The Advantages Of Using TPV Santoprene For Your Window And Skylight Weather Seals
Anybody involved in the manufacture of windows and skylights knows that choosing the right materials for the job is vital, and windows and skylights made of inferior materials simply won't stand up to long-term use. However, the importance of using the right materials doesn't just extend to the types of glass and framing materials you use. The materials used to create the built-in seals that keep out the rain and wind are just as important.
In previous years, most windows were weather sealed using neoprene or EPDM rubber, but these materials do have their shortcomings. More and more window manufacturers are choosing TPV Santoprene to create weather seals for their windows and skylights, and this unique, synthetic vulcanised rubber has a number of advantages over lesser materials that make it a excellent sealing material.
What are the advantages of using TPV Santoprene to create weather seals for windows and skylights?
Long-term Durability
TPV Santoprene is incredibly durable and long-lasting, and can be expected to keep your windows and skylights properly sealed for decades with no need for repairs or maintenance. It is particularly good at resisting the degrading effects of constant moisture exposure, making it a particularly good option for windows and skylights used in wet climates. Unlike some alternative materials, it is also resistant to corrosion caused by salt spray, a particularly useful quality for windows and skylights installed in coastal properties.
Chemically Unreactive
TPV Santoprene does not react readily to most chemicals, and will not be damaged when exposed to solvent, alcohols or ketones. This makes it a particularly good choice for sealing windows and skylights with uPVC plastic frames, as solvents are often used in their manufacture and may cause damage to the seals as they are installed.
Lightweight
TPV Santoprene is considerably lighter than most other potential weather sealing materials, and a window or skylight sealed with TPV Santoprene will have a lower overall weight. While this reduction in weight may be slight in average-sized windows and skylights, larger picture windows can see a significant reduction in overall weight when sealed with TPV Santoprene, making them easier to install and allowing the use of thinner, less obtrusive frames.
Low Cost
Despite these advantages, TPV Santoprene has low manufacturing costs, and those savings translate to low purchasing prices (particularly when bought in bulk). Switching from EPDM or neoprene to TPV Santoprene can significantly reduce your manufacturing overheads. Since Santoprene can be moulded and extruded using the same equipment as other synthetic rubbers, you will not need to purchase new equipment to create your weather seals.