
While both will do the job, silicone is the better choice. Slightly more expensive than polyurethane, silicone is the most cost-effective due to its durability. The most common types of sealants are polyurethane and silicone. Choosing a sealant for concrete repair work or building a concrete structure with expansion joints is an important decision.

If left open, these spaces create vulnerability for deterioration due to exposure to water or excessive moisture. The cuts in the concrete that establish expansion joints must be sealed. Using the best option for filling the gaps is vital to the integrity of the concrete slab. Proper planning of the placement of expansion joints includes filling them with the correct material. These joints are typically used in large concrete slabs such as building foundations and concrete driveways. This strategically placed expansion joint aims to prevent cracking and keep concrete looking its best. Concrete joint expansion cuts may also be placed between walls or other types of concrete slabs. These joints are made with cuts through the slab down to the base material in a foundation. Concrete Joint ExpansionĮxpansion joints create a gap between the concrete and other parts of a structure to allow for stress-free movement. Thus, they subsequently have room to expand with temperature changes throughout the life of the structure. The placement of concrete joins allows concrete to shrink during the drying process when first poured. A concrete structure is often made up of slabs separated by strategically placed joints. Joints allow concrete to expand and contract without causing restraint on other pieces of concrete in a structure. This movement can cause the concrete slab or structure to crack, separate, and break. Concrete doesn’t stretch without breaking. Changes in temperature cause concrete to expand and shrink. It’s easy to think that what you build will never move when using concrete. Its high compressive strength and hardness make concrete an excellent choice for construction projects. It’s often poured as a slab for foundations, driveways, and sidewalks. Concrete starts dry, then cement and water bond the material together. It consists of hard, chemically inactive particle based substance-usually sand or gravel, also referred to as aggregate. Concrete is a structural material used in construction.
