The housing association has replaced all our windows and doors this summer. I noticed that the carpenters, apparently following HSB's guidelines, filled all gaps with insulation and then followed up with some kind of thin "tube" of foam plastic. On top of that, they applied an elastic white sealant by Bostik that resembled TEC7. The tinsmith uses TEC7 under door and window flashings.
My question is: are there cheaper, equivalent alternatives to these flexible sealants, just like there are cheaper acrylic sealants than the more expensive brands?
My question is: are there cheaper, equivalent alternatives to these flexible sealants, just like there are cheaper acrylic sealants than the more expensive brands?
There haven't been any responses, but I see that over 130 people have read the question. Therefore, I thought it might be useful for someone to hear what I've come to.
TEC7 is based on MS polymer which, if I understand correctly, is what gives this sealant its properties. Among the properties I was looking for, it adheres to almost everything except fatty plastics. Wood, concrete, gypsum, metal, etc. Even when it's damp. It adheres strongly (26 kg/cm2) and remains elastic, like a rubber mass. Today I bought Byggmax's own "Glue & Construction Sealant - all in one" which in the description seems to be exactly the same as TEC7. But it costs 79 SEK instead of 169. Is it as good? We'll see, but they state exactly the same properties and it's based on MS polymer. Last week, the boss bought Biltema's "Multibond" (69 SEK) which also has exactly the same properties. It works perfectly so I think I've found the right one now. At least for my constructions. The professionals, of course, choose TEC7 but I doubt it's more than twice as good considering the price.
TEC7 is based on MS polymer which, if I understand correctly, is what gives this sealant its properties. Among the properties I was looking for, it adheres to almost everything except fatty plastics. Wood, concrete, gypsum, metal, etc. Even when it's damp. It adheres strongly (26 kg/cm2) and remains elastic, like a rubber mass. Today I bought Byggmax's own "Glue & Construction Sealant - all in one" which in the description seems to be exactly the same as TEC7. But it costs 79 SEK instead of 169. Is it as good? We'll see, but they state exactly the same properties and it's based on MS polymer. Last week, the boss bought Biltema's "Multibond" (69 SEK) which also has exactly the same properties. It works perfectly so I think I've found the right one now. At least for my constructions. The professionals, of course, choose TEC7 but I doubt it's more than twice as good considering the price.
What I think makes it worth buying is that it grips immediately compared to cheaper ones. I tried to put up ceiling moldings in the previous apartment, I had the one from byggmax. Moldings didn't stay without support; standing and holding a ceiling molding until it cured properly was not appealing. Then I bought tec7, what a difference. My personal experience.
Good point. I saw that Biltema has a faster variant called Multibond Rapid that does exactly what you're describing. But I haven't tried it yet. How did you find Byggmax's product once it had cured? Was it roughly the same consistency and function as TEC7?JLyck said:
Hi!M Marcus Nielsen said:
I just used Biltema’s BT Multibond Rapid to attach ceiling moldings, worked great, just put it up without further support.
Tip is to prepare two moldings right away that need to meet at a corner, apply sealant to both.
Then mount one, and right after that mount the other.
Since it dries quickly, this way you’ll have the best possible time to make adjustments.
Initially, I used latex joint sealer and hot glue, as the latex joint sealer first came loose. Completely worthless. Unnecessarily messy and just troublesome.
I’ve previously used regular BT Multibond for sealing corners at drywall, between and around wardrobe frames etc.
In our previous apartment, I used regular latex joint sealer and it cracked due to movement when opening and closing the doors.
No problem sealing at all, I use a joint smoother. It’s more messy than regular latex joint sealer, but if you're careful, it's not a problem.
When sealing baseboards, ceiling moldings, trim, etc., I don’t see any point in using anything other than regular latex joint sealer. Latex joint sealer is easier to work with and not as messy, and above all not as expensive.
In my opinion, BT Multibond should only be used where higher movement elasticity is required, like drywall corners, near wardrobes, etc. Rapid should be used where you want bonding without needing support, adhesion right after application (adjustments can still be made).
/Max
Don't know.swealp said:
The only thing I know is that Biltema's is half the price and works really well
Very good feedback! I have now had the chance to test both TEC7, Byggmax Glue & Construction Sealant, and Biltema's Multibond Rapid. I have sealed during the installation of an exterior door, glued various items on interior walls, and attached several window sills to brackets (which were very uneven). My conclusion is that TEC7 doesn't provide better results so far. It remains to be seen how the products are affected over the years, but it shouldn't be a problem with MS polymers. All three have a similar consistency. Rapid adheres quickly and is the one I will continue to use. For the window sills, I applied large enough dabs on the brackets so that their uneven installation was evened out by the sealant. The result is great, and once cured, the sealant provides plenty of support on the brackets where there is now a slightly thicker layer. Outdoors, I tested on damp concrete, and it sticks like a rock.kapten_krok said:
Nice that you're also satisfiedM Marcus Nielsen said:
Sometimes even the wrong theme delivers Used it as an outdoor sealant on the fascia after attachments from a previous awning, worked great there too.Felt compelled to respond in this old thread in case more people have the same question about cheaper alternatives to Tec7.
I have searched around and compared different sealants and written down their properties, then compared them in reality with each other. It started with me feeling "cheated" somehow, that I was paying a lot for a sealant that you can either get cheaper from other manufacturers, or that someone took a product another manufacturer invented and then gained a leading market position through good marketing.
I'm happy to pay a bit more for a good sealant to encourage innovation and reward manufacturers that I think do a good job and have sound values and business ethics. But if I feel deceived by marketing and dubious business techniques, then I don't want to continue supporting such a company.
Anyway, what I've found is that there seem to be as many different opinions on what the various types of sealants should be used for, as there are variants of sealant.
What they have in common is that the general knowledge among both laypeople and professionals is that there is a lack of scientific basis for their recommended applications. Besides what the manufacturers themselves state about which applications the different sealants are suitable for, it seems that the knowledge spreads organically, by sharing one's knowledge of what actually worked for them.
If you then find a good sealant for a certain type of application, you stick with it and continue to recommend that sealant to others looking for a sealant for similar applications.
However, you become less inclined to try other types of sealants for similar applications, since you have previously had good results, and why risk getting a worse result by using a new type of sealant when you know you can get good results from the sealant you've had good results from before?
I was the same way, but nowadays I've started to "gamble" with testing new types of sealants or manufacturers, even if I risk having to redo things. I've found some products and manufacturers that I like, so I gladly support them if it can also help someone save money or achieve a better result in a project.
On Topic:
Looking at Tec7 Adhesive/Sealant's safety data sheet, it states that it contains "trimethoxyvinylsilane." Tec7 Adhesive/Sealant is available in many different colors, but all contain the same mixture excluding their respective pigments.
Dan Lim has a product called DanaSeal Interior Hybrid 521, available in two colors (S 0500-N and S 0502-Y. The one ending in N is more white, slightly gray, but not noticeable by the eye, and the one ending in Y is "antique white"), and according to their safety data sheet, it contains "vinyltrimethoxysilane."
This product is usually between 50-65% cheaper than Tec7.
There is no difference between "vinyltrimethoxysilane" and "trimethoxyvinylsilane." These two terms are simply different ways of expressing the same chemical compound. Both describe a compound with the molecular formula C5H12O3Si, consisting of a vinyl group (CH2=CH-) and three methoxy groups (OCH3) attached to a silicon atom.
So Tec7 Sealant/Adhesive and DanaSeal Interior Hybrid 521 are the same chemical substance (they both have the same CAS number 2768-02-7 and EC number 220-449-8) with potentially insignificantly different concentrations.
Personally, I do not notice any difference between these two sealants, except for the few times I need a transparent or other colored sealant than white.
So in reply to the question; if you want a cheaper alternative, go with DanaSeal Interior Hybrid 521, as long as a white sealant suffices.
I have searched around and compared different sealants and written down their properties, then compared them in reality with each other. It started with me feeling "cheated" somehow, that I was paying a lot for a sealant that you can either get cheaper from other manufacturers, or that someone took a product another manufacturer invented and then gained a leading market position through good marketing.
I'm happy to pay a bit more for a good sealant to encourage innovation and reward manufacturers that I think do a good job and have sound values and business ethics. But if I feel deceived by marketing and dubious business techniques, then I don't want to continue supporting such a company.
Anyway, what I've found is that there seem to be as many different opinions on what the various types of sealants should be used for, as there are variants of sealant.
What they have in common is that the general knowledge among both laypeople and professionals is that there is a lack of scientific basis for their recommended applications. Besides what the manufacturers themselves state about which applications the different sealants are suitable for, it seems that the knowledge spreads organically, by sharing one's knowledge of what actually worked for them.
If you then find a good sealant for a certain type of application, you stick with it and continue to recommend that sealant to others looking for a sealant for similar applications.
However, you become less inclined to try other types of sealants for similar applications, since you have previously had good results, and why risk getting a worse result by using a new type of sealant when you know you can get good results from the sealant you've had good results from before?
I was the same way, but nowadays I've started to "gamble" with testing new types of sealants or manufacturers, even if I risk having to redo things. I've found some products and manufacturers that I like, so I gladly support them if it can also help someone save money or achieve a better result in a project.
On Topic:
Looking at Tec7 Adhesive/Sealant's safety data sheet, it states that it contains "trimethoxyvinylsilane." Tec7 Adhesive/Sealant is available in many different colors, but all contain the same mixture excluding their respective pigments.
Dan Lim has a product called DanaSeal Interior Hybrid 521, available in two colors (S 0500-N and S 0502-Y. The one ending in N is more white, slightly gray, but not noticeable by the eye, and the one ending in Y is "antique white"), and according to their safety data sheet, it contains "vinyltrimethoxysilane."
This product is usually between 50-65% cheaper than Tec7.
There is no difference between "vinyltrimethoxysilane" and "trimethoxyvinylsilane." These two terms are simply different ways of expressing the same chemical compound. Both describe a compound with the molecular formula C5H12O3Si, consisting of a vinyl group (CH2=CH-) and three methoxy groups (OCH3) attached to a silicon atom.
So Tec7 Sealant/Adhesive and DanaSeal Interior Hybrid 521 are the same chemical substance (they both have the same CAS number 2768-02-7 and EC number 220-449-8) with potentially insignificantly different concentrations.
Personally, I do not notice any difference between these two sealants, except for the few times I need a transparent or other colored sealant than white.
So in reply to the question; if you want a cheaper alternative, go with DanaSeal Interior Hybrid 521, as long as a white sealant suffices.
I just want to endorse Hybrid 521.Systema said:
I got curious after reading this and now tried this one instead of Multibond. A big advantage is that it has a whole 30-minute working time before skin formation compared to Multibond's 10 minutes, unbeatable when sealing larger areas. Also, it's less sticky to handle. So, in places where you don't need a bonding effect, this is great. Will switch to this, if it proves to hold up well and not crack over time.
A really good sealant indeed.
Tip; available at Stuvbutiken for 69kr. Bauhaus sells it for 149. I used the price guarantee and paid only 60kr per tube. Cheaper than that is hard to beat, and the price is even below Biltema’s Multibond.
Good thread! I have successfully used tec7 and Biltema Multibond, also bought one of these tubes last time but haven't opened it yet:
https://swe.sika.com/sv/loesningar-...gslim/fog-och-lim/sikaflex-111-stickseal.html
Contains the same substance you mentioned, costs a bit over a hundred.
https://swe.sika.com/sv/loesningar-...gslim/fog-och-lim/sikaflex-111-stickseal.html
Contains the same substance you mentioned, costs a bit over a hundred.
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Interesting thread and good tips. I wonder why they say hybrid 521 is for indoor use only, while tec7 is also for outdoor use...? Tec7 might have additives of biocides?
Edit: even Biltema avoids explicitly saying outdoor. They state multibond has "Good weather and UV resistance."
Edit: even Biltema avoids explicitly saying outdoor. They state multibond has "Good weather and UV resistance."
Hello and welcome to Byggahus!Sabai1 said:
Here we are a large group of private individuals discussing construction and renovation (so you probably came to the wrong place if you're writing as a company)
In this thread where we discuss alternatives to TEC7, it is very appropriate to discuss Biltema's alternative. Do you, @Sabai1, have any personal experience with the product, or do you just want to spread your skepticism and belief that it is not a quality product? Personally, I find the Multibond to be cost-effective and have had good experiences with it.Sabai1 said:
Just wanted to share the knowledge we have about sealants and write as a private person, not mentioning any company.F fribygg said:
We have knowledge in this area since we ourselves produce sealants and have tested almost everything on the market.
You say that Multibond is a cost-effective product, and it surely is, but it cannot be compared to TEC-7. However, it might be perfectly sufficient for what you need it for.