaluable.

Finish Requirements: If decoration follows application, select overpaintable products. Fillers should sand smoothly without clogging abrasives. Some sealants remain permanently flexible and cannot accept paint, whilst others cure to a paintable surface. Check compatibility with your chosen finishing materials.

Popular Accessories

• Sealant & Caulking Guns: Manual skeleton guns, sausage guns for bulk products, and battery-powered options for high-volume professional use with consistent bead control
• Applicator Nozzles & Tips: Various profiles for different bead sizes and joint configurations, plus extended nozzles for hard-to-reach areas
• Smoothing & Finishing Tools: Profile tools, spatulas and scrapers for achieving professional finishes on sealant joints and filled surfaces
• Release Agents & Masking Tape: Protecting adjacent surfaces and ensuring clean lines during application
• Surface Preparation Materials: Primers, cleaners and degreasers ensuring optimal adhesion on challenging substrates
• Mixing Equipment: Static mixing nozzles for two-part adhesives and epoxy compounds ensuring thorough, consistent blending
• Abrasives: Sanding blocks, paper and power tool accessories for preparing and finishing filled surfaces

Safety Information

Many adhesives, sealants and fillers contain chemicals requiring careful handling and appropriate precautions:

Personal Protective Equipment: Wear suitable gloves when handling chemical products, particularly with solvent-based or two-part formulations. Safety glasses protect against splashes, whilst respiratory protection may be necessary in confined spaces or when working with products releasing fumes. Consult product safety data sheets for specific PPE requirements.

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation when using solvent-based products or those releasing vapours during curing. This is particularly important in confined spaces. Open windows and doors, and consider extraction equipment for professional applications or extended use.

COSHH Compliance: Professional users must conduct COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments before using chemical products on site. Maintain safety data sheets accessible to all operatives, and follow HSE guidance for safe storage, handling and disposal.

Skin Contact & First Aid: Many products cause skin irritation or sensitisation with repeated exposure. Wash hands thoroughly after use, and avoid touching eyes or face during application. In case of contact, follow first aid instructions on product labelling and seek medical attention if irritation persists.

Storage & Disposal: Store products in cool, dry conditions away from ignition sources and out of reach of children. Dispose of empty containers and unused product responsibly according to local authority guidelines. Never pour chemicals down drains or into watercourses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between silicone and acrylic sealant?

Silicone sealants offer superior flexibility, water resistance and durability, making them ideal for wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, though they cannot be overpainted. Acrylic (decorators') caulk is paintable and perfect for filling gaps around skirting boards and architraves, but it's not suitable for permanently wet areas or high-movement joints. For the best of both worlds, MS Polymer sealants provide flexibility with paintability.

How long do I need to wait before painting over filler?

Drying times vary considerably depending on filler type, depth of fill and environmental conditions. Standard interior fillers typically require 2-4 hours for thin applications, whilst deeper fills may need 24 hours or more. Quick-drying formulations can be overpainted within 30-60 minutes. Always ensure fillers are completely dry (colour-matched to surrounding areas) and lightly sanded before decoration to prevent paint defects.

Can I use grab adhesive instead of screws for mounting heavy items?

High-performance grab adhesives and construction adhesives can support substantial loads when used correctly on appropriate substrates. However, for critical safety applications such as mounting wall units, heavy mirrors or bathroom fixtures, many professionals combine adhesive with mechanical fixings for belt-and-braces security. Always check the manufacturer's load ratings and ensure both surfaces are clean, dry and suitable for adhesive bonding.

Why has my silicone sealant gone mouldy in the bathroom?

Standard silicone sealants can harbour mould growth in permanently damp conditions if they don't contain fungicidal additives. Always specify sanitary silicone with anti-mould formulation for bathrooms, showers and wet rooms. Black mould on existing sealant often requires complete removal and replacement with appropriate mould-resistant product, combined with improved ventilation to reduce moisture levels.

What's the best way to remove old sealant before applying fresh product?

Thorough removal of old sealant is crucial for proper adhesion of new material. Use a sharp Stanley knife or dedicated sealant removal tool to cut away the bulk, then apply a chemical sealant remover to dissolve residue. Clean surfaces with white spirit or methylated spirit to remove all traces of old sealant, grease and soap residue. Ensure surfaces are completely dry before applying new sealant for optimal adhesion and longevity.